Learn English with The Bad Guys

More film and television lessons

Hibiscus Teach · Cartoons

The Bad Guys

What Does Helping Actually Look Like?

Notice what another person needs, offer specific help and respond to appreciation.

B1 English target60-minute lesson target

Ages 13+ target; exact footage must pass screening.

Created by , British English teacher.

How to Be Good

Professor Marmalade gives the group practical exercises in helping other people.

Watch for: Why do the first exercises go wrong?

Original source

Clip A quiz: 6 questions

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

1. What is Marmalade trying to teach the group?
2. What is Snake given to share?
3. How does Snake respond to the sharing task?
4. What task is Piranha given next?
5. What animal is used in the simpler rescue example?
6. What does Marmalade want them to do with that animal?

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB1 · An -ing clause after a preposition
“it's about putting someone else's needs ahead of your own”

Clip 1, quotation excerpt

After about, use an -ing clause to name the activity. Someone else’s needs are prioritised; your own stands for your own needs.

New practice based on the quote: New practice: “Sharing is about ___ other people’s needs.”

Useful English

Would this help you?

You say: Offer to carry a heavy bag.

One possible response

Would it help if I carried that bag?

Let’s try something simpler.

You say: Suggest starting with one small box.

One possible response

Let’s try something simpler: one small box.

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 exercise would be easiest to explain clearly?

    Help me start

    The… exercise because…

    Show an example

    The sharing exercise is easy to demonstrate with two people.

  2. How can help be well-meant but unhelpful?

    Help me start

    It can be unhelpful when…

    Show an example

    It can be unhelpful when nobody asks what the person needs.

  3. Offer help and check the other person’s preference.

    Help me start

    Would it help if…?

    Show an example

    Would it help if I carried the bag, or would you prefer me to open the door?

Mr. Wolf's First GOOD Deed

During the event, Wolf unexpectedly helps a woman who is losing her balance.

Watch for: What surprises Wolf about her response?

Original source

Clip B quiz: 6 questions

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

1. What problem does the woman have?
2. What does Wolf do?
3. What does he ask her afterwards?
4. How does she respond to him?
5. What visible reaction does Wolf have to the praise?
6. Why is this moment different from being feared?

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB1 · Enough for a possible result
“this might just be enough”

Clip 2, quotation excerpt

Might leaves sufficiency uncertain. Enough to + verb states the result it could enable; too + adjective describes an excess that can prevent a result.

New practice based on the quote: New practice: “The rescue might be ___ to change their opinion.”

Useful English

Are you all right?

You say: Check on someone who nearly fell.

One possible response

Are you all right?

Thank you; that really helped.

You say: Thank someone for explaining a difficult step.

One possible response

Thank you; that explanation really helped.

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 part of the woman’s response matters most?

    Help me start

    The… matters because…

    Show an example

    Her thanks matters because she responds to what he actually did.

  2. What small help do you appreciate?

    Help me start

    I appreciate it when…

    Show an example

    I appreciate it when someone gives clear directions.

  3. Offer a small practical favour and thank your partner.

    Help me start

    Would it help…? / Thank you…

    Show an example

    Would it help if I opened the door? Thank you; that really helps.

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. Check that your offer matches the person’s need.
2. A task is too difficult. Suggest a smaller beginning.
3. Someone nearly falls. Check on them.
4. Thank someone for an explanation and identify its benefit.
5. Complete: We have one table, so we need to ___.
6. Distinguish an observed reaction from an unsupported certainty.

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 is different about planned helping and unexpected helping?

    Help me start

    In training…; in the event…

    Show an example

    In training the task is explained; at the event Wolf notices a need.

  2. What should you ask before helping with someone’s work?

    Help me start

    Ask whether…

    Show an example

    Ask whether they want practical help or an explanation.

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

    Private Role A

    You are arranging a classroom. You need the light chairs moved, but the box marked FRAGILE must stay where it is. Ask your partner for help without revealing everything at once.

    Private Role B

    You arrive early and offer help. You can carry chairs but have only five minutes. Ask which tasks matter most and what should not be moved.

    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: Could you help for a few minutes? B: Yes. Would it help if I moved these chairs? A: Yes, but please leave the box. It is fragile. B: Are these all safe to use? A: This one is broken. B: I’ll put it aside and bring another.

    Try again: One chair is broken. Change the task so the room is ready without using it.

1–2 minGrammar masteryB2 · If I were you
“I would be too if I were you”

Clip 2, quotation excerpt

If I were you imagines another person’s position. Were here marks a hypothetical perspective, not a past event.

What does were contribute to the speaker’s response?

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