Almost everyone has a favorite movie or show, so this topic gets students talking fast. Share your own favorites too — the goal is a real two-way conversation, not a test.
⏱ About 60 minutes🎯 All levels (questions are leveled)📋 No prep — tap 🔊 to hear any phrase
Before you start tutor prep
Open this page and turn on your camera and microphone before the student joins.
Have a movie or TV show of your own ready to share — a favorite, plus something you watched recently.
Keep a pen and paper (or a notes window) handy to jot down new words your student wants.
Plan to talk about half the time. Ask a question, listen, then add your own answer.
Tap the 🔊 button next to any phrase to play clear English audio for your student.
Mindset: Your job is to help the student speak, not to speak perfectly yourself. Smile, slow down, and let silences breathe — give them time to find the words before you jump in.
1 · Warm-up 5 min
Start light and friendly. Let the student warm up their English with easy, familiar questions.
Do you like movies or TV shows more?
What did you watch recently?
Do you watch on a phone, a computer, or a TV?
Do you watch alone or with family and friends?
Tip: If the student gives a one-word answer, gently ask "Why?" or "Tell me more." Keep your own answers short here so they get the most talking time.
2 · Key words & phrases 8 min
Read each word aloud, tap 🔊 so the student hears it, and have them repeat it. Then ask them to make one sentence with a word they like.
movieI watched a great movie last night.
TV showMy family watches a TV show together every weekend.
seriesThis series has five seasons.
episodeI watched three episodes in one night.
actorMy favorite actor is in this movie.
characterThe main character is very funny.
comedyI love a good comedy after a long day.
actionAction movies have a lot of fighting and car chases.
scaryThat horror movie was too scary for me.
funnyThe ending was so funny that I laughed out loud.
"My favorite show is ___"My favorite show is a cooking competition.
"It is about ___"It is about a family that runs a small restaurant.
Tip: Don't drill all the words like a list. Pick a few, use them in a real question, and let the words come up naturally while you chat.
3 · Read & talk 8 min
Read this together. You take A, the student takes B, then swap roles. Tap 🔊 on any line the student finds tricky.
A:
Have you watched anything good lately?
B:
Yes! I just finished a new series. It is so good.
A:
Oh, what is it about?
B:
It is about a chef who opens a small restaurant. It is a comedy.
A:
Nice! Is it funny the whole time?
B:
Mostly, yes. The main character is really funny, but the ending made me cry.
A:
That sounds great. How many episodes are there?
B:
Just eight. You can finish it in one weekend.
A:
Perfect. I will watch it tonight. Thanks for the tip!
B:
You are welcome. Tell me what you think after you watch it.
Tip: After reading, ask the student to recommend a real show to you using the same lines: "What is it about?" and "How many episodes are there?" Then react like a real friend.
4 · Let's talk 12 min
Pick questions that fit your student's level. Answer some yourself too — they love hearing about your favorites.
BEGINNER
What is your favorite movie or show?
Do you like comedy or action?
When do you usually watch TV?
Who do you watch with?
INTERMEDIATE
What kind of movies do you enjoy, and why?
How often do you watch shows in a week?
Do you prefer to finish a whole series quickly, or watch one episode at a time?
Is there a show your friends love that you don't like?
ADVANCED
How have your TV habits changed since you were a child?
Do you think people watch too much TV today? Why or why not?
What makes a movie truly memorable for you?
Do streaming apps make watching better or worse than old-fashioned TV?
Tip: When a student uses a wrong word, repeat their sentence back correctly in a natural way instead of stopping to explain a grammar rule. Keep the conversation flowing.
5 · Going deeper 10 min
Push for longer answers. Ask "Why?" and "Can you give me an example?" to stretch their speaking.
BEGINNER
Tell me about one movie you love. What happens in it?
Who is your favorite character? Why?
Is it happy or sad?
INTERMEDIATE
Describe the plot of your favorite movie in a few sentences.
Have you ever watched a movie that was based on a book? Which was better?
Would you recommend it to me? Why?
ADVANCED
Some say the book is always better than the movie. Do you agree?
What is a movie that changed how you saw something? How?
If you could remake any old movie, which one would you choose, and what would you change?
Tip: If they describe a plot out of order or get stuck, give them the next word and let them keep going. Don't break the story to correct small mistakes.
6 · Activity — describe a movie 10 min
A fun guessing game that gets the student speaking in full sentences.
The student thinks of a famous movie but does not say its name.
They describe it: the type of movie, the characters, and what happens.
You ask questions and try to guess the movie.
When you guess it (or give up), swap roles — now you describe one and the student guesses.
It is a ___ movie.
It is about ___.
The main character is ___.
At the end, ___ happens.
I think you will like it because ___.
Tip: Choose movies you both might know — superhero films, animated classics, or famous comedies work well across cultures. Keep your guesses out loud so the student hears more English.
7 · Wrap-up 5 min
Ask the student to name one new word they learned today and use it in a sentence.
Ask them to recommend one movie or show for you to watch this week.
Give one piece of warm, specific praise ("Your description of the plot was really clear!").
Set a tiny homework task: watch five minutes of a show in English and tell you about it next time.
Tip: End on a high note. The last feeling the student has should be that English was fun and that they did well today.
🧭 Tutor notes
BEGINNER
Stick to simple words: movie, like, funny, scary. Accept short answers and praise them warmly.
Use lots of yes/no and "or" questions ("Comedy or action?") to lower pressure.
Model full sentences for them to copy.
INTERMEDIATE
Push for reasons: always follow an answer with "Why?" or "Tell me more."
Introduce a few new words (genre, recommend, plot) only if they come up naturally.
Let small errors slide; correct only what blocks meaning.
ADVANCED
Aim for a real debate — share opinions and gently disagree to spark discussion.
Encourage longer, connected answers using "because," "however," and "for example."
Note two or three advanced phrases at the end for them to keep.
Most important: This is a conversation between two people who like movies, not a test. If the student is laughing and talking, the lesson is working — follow their energy and their favorite shows wherever they lead.
