Learn English with Despicable Me

More film and television lessons

Hibiscus Teach · Cartoons

Despicable Me

Can We Agree on the Rules?

Make a polite request and agree simple rules for a shared space.

A2 English target60-minute lesson target

13+ target. Comic menace and rude-noise humour need screening. A2 is an editorial target, not a verified listening level.

Created by , British English teacher.

No Annoying Sounds

Gru welcomes three girls into his home and explains his rules.

Watch for: Which things does Gru want the girls to stop doing?

Original source

Clip A quiz: 6 questions

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

1. Why does Gru start giving rules?
2. What does the first rule concern?
3. Which surface does he say they may touch?
4. When does Gru not want to be disturbed?
5. How does he describe the sound Agnes makes?
6. How does Gru describe the girls to Kyle?

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · Asking permission for your own action
“Can I hold your hand?”

Clip 1, quotation excerpt

Can I asks permission for the speaker to act. Can you asks the listener to do something.

New practice based on the quote: Which new question asks permission for the speaker to sit near the listener?

Useful English

Can I use this?

You say: Ask to use the table.

One possible response

Can I use the table?

Please keep it quiet.

You say: Ask someone to close the door.

One possible response

Please close the door.

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. Which rule is easy to follow?

    Help me start

    The rule about…

    Show an example

    The rule about noise is easy for me.

  2. Where do you need a quiet space?

    Help me start

    I need quiet when…

    Show an example

    I need quiet when I study.

  3. Ask to use something on your partner’s desk.

    Help me start

    Can I…?

    Show an example

    Can I use this pen, please?

Bedtime Story

Later, the girls want Gru to read to them before they sleep.

Watch for: What helps the girls get a story?

Original source

Clip B quiz: 6 questions

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

1. Who says they are tired?
2. What do the girls ask for?
3. What is Gru’s first answer?
4. What animals are in the book he reads?
5. What do the girls explain about the puppets?
6. What do they ask for after the story?

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · Two irregular past verbs
“Then their mother came out and said”

Clip 2, quotation excerpt

Came and said are past forms of come and say. Both describe successive actions in the story.

New practice based on the quote: New practice: “Their mother ___ into the room and ___ goodnight.”

Useful English

Could you help me, please?

You say: Ask someone to read the first line.

One possible response

Could you read the first line, please?

All right, but just one.

You say: Agree to answer just one question.

One possible response

All right, but just one question.

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. Would you enjoy Gru’s way of reading?

    Help me start

    Yes/No, because…

    Show an example

    Yes, because his comments are funny.

  2. What helps you relax in the evening?

    Help me start

    I usually…

    Show an example

    I usually read for ten minutes.

  3. Ask for one small favour and answer politely.

    Help me start

    Could you…? / All right…

    Show an example

    Could you help me with this word? All right, but just one.

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. You want permission to use a chair. What do you say?
2. Someone is making noise while you study. Ask for less noise.
3. Your friend cannot open a box. Offer help.
4. Agree to one game, but not more.
5. You need rest. Complete: I am very ___.
6. Ask someone to read a difficult word for you.

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. How is Gru different in the two clips?

    Help me start

    First he…; later he…

    Show an example

    First he gives rules. Later he reads to the girls.

  2. What two rules would help people share a study room?

    Help me start

    Please… / You can…

    Show an example

    Please keep it quiet. You can talk in the kitchen.

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

    Private Role A

    You need to study from eight to nine. You can share the room, but you need quiet. Do not show your card. Ask what your partner needs.

    Private Role B

    You want to practise reading aloud for ten minutes. You know the kitchen is free until half past eight. Ask for help and suggest a place.

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

    Help me start

    Ask a useful question, share the missing information and agree on the next step. Use a word or phrase from each clip.

    Check your conversation

    • Complete the practical goal on both role cards.
    • Use at least one target item 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: Can we keep this room quiet until nine? B: I need ten minutes to read aloud. Can we use the kitchen? A: Is it free? B: Until half past eight. A: All right. I can help you there first.

    Try again: The kitchen is now busy. Agree a different ten-minute time without dropping the quiet study period.

1–2 minGrammar masteryB1 · Reporting a request
“Can I hold your hand?”

Clip 1, quotation excerpt

Ask to + base verb can report a request to do something yourself. Ask someone to do it gives them the action.

Which report keeps the speaker as the person asking to hold the listener’s hand?

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