Learn English with About Time

More film and television lessons

Hibiscus Teach · Movies

About Time

Notice the Day You Already Have

Compare two perspectives on an ordinary experience and agree a small, realistic shared activity.

B1+/B2 English target60-minute lesson target

Adult-oriented film with grief, sexual jokes and possible strong language. Keep reflective tasks optional and non-therapeutic; do not require disclosure of bereavement.

Created by , British English teacher.

Live Every Day Twice

Tim tries his father’s suggestion of experiencing an ordinary day a second time.

Watch for: What changes when he pays attention differently?

Original source

Clip A quiz: 6 questions

Answer about this clip. Replay when you need to. Choose one answer for each question.

1. Whose advice does Tim try?
2. What is the first part of the approach?
3. What is the second part?
4. Which everyday exchange is shown again?
5. What does Tim invite another person to notice?
6. How does his judgment of the day change?

Useful English

I was so focused on the problem that I missed the good part.

You say: Explain that you missed a friendly gesture while worrying.

One possible response

I was so focused on the delay that I missed the person trying to help.

What did you notice the second time?

You say: Ask what changed during a second viewing.

One possible response

What did you notice when you watched it again?

Keep talking: 3 questions

Speak before opening the help or example. With a partner, ask a follow-up. On your own, say your answer aloud.

  1. Can two people describe the same ordinary day differently?

    Help me start

    Yes, because…

    Show an example

    Yes, because they may focus on different moments and expectations.

  2. What small feature of a familiar place do you usually overlook?

    Help me start

    I rarely notice…

    Show an example

    I rarely notice the pictures in the corridor because I am usually rushing.

  3. Describe an ordinary task once as a difficulty and once more neutrally.

    Help me start

    At first…; another way…

    Show an example

    At first I thought the queue was a waste of time. Another way to see it is a chance to finish reading a short article.

An Extraordinary Ordinary Life

Tim explains how his approach changes again as he continues everyday family life.

Watch for: Why does he no longer feel the need to repeat each day?

Original source

Clip B quiz: 6 questions

Answer about this clip. Replay when you need to. Choose one answer for each question.

1. What does Tim say he now does about travelling back?
2. What does he try to appreciate?
3. What kind of life is shown around the narration?
4. Does he say everyone can literally use his fictional ability?
5. What replaces the need to redo the day?
6. How does this develop the earlier advice?

Useful English

I would like to make more time for this.

You say: Say that you want time for a short daily walk.

One possible response

I would like to make more time for a short walk.

It does not have to be special to be worth noticing.

You say: Explain why an ordinary shared lunch matters.

One possible response

It does not have to be a special occasion to enjoy lunch together.

Keep talking: 3 questions

Speak before opening the help or example. With a partner, ask a follow-up. On your own, say your answer aloud.

  1. What ordinary activity would you like to give more attention to?

    Help me start

    I would like…

    Show an example

    I would like to enjoy lunch without checking messages constantly.

  2. How can you make a small change without planning a perfect day?

    Help me start

    Choose one…

    Show an example

    Choose one realistic action rather than controlling the whole day.

  3. Invite someone to share a simple activity this week.

    Help me start

    Would you like…?

    Show an example

    Would you like to take a short walk after class on Thursday?

Mastery: use your English

Apply language and ideas from both clips in new situations.

Mastery: 6 questions

Use the English in a new situation. Choose one answer for each question.

1. Which sentence compares two views without denying the difficulty?
2. Which plan is concrete and manageable?
3. Which question invites a new observation?
4. Which sentence uses make the most of naturally?
5. Your friend cannot join a long outing. Which reply adapts rather than pressures?
6. Which reflection identifies a specific change in attention?

Put it all together: speaking

Use English from both clips. Start with the two short questions, then take a private role each. On your own, practise both roles.

  1. What remains similar when Tim changes his method?

    Help me start

    The interest in…

    Show an example

    The interest in ordinary moments remains even when he stops repeating days.

  2. What makes a small shared plan more likely to fit real life?

    Help me start

    Agree the…

    Show an example

    Agree the time and duration, and leave room for another day if necessary.

  3. Can you reach a workable outcome together using the two private role cards?

    Private Role A

    You want a relaxed shared activity after a busy week. You have twenty minutes on Friday but no money for a restaurant.

    Private Role B

    You can meet Friday, but need to be at the station by six. A park lies between the meeting point and station. Ask about time before suggesting the route.

    Open only your own role card. Share its information by speaking, without showing the card.

    Help me start

    Discover the missing information; explain your constraint; respond to your partner; agree on a practical next step. Use language from both clips.

    Check your conversation

    • Complete the practical goal on both role cards.
    • Use at least three target items naturally, including language from each clip.
    • Ask a relevant follow-up and respond to information you did not know.
    • End with a clear agreement, next step or summary.
    Show an example

    A: I would like to make time for a short catch-up. B: I have twenty minutes before my train. A: Could we walk through the park? B: Yes, if we finish at the station. A: And if it rains, we can sit in the covered waiting area.

    Try again: It rains. Choose an equally short, inexpensive alternative without treating the changed plan as a failure.

Original teaching activities: Hibiscus Teach. Film and television clips belong to their respective owners.