B1 · Consumption
Opinion Phrases
Comparatives
because / so / therefore
SDG 12 — Responsible Consumption · Fast Fashion · Circular Economy
🗣 Language Objectives
Express & justify opinions · Comparatives/superlatives · Cause-effect connectors · Persuasive discourse
🌍 Eco Objectives
Distinguish needs from wants · Understand fast fashion impact · Identify and commit to eco-friendly alternatives
🎯 Skills
Speaking · Listening · Writing · Reading — all four at B1 level
🔍 Warm-up — Products & Choices (7 min)
Method: Inquiry + VisualsB1: Opinion + Comparatives
Look at the two products. Which do you prefer? Why? "I prefer the reusable bottle because it produces less waste. It is also cheaper in the long run."
🥤
Single-use Plastic Bottle
Used once. Then thrown away.
~450 years to decompose.
~0.30€ / bottle if buying daily = ~110€/year
Contributes to ocean plastic.
~450 years to decompose.
~0.30€ / bottle if buying daily = ~110€/year
Contributes to ocean plastic.
🍶
Reusable Water Bottle
Used thousands of times.
~10–20€ one-time cost.
Saves ~110€/year.
Avoids ~400 plastic bottles.
~10–20€ one-time cost.
Saves ~110€/year.
Avoids ~400 plastic bottles.
💬 Warm-up Discussion — Use B1 Language!
🥤
"Which bottle is better? Why?" (Use comparatives)
✅ "The reusable bottle is much better than the plastic bottle because it lasts thousands of uses. It is also cheaper in the long run, so it makes economic sense too."
🛒
"What did you buy last week? Was it a need or a want?"
✅ "Last week I bought new trainers. Honestly, I think it was a want because my old ones were still working — I just liked the new design. In my opinion, I should have repaired my old ones instead."
🌍
"How does buying too much affect the environment?"
✅ "When we buy too many things, especially cheap disposable products, we create enormous amounts of waste. Therefore, reducing what we buy is one of the most effective ways to lower our carbon footprint."
💡
"What is the most eco-friendly thing you own? Why?"
✅ "I think my bicycle is the most eco-friendly thing I own because it produces zero emissions and I use it instead of a car. It is also better for my health, so it is eco-friendly and personally beneficial."
👩🏫 Teacher
Display the two product cards on the projector. Discuss briefly (3 min). Then move to the Sort tab for the main Needs vs. Wants activity. Show realia if available: a plastic bottle vs. a reusable one, or a fast-fashion item vs. a repaired/second-hand item.
Display the two product cards on the projector. Discuss briefly (3 min). Then move to the Sort tab for the main Needs vs. Wants activity. Show realia if available: a plastic bottle vs. a reusable one, or a fast-fashion item vs. a repaired/second-hand item.
⚖️ Needs vs. Wants Sorter (8 min)
Method: TBL + ClassificationPairs → Class🗣 SpeakingB1: Justify with because/so
Click a product card, then classify it: Need (essential for life/health), Want (nice but not necessary), or Eco Choice (eco-friendly alternative). Always give a reason!
Select a product card, then classify it!
✅ NEEDS
Essential for health, safety, education
🛒 WANTS
Nice but not essential — can be reduced or replaced
🌿 ECO CHOICES
Sustainable alternatives and eco-friendly products
👩🏫 Teacher
After each sort, ask the class to justify with a full sentence: "Is this a need or a want? Why?" Key B1 language: "I think this is a want because we can use second-hand alternatives." / "This is an eco choice so we should prefer it over the standard option." Students work in pairs first, then share with the class.
After each sort, ask the class to justify with a full sentence: "Is this a need or a want? Why?" Key B1 language: "I think this is a want because we can use second-hand alternatives." / "This is an eco choice so we should prefer it over the standard option." Students work in pairs first, then share with the class.
🎬 Video Task — Fast Fashion and Waste (10 min)
Method: CLIL · Active Listening👂 ListeningB1: Gather debate arguments
Watch one or both videos. Note: (1) one surprising fact and (2) one argument you will use in today's debate.
🎬 Fast Fashion & Sustainable Shopping
Two resources — choose one or both. Take notes for the debate!
👗 Fashion Revolution — Why Fast Fashion is a Problem
♻️ Kids Against Plastic — Reduce & Reuse
Open in new tabs. Display on projector while students take notes.
