Learn English with Madagascar

More film and television lessons

Hibiscus Teach · Cartoons

Madagascar

Lost Together, Better Together

Describe a mistaken assumption, give directions and agree what matters in a group plan.

B1 English target60-minute lesson target

13+ screening required for comic threats and rude expressions; B1 target, not A2.

Created by , British English teacher.

A Toast to Alex

The friends share food and consider where to go next.

Watch for: What becomes more important than the destination?

Original source

Clip A quiz: 6 questions

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

1. What new food does Alex try?
2. How does he react after tasting it?
3. Who is the toast for?
4. What city do the friends discuss returning to?
5. What does Marty say matters most?
6. What problem do the penguins avoid telling them about?

Useful English

Let’s try it before we decide.

You say: Suggest trying the soup before choosing.

One possible response

Let’s try the soup before we decide.

It matters more who we go with.

You say: Say the company matters more than the place.

One possible response

It matters more who we go with than where we go.

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 try the new food before deciding?

    Help me start

    I would…

    Show an example

    I would try a little first.

  2. What matters most on a group trip?

    Help me start

    For me,… matters more than…

    Show an example

    For me, good company matters more than a famous destination.

  3. Suggest a way to test two possible activities.

    Help me start

    Let’s try…

    Show an example

    Let’s try the short walk before choosing the long route.

On the Beach

The same friends find themselves on an unfamiliar beach and try to work out where they are.

Watch for: What do they assume, and what evidence do they use?

Original source

Clip B quiz: 6 questions

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

1. Where do the friends find themselves?
2. Who needs help getting out of a crate?
3. What place do they think this may be?
4. Who is particularly angry with Marty?
5. What practical step does Gloria propose?
6. Why does hearing music seem useful?

Useful English

We might be in the wrong place.

You say: Say you may have taken the wrong bus.

One possible response

We might have taken the wrong bus.

Let’s find someone to ask.

You say: Suggest asking someone about the entrance.

One possible response

Let’s find someone to ask about the entrance.

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 assumption would you question first?

    Help me start

    I would check…

    Show an example

    I would check whether it really is a zoo.

  2. What do you do first in an unfamiliar place?

    Help me start

    First I…

    Show an example

    First I look for a map or an information desk.

  3. Calm a friend and suggest how to get information.

    Help me start

    Let’s… then…

    Show an example

    Let’s calm down, then find someone to ask.

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 are unsure about your location. Avoid claiming certainty.
2. You need new information rather than another guess.
3. Suggest sampling something before rejecting it.
4. Explain that company matters more than location.
5. Your friend is upset. Invite a pause, then action.
6. You were wrong about a stop. Acknowledge that without blaming others.

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 changes between being lost and planning the next trip?

    Help me start

    At first…; later…

    Show an example

    At first they blame one another; later they value travelling together.

  2. Which two things should a group check before leaving?

    Help me start

    We should check…

    Show an example

    We should check the route and whether transport is available.

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

    Private Role A

    You are leading a day trip. You think you are at the wrong entrance. You have a map showing a second entrance fifteen minutes away. Explain your uncertainty.

    Private Role B

    You know one person has difficulty walking far and a shuttle may leave in ten minutes. Ask about the route before revealing these facts.

    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: We might be at the wrong entrance. The other one is fifteen minutes away. B: Could we find someone to ask about a shuttle? One person cannot walk far. A: Thanks for telling me. Let’s check before we move. B: Staying together matters more than seeing everything.

    Try again: The shuttle is cancelled. Agree a shorter shared activity or a safe split with a clear meeting point.

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