Learn English with Up in the Air

More film and television lessons

Hibiscus Teach · Movies

Up in the Air

What Makes a Goal Worthwhile?

Explore another person’s priorities, compare criteria and discuss a goal without dismissing it.

B2 English target60-minute lesson target

Adults: flirtation, sexual innuendo, coarse language and gender stereotypes. Treat loyalty programmes as fictional dialogue context, not current travel or financial advice.

Created by , British English teacher.

Cheap Is Our Starting Point

Ryan and Alex compare the details of their frequent-traveller lives as they get to know each other.

Watch for: What counts as impressive in this conversation?

Original source

Clip A quiz: 6 questions

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

1. What common interest drives Ryan and Alex’s conversation?
2. What do they compare near the start?
3. What practical feature does Alex value in a rental car?
4. What hotel touch does Ryan admit enjoying?
5. What object particularly impresses Alex?
6. How does Ryan respond when Alex worries about cheapening their relationship?

Useful English

Which benefit matters most to you?

You say: Ask which feature matters most when choosing accommodation.

One possible response

Which feature matters most to you?

I can see the appeal, although my priorities differ.

You say: Acknowledge someone’s enthusiasm for a premium service.

One possible response

I can see the appeal, although my priorities differ.

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 of their travel criteria would matter to you?

    Help me start

    Choose one practical benefit.

    Show an example

    Reliable navigation would matter more to me than an impressive membership card.

  2. Can a small perk influence a decision more than expected?

    Help me start

    Use an invented example if preferred.

    Show an example

    A friendly welcome can make two otherwise similar places feel different.

  3. Acknowledge a preference you do not share.

    Help me start

    Recognise the appeal; state your own criterion.

    Show an example

    I can see why you like the upgrades. My priority is a direct route.

The Miles Are the Goal

Natalie asks Ryan why he is accumulating so many frequent-flyer miles.

Watch for: Is he collecting miles to use them, or for another reason?

Original source

Clip B quiz: 6 questions

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

1. What does Natalie initially assume the miles are for?
2. What does Ryan say is the goal itself?
3. What total does he identify?
4. Why does he compare the achievement with walking on the moon?
5. Which benefit does Ryan mention for reaching the target?
6. What would Natalie prefer to do with a large mileage balance?

Useful English

What would reaching that target mean to you?

You say: Ask why completing a difficult course matters to someone.

One possible response

What would completing the course mean to you?

How will you know whether the effort was worthwhile?

You say: Ask how a team will judge a long project’s value.

One possible response

How will we know whether the effort was worthwhile?

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 difference in their priorities is clearest?

    Help me start

    Collection or experience.

    Show an example

    Ryan values the total and recognition; Natalie imagines using the miles to go somewhere.

  2. What makes a measurable goal useful, and what can it miss?

    Help me start

    Give one benefit and one limitation.

    Show an example

    A number shows progress, but it may not tell us whether the activity is enjoyable.

  3. Ask about someone’s goal without belittling it.

    Help me start

    Ask what it means and what it costs.

    Show an example

    What would reaching that milestone mean to you, and what would you need to give up?

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 disagree with a colleague’s preferred hotel. Which response acknowledges their criterion and introduces your own?
2. Which question asks about meaning rather than just the size of a target?
3. Which sentence states a trade-off?
4. You want to check the practical value of a perk. Which question does that?
5. A friend’s target seems unusual. Which reply invites explanation without ridicule?
6. Which progress review considers more than a number?

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 does Ryan discuss rewards differently with Alex and Natalie?

    Help me start

    Compare shared enthusiasm with questioning.

    Show an example

    With Alex, benefits create common ground; Natalie asks what the total is actually for.

  2. Choose two criteria for a worthwhile personal project.

    Help me start

    Include a result and an experience.

    Show an example

    I would consider what I learn and whether the final result helps someone.

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

    Private Role A

    You organise a weekend learning trip. Your main aim is a recognised certificate, and you can attend either Friday or Saturday. You have not told your partner why the certificate matters.

    Private Role B

    You plan the same trip with a colleague. You mainly want hands-on practice; you can attend Saturday only. You know one option includes a Friday certificate assessment and another has a Saturday workshop without a certificate.

    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: Which part matters most to you? B: I want practical experience, and I can only attend Saturday. A: The certificate matters for my application. Is there an option that covers both? B: The workshop has no certificate, but we could ask about a separate assessment. A: Good idea. Let’s check that before booking.

    Try again: The Friday assessment becomes available online. Reassess the plan rather than repeating the earlier compromise.

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