Learn English with Liar Liar

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Hibiscus Teach · Movies

Liar Liar

Promise Less, Mean It More

Make realistic commitments, acknowledge a mistake and correct information clearly.

B1+/B2 English target60-minute lesson target

Adults for the source pair. Sexual references and objectifying jokes may appear in Clip A; strong language and slapstick in B. Do not confuse honesty with harassment or require reenactment.

Created by , British English teacher.

A Wish Come True

Max makes a birthday wish after his father fails to keep a promise.

Watch for: What does Max want to change for one day?

Original source

Clip A quiz: 6 questions

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

1. What occasion is Max celebrating?
2. Who has not arrived as promised?
3. What explanation is given for the absence?
4. What new promise is mentioned?
5. What does Max wish for?
6. What change in Fletcher follows the wish?

Useful English

I should not have promised what I could not confirm.

You say: Acknowledge promising a visit before checking your schedule.

One possible response

I should not have promised the visit before checking my schedule.

Here is what I can definitely do.

You say: Offer one action you know you can complete.

One possible response

I can definitely call you at six tonight.

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 is the difference between hoping to do something and promising it?

    Help me start

    A promise…

    Show an example

    A promise gives another person a stronger reason to rely on it.

  2. What makes an apology useful after a missed commitment?

    Help me start

    Acknowledge…

    Show an example

    Acknowledge the missed action and offer something realistic rather than a larger promise.

  3. You missed a call. Apologise and make one definite arrangement.

    Help me start

    I am sorry…; I can…

    Show an example

    I am sorry I missed the call. I can call at six today.

I Can't Lie!

Fletcher tries to prove he can still tell a simple lie, but even describing a pen defeats him.

Watch for: How does he change his method when speaking fails?

Original source

Clip B quiz: 6 questions

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

1. What object does Fletcher use for his test?
2. What false description does he try to give it?
3. What happens when he tries to say the false description?
4. What alternative method does he try?
5. Does the alternative solve the problem?
6. What does he finally acknowledge?

Useful English

The evidence does not match what I said.

You say: Acknowledge that a receipt contradicts your memory.

One possible response

The receipt does not match what I said about the date.

I need to correct my earlier statement.

You say: Correct an incorrect meeting time.

One possible response

I need to correct my earlier statement: the meeting starts at four.

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. Why can a simple fact become difficult to admit after an argument?

    Help me start

    A person may…

    Show an example

    A person may feel embarrassed about correcting a confident claim.

  2. Is changing the wording the same as correcting the information?

    Help me start

    No, because…

    Show an example

    No, because the new wording must actually match the fact.

  3. Correct a low-stakes factual mistake without giving a long excuse.

    Help me start

    I need to correct…

    Show an example

    I need to correct the date I gave you. The event is on Friday, not 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. You have not checked your schedule. Which statement avoids an unreliable promise?
2. Which apology names the missed action and a realistic next step?
3. A written record contradicts your memory. Which response corrects the information?
4. Which phrase means doing what you promised?
5. Which response is truthful without making an unnecessary personal insult?
6. Which confirmation can the other person act on?

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 do the two clips connect honesty with actions rather than words alone?

    Help me start

    A promise…

    Show an example

    A promise needs follow-through, and a correction needs information that matches the facts.

  2. What should you do before making a definite commitment?

    Help me start

    Check…

    Show an example

    Check the time and resources you can actually provide.

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

    Private Role A

    You promised to help prepare a presentation tomorrow but forgot a fixed appointment. You can help for thirty minutes tonight. Apologise and propose only what you can deliver.

    Private Role B

    You need help checking three slides, not the whole presentation. Thirty minutes tonight may be enough. Ask exactly what your partner can do and confirm a time.

    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 am sorry; I promised before checking my schedule. B: What can you definitely do? A: I can help for thirty minutes tonight. B: That may be enough to check three slides. Can we start at seven? A: Yes, seven is confirmed.

    Try again: The thirty-minute slot becomes fifteen minutes. Identify the most important slide instead of making a larger unworkable promise.

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