Hibiscus Teach · Vids · Movies
Casablanca
Who gets on the plane?
Follow the change from giving instructions to persuading someone to accept a painful decision.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Content note: Wartime danger and a reference to a concentration camp. The ending is revealed.
A little context: A plane is preparing to leave. Ilsa expects Rick to be part of what happens next.
Watch each clip, then try its activities.
Study guidance
Pause after each exchange. Give your own spoken answer before opening a model.
Choose one disagreement about the scene and explain which words support your reading.
The vocabulary and model replies are original teaching examples.
Before you watch
- When can giving someone a reason sound kinder than giving an order?
- Imagine saying goodbye at an airport. What might be hard to say directly?
The names on the papers
A plane is preparing to leave. Ilsa expects Rick to be part of what happens next.
First watch: At what point does Ilsa realise what Rick has decided?
English scene guide
Rick arranges the luggage and asks Louis to enter the names on the travel papers. Naming Mr and Mrs Laszlo reveals his decision to Ilsa.
Watch and check · 6 questions
Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.
Answer key and explanations
- Laszlo’s luggage. The first practical instruction concerns the bags.
- Louis. He says this will make the papers more official.
- Mr and Mrs Victor Laszlo. Naming both Laszlos tells Ilsa she is meant to travel with Victor.
- She did not expect this arrangement. Her question signals surprise at being included.
- Stay until the plane gets away safely. He explicitly places himself outside the departing pair.
- Thinking for both of them. He invokes their previous conversation to explain his decision.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB2 · Reporting an earlier instruction
You said I was to do the thinking
New practice inspired by this scene.
Scene connection: The names on the papers
Keep the speaker’s intended meaning when choosing a form.
You say: Give a second example and explain how the meaning changes.
Speaking · 3 prompts
Speak before opening the support. Different answers are possible when you explain your reasons.
How does Rick reveal the decision before he explains it?
Support and one possible answer
One clue is …
He gives both names for the papers. Ilsa works out the implication herself.
Follow-up: Which detail makes your reading persuasive?
Ask for clarification as Ilsa without assuming Rick’s motive.
Support and one possible answer
I would say …
Why is my name on there, and where are you going?
Follow-up: How might the other person respond?
How might Rick phrase the decision if he wanted more discussion?
Support and one possible answer
In that situation, …
I’ve put both your names down. Can I tell you why?
Follow-up: Try again with a different tone.
Rick’s reasons for the farewell
Ilsa now understands that Rick intends to stay behind.
First watch: What future does Rick want Ilsa to imagine?
English scene guide
Rick raises the danger of staying, the importance of Ilsa to Victor and the memories he and Ilsa can keep. His argument moves between risk and affection.
Watch and check · 6 questions
Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.
Answer key and explanations
- She and Rick could be imprisoned. Rick asks her to consider the wartime danger.
- To support his warning with another person’s judgement. Louis refers to what Major Strasser would insist on.
- He may be saying it simply to make her go. She questions whether persuasion is his only motive.
- She helps sustain Victor and his work. Rick gives her a continuing role in Victor’s life.
- The memory of Paris. Paris becomes something they can keep despite the separation.
- Their personal problems are small beside the wider crisis. He places three people’s situation against the scale of wartime events.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB2 · Imagining the cost of staying
if you stayed
New practice inspired by this scene.
Scene connection: Rick’s reasons for the farewell
Keep the speaker’s intended meaning when choosing a form.
You say: Give a second example and explain how the meaning changes.
Speaking · 3 prompts
Speak before opening the support. Different answers are possible when you explain your reasons.
Which of Rick’s reasons is most likely to matter to Ilsa?
Support and one possible answer
One clue is …
The danger is concrete, but her importance to Victor speaks to how she sees herself.
Follow-up: Which detail makes your reading persuasive?
Give Ilsa a reply that questions one reason without dismissing them all.
Support and one possible answer
I would say …
I understand the danger. I still want a say in the decision.
Follow-up: How might the other person respond?
How can a speaker acknowledge love while ending a conversation?
Support and one possible answer
In that situation, …
Name one shared memory without promising something they cannot deliver.
Follow-up: Try again with a different tone.
Listen and repeat
Use these original expressions, then try the You say situation aloud before opening a possible reply.
Can I explain why?
Ask permission to give reasons.
You say: Someone objects before hearing the reason.
Possible reply
Can I explain why I think the later flight is safer?
Say the reply once slowly, then at conversational speed.
What would happen if we stayed?
Explore a consequence.
You say: Two people disagree about leaving.
Possible reply
What would happen if we stayed another day?
Say the reply once slowly, then at conversational speed.
I understand your reason, but …
Acknowledge a point while disagreeing.
You say: Someone has made a decision for you.
Possible reply
I understand your reason, but I’d like a say in the choice.
Say the reply once slowly, then at conversational speed.
I’ll remember that.
Close a conversation warmly.
You say: A friend recalls a day you spent together.
Possible reply
I’ll remember that. It meant a great deal to me.
Say the reply once slowly, then at conversational speed.
1–2 minGrammar masteryC1–C2 · An earlier meeting and a present choice
We’ll always have Paris
New practice inspired by this scene.
Scene connection: Rick’s reasons for the farewell
Keep the speaker’s intended meaning when choosing a form.
You say: Explain the contrast in your own words.
Put it all together
A decision at the departure gate
How can two people discuss danger and duty without taking the choice away from each other?
Role A
You think your colleague should leave now. Offer a reason and admit uncertainty.
Role B
Ask for evidence and explain what staying means to you.
Optional twist: There is time for only one more question.
- Use a hypothetical consequence, acknowledge the other person’s concern and agree who decides.
One possible exchange
A: If you stayed, you might miss the only safe connection.
B: I understand the risk. Why do you think that’s the only one?
A: That’s what the desk told me. Let’s ask together.
Try again: Switch roles. Make the second exchange sound different while keeping the same aim.
Which wording had the strongest effect on your partner?
Tutor notes
- Accept different interpretations when learners can point to a line or a gesture in the excerpt.
- Ask learners to perform the final exchange again after changing one relationship or intention.