Hibiscus Teach · Vids
Learn English with The Social Network
Big Ambitions, Broken Trust
Learn English with two Social Network movie clips. Explore ambition and trust while practising fast dialogue, business vocabulary, listening quizzes and clear, assertive speaking.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Your goal: Evaluate a persuasive pitch and explain a grievance without losing clarity or control.
Content note: Adult business conflict, emotional distress, possible strong language and significant story spoilers. Classroom discussion, not financial or legal advice.
A little context: The film dramatises the development of Facebook and conflict between its founders. Treat Mark, Eduardo and Sean as characters in these scenes, not as evidence about the real people.
On my own: Watch once for the situation. Review the vocabulary, replay for detail and answer the quiz before opening the key. Choose a speaking prompt and answer aloud.
With my tutor: Explain your choices, support an interpretation with a detail, and develop the speaking prompts with reasons or examples.
These words and phrases help you discuss the scenes; not all are spoken in the videos. All definitions, example sentences, practice phrases and speaking models are original teaching material.
Amanda provides American-English vocabulary and phrase practice for these American-English scenes. Keep her approved natural delivery rather than trying to reproduce the actors’ voices.
A Billion Dollars
Sean Parker meets Mark and Eduardo. Notice how he makes a much larger ambition sound attractive.
Listen for: Listen for the difference between a compelling vision and a practical concern.
Watch and check · 6 questions
Choose one answer per question. Questions 5 and 6 use original language examples.
Use the answer key below to check your choices.
Answer key and explanations
- A. A billion-dollar business valuation. Correct. He reframes the scale of ambition.
- B. It could damage what makes the site appealing before its possibilities are clear. Correct. He frames early advertising as a limitation.
- C. He shows enthusiasm and agreement. Correct. His agreement helps establish the appeal of the pitch.
- A. Remove the word “The”. Correct. He recommends a shorter name.
- B. Estimated worth and available money are different things. Correct. Valuation is an estimate of worth, not cash in hand.
- C. The fear limited its progress. Correct. Her fear restricted progress.
Speaking · 3 prompts
Answer aloud with a reason or example. Alone, take both roles in the interaction task. The models offer possible responses.
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Which is more persuasive in Sean’s pitch: the size of the opportunity, his confidence or his imagery? Support your choice with a detail.
One possible answer; not the only correct interpretation
A large ambition catches attention, but a useful image can make an abstract idea memorable. I would still separate the confidence of the delivery from evidence that the plan is realistic.
Optional tutor or solo follow-up: What important question remains unanswered?
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Is an ambitious adviser more useful than a cautious one? Describe a situation where each could help.
One possible answer; not the only correct interpretation
An ambitious adviser can reveal possibilities that a team has overlooked. A cautious adviser can expose weak assumptions. I would prefer them to challenge each other rather than let either attitude dominate.
Optional tutor or solo follow-up: How could a leader make both voices useful?
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Pitch an imaginary service in 45 seconds. Your partner asks about one practical limitation; acknowledge it without abandoning the idea.
One possible answer; not the only correct interpretation
The service connects neighbours who can lend tools to each other. It has potential because occasional users would not need to buy everything. Reliability is a fair concern, so I would start with a small, clearly organised pilot.
Optional tutor or solo follow-up: Try again with a stronger opening and one concrete example.
I Was Your Only Friend
During formal questioning, Eduardo reflects on documents he signed and on his relationship with Mark. Listen for regret and the personal meaning behind a business dispute.
Listen for: Notice the shift from a procedural question to an expression of hurt.
Watch and check · 6 questions
Choose one answer per question. Questions 5 and 6 use original language examples.
Use the answer key below to check your choices.
Answer key and explanations
- C. Had his own lawyer review the documents. Correct. He expresses regret about independent review.
- A. He thought the lawyers involved were looking after his interests. Correct. His retrospective explanation concerns whom he trusted.
- B. To show that the conflict is personal as well as financial. Correct. He gives the dispute an emotional dimension.
- C. A sense of shame and personal disappointment. Correct. It conveys an emotional consequence.
- A. Regret that the speaker did not review it properly. Correct. Should have plus a past participle can express a better past action that did not happen.
- B. He assumed the support would continue without sufficiently appreciating it. Correct. He treated her support as something he could simply expect.
Speaking · 3 prompts
Answer aloud with a reason or example. Alone, take both roles in the interaction task. The models offer possible responses.
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Which matters more in Eduardo’s response: the practical mistake or the damaged relationship? Explain, allowing for both.
One possible answer; not the only correct interpretation
The practical mistake has consequences, but trust changes the meaning of those consequences. A dispute with a stranger may feel different from a dispute with someone whose support you believed you could rely on.
Optional tutor or solo follow-up: Which part of the response supports your interpretation?
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When friends work together, what should they clarify before starting? Give two useful questions without turning the discussion into legal advice.
One possible answer; not the only correct interpretation
I would ask what each person will contribute and how we will discuss disagreements. Clear expectations do not remove the need for trust; they give people a way to notice and address misunderstandings.
Optional tutor or solo follow-up: Which conversation do people tend to postpone?
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A friend presents your joint project as entirely their own. Explain what happened, how it affected you and the correction you would like. Your partner responds; then try a calmer, more precise version.
One possible answer; not the only correct interpretation
When you described the project, my contribution was left out. I felt disappointed because we had developed it together. Could you correct that in the next message and explain which parts we each worked on?
Optional tutor or solo follow-up: Keep the request specific even if your partner becomes defensive.
Listen and repeat
Listen and repeat uses original American-English practice with Amanda, not film dialogue or an imitation of the performers.
The potential is there, but we need a clear plan.
Balance enthusiasm with caution.
What would success actually look like?
Ask for a specific definition of success.
I should have asked more questions.
Express regret constructively.
This is about trust, not just money.
Explain the personal significance of a disagreement.
Vocabulary review · 8 items
Stress the contrast in TRUST, NOT JUST MONEY. In “should have”, practise natural connected speech while keeping ASKED and QUESTIONS clear.
About this lesson
What level is this Social Network English lesson?
The target is B2+/C1. The dialogue can be fast and the implied meaning subtle. Vocabulary, replay, answer explanations and speaking models support the activities.
Can I use these movie clips for business English practice?
Yes. The activities focus on pitching an idea, questioning assumptions, expressing regret and raising a grievance. The fictional business dispute is context for language practice, not professional advice.