The Devil Wears Prada: English Lesson on Feedback

Learn English with The Devil Wears Prada through two conversations about perspective, work and feedback. Practise explaining connections and responding to criticism without losing your own voice.

Before you start: Can someone make a fair point in an unfair way? Give a harmless workplace or classroom example.

Content note: Adult language, cutting criticism, workplace humiliation and possible appearance-related remarks. Use the original 2006 film. Evaluate the communication without adopting the characters’ cruelty.

The Blue Sweater

Andy reacts to a fashion decision that seems unimportant to her. Miranda answers at length.

Watch for: What does Miranda think Andy has failed to notice?

Original source

Clip A quiz · 6 questions

Answer using this clip only. Choose one answer per question, then check your feedback.

1. What prompts Miranda’s explanation?Andy asks which designer first used the colour.Andy reacts as though the fashion choice is trivial.Andy criticises the quality of her own sweater.

2. Which item does Miranda use to make her point personal?A dress that Andy has designed for the magazine.The belts being considered for the outfit.Andy’s blue sweater.

3. How does Miranda describe the sweater’s colour?As an ordinary colour with no particular history.As a specific shade rather than simply blue.As a colour chosen directly by Andy for a runway collection.

4. What route does Miranda describe for fashion choices?Decisions at the high-fashion end eventually reach ordinary shops.The same garment moves physically from the runway to Andy’s wardrobe.Discount shoppers make each individual runway decision.

5. Which of Andy’s assumptions does Miranda challenge?That her own clothing choice is outside the fashion industry’s influence.That a higher price always means a more comfortable sweater.That her employer wants every worker to wear the same shade.

6. What makes the example more pointed than a general lecture about fashion?Miranda uses an example with no connection to anyone present.Miranda invites Andy to judge the whole collection herself.Miranda uses Andy’s own appearance as evidence against her position.

Useful English

Original practice, not film quotations.

There is a connection you may be overlooking.

Introduce a relationship that another person has missed.

Let me explain how those decisions affect this one.

Link an earlier choice to a later outcome.

Discuss this clip

What is the useful argument beneath Miranda’s hostile delivery?

One possible response

The useful point is that apparently independent choices can be influenced by systems we do not notice. The personal humiliation is not necessary to explain that connection.

Nigel’s Response

Andy tells Nigel that her efforts at work are not being appreciated.

Watch for: Does Nigel offer the sympathy Andy expects?

Original source

Clip B quiz · 6 questions

Answer using this clip only. Choose one answer per question, then check your feedback.

1. Why does Andy approach Nigel?She wants Nigel to explain the history of every designer.She is frustrated that her efforts seem unappreciated.She wants advice on choosing between two new job offers.

2. How does Nigel initially respond to her complaint?He challenges it rather than providing straightforward sympathy.He agrees with the complaint and offers to confront Miranda for her.He says that the quality of her effort is irrelevant.

3. What does Nigel think Andy fails to respect?The significance of the work to people who genuinely value it.A belief that nobody outside fashion should ever discuss it.A requirement that she remain in fashion for her entire career.

4. Why does Nigel refer to his own earlier experience?To argue that his childhood experience is identical to Andy’s.To show that appreciation from a supervisor never mattered to him.To illustrate the personal value the magazine had for him.

5. What attitude does Nigel attribute to Andy?Caring more about the magazine than her own professional ambitions.Expecting the position to guarantee a permanent career in fashion.Treating the job mainly as a route to something else.

6. What does Andy ask for after considering his criticism?A promise that the same approach will receive more praise next time.Help making a practical change.Confirmation that there is no useful action she can take.

Useful English

Original practice, not film quotations.

I take your point, but I need a practical next step.

Accept part of a criticism and ask how to improve.

Could you be more specific about what needs to change?

Turn general criticism into actionable feedback.

Discuss this clip

How could Nigel preserve his main point while making his feedback more constructive?

One possible response

He could identify one behaviour that needs to change and offer a realistic first step, rather than dismissing Andy’s frustration as a whole.

Mastery quiz · Use the English in new situations

Apply the language · 6 questions

These six original practice examples apply language from both clips. They are separate from the two listening quizzes.

1. “It is only a poster; there is nothing to learn from it.” Which verb best describes this response?Acknowledge.Influence.Dismiss.

2. Which sentence shows that two decisions are connected?“The shop’s address is difficult to remember.”“The supplier and the shop have no relationship at all.”“The supplier’s change affected the colours available in the shop.”

3. Which response acknowledges a fair criticism without accepting every accusation?“You’re right that I missed the deadline; I disagree that I made no effort.”“Everything you said is wrong because I feel upset.”“I accept that I can never do this job.”

4. A learner calls a short course a stepping stone. What is its role?It prevents them from making progress.It helps them move towards a later goal.It replaces every future learning goal.

5. Which feedback is most constructive?“This is hopeless, and I will not explain why.”“Your introduction is clear; shorten the second section and add one example.”“Everyone else understands, so there is no point asking.”

6. A supervisor says, “Be more professional.” Which reply seeks useful clarification?“Could you be more specific about what needs to change?”“Then the only solution is to abandon the project.”“So you guarantee that the next attempt will be perfect?”

Final speaking

Speak aloud on your own, or discuss with a tutor. Open each model after your first attempt.

1. Compare

Compare the overlooked connection in Miranda’s speech with the overlooked perspective in Nigel’s reply.

Follow-up: Which explanation gives Andy a clearer route to change?

Model and support

Miranda argues that Andy is connected to an industry she thinks she can stand outside. Nigel argues that the same job can mean much more to other people than it does to Andy. Both challenge her perspective, but neither needs to make the criticism so personal.

Check your response:

Use evidence from both clips.
Separate a point from its delivery.
Explain one relevant difference.

2. Evaluate

Can you respect work without wanting to make it your career? Explain how that would look in practice.

Follow-up: Where would you draw a boundary with an unreasonable employer?

Model and support

Yes. A role can be a stepping stone and still deserve serious effort. I would learn what colleagues value, meet the agreed standards and ask for constructive feedback. Respect does not require pretending that the job is my only ambition.

Check your response:

State a position with a reason.
Use stepping stone or make an effort.
Recognise a reasonable boundary.

3. Put it into practice

Discuss feedback on a fictional event report. Agree on two specific changes and a realistic deadline.

Writer

Your two-page event report includes accurate attendance figures, a long background section and no recommendation. You have thirty minutes today and one hour tomorrow. You want useful feedback, not a general judgement about your attitude.

Supervisor

You need a short report for a colleague. Ask for a shorter opening and one recommendation. Start with the vague phrase “make it more professional”, then explain what you mean when asked.

Retry with less support: the supervisor now asks for the revision today, but you have only thirty minutes available.

Model and support

I acknowledge that the opening is too long. I also think the attendance figures are useful, so I would prefer to keep them in a shorter table. Could you be more specific about the tone you want? My next step is to cut the background section and add one recommendation. I can send the revision tomorrow afternoon.

Check your response:

Acknowledge one fair point.
Challenge one vague or unfair claim calmly.
Agree on two concrete changes and a deadline.

Listen and repeat

Practice examples are original English, not quotations or performer imitations. Listen, repeat in the pause, then make your own sentence.

Download practice MP3

About this lesson

What English level is this The Devil Wears Prada lesson?

It is designed for approximately B2 learners. With a tutor, the two clips, separate mastery quiz and final speaking activities form a suggested 60-minute lesson.

Is this lesson only useful for people working in fashion?

No. The speaking tasks practise explaining an overlooked connection, responding to criticism and asking for practical feedback in other settings.