🗣 B1 Vocabulary in Context — Fast Fashion
The fashion industry produces approximately 92 million tonnes of textile waste every year. Fast fashion — cheap, trendy clothes designed to be worn only a few times — is one of the biggest contributors to this problem. The industry relies on planned obsolescence: making products that quickly go out of fashion so consumers keep buying more.
However, there are better alternatives. Second-hand shopping, clothes swapping, and repairing damaged items are all significantly more sustainable than buying new. In my opinion, the most effective change is to ask yourself before buying: "Do I actually need this, or do I just want it?"
Key collocations: reduce waste · reuse clothes · eco-friendly product · avoid fast fashion · repair instead of replace
⚔️ Debate: Buy New vs. Reuse & Repair (15 min)
Method: Debate Pedagogy · CLTB1: Opinion + Comparatives + because
Motion: "We should always buy new clothes" vs. "We should reuse and repair clothes." Build 3 arguments per side, then debate!
⚔️ ARGUMENT BUILDER
Select your position, build your argument.
① Opinion Phrase:
② Core Argument:
③ Reason (because / so / therefore):
Select your position, then build your argument...
🛍 Buy New is Better
Build arguments above...
VS
♻️ Reuse & Repair is Better
Build arguments above...
🏆 DEBATE SCOREBOARD
🛍 Buy New Team
0
points
VS
♻️ Reuse & Repair Team
0
points
Start debating and award points!
+1 for well-argued point · +1 bonus for correct comparative or superlative
🎮 Eco-Shopping Race + Sustainable Choices Bingo (10 min)
Method: GamificationB1: Justify choices
🏁 ECO-SHOPPING RACE
Select ALL the eco-friendly items before time runs out! Click only green choices!
3:00
Race Timer
Select all eco-friendly items, then click Check!
🟡 SUSTAINABLE CHOICES BINGO
Tick every eco-habit you already do! How many can you get?
Ticked: 0 / 16
💬 Reflection — How Can We Shop More Sustainably?
🛍
"One thing I will stop buying is..."
✅ "I think I will stop buying cheap fast-fashion clothes because they fall apart quickly and contribute to textile waste. Instead, I will try to repair and reuse what I already have."
♻️
"Second-hand shopping — good idea or not? Why?"
✅ "In my opinion, second-hand shopping is an excellent idea because it reduces waste and is much cheaper. The quality is often better than fast-fashion items too, so it is a win-win."
📱
"Should we always buy the newest phone model?"
✅ "I strongly believe we should not buy a new phone every year because it creates enormous amounts of electronic waste. A phone that still works does not need replacing — therefore, we should repair instead of replacing."
🏫
"How could we set up a 'Swap Corner' at school?"
✅ "We could set up a Swap Corner where students exchange books, clothes, and stationery they no longer need. This would reduce waste and save money. In addition, it would build a culture of sharing and sustainability in our school."
✏️ Homework — Opinion Paragraph (100–120 words)
"One Thing I Will Change in My Shopping Habits Is..."
Opening — State Your Change
I have decided to change one shopping habit: I will instead of . I think this is important because .
Reason — Comparison + Evidence
In my opinion, is than because it . For example, if everyone , we would reduce significantly.
Conclusion — Commitment
Therefore, I will from now on. I believe that small changes in our shopping habits can make a real difference because .
buy second-hand / repair / reuse / avoid
cheaper / better / more sustainable
because / so / therefore / although
waste / packaging / fast fashion / emissions
One Thing I Will Change in My Shopping Habits
I have decided to change one shopping habit: I will buy second-hand clothes instead of buying new ones from fast-fashion brands. I think this is important because the fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to textile waste globally.
In my opinion, second-hand clothes are much better than fast fashion because they reduce waste and are significantly cheaper. For example, if everyone bought one second-hand item instead of a new one each month, the amount of clothing waste would decrease dramatically.
Therefore, I will start shopping second-hand and repairing clothes I already own. I believe that small changes in our shopping habits can make a real difference because collective action always starts with individual choices.
I have decided to change one shopping habit: I will buy second-hand clothes instead of buying new ones from fast-fashion brands. I think this is important because the fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to textile waste globally.
In my opinion, second-hand clothes are much better than fast fashion because they reduce waste and are significantly cheaper. For example, if everyone bought one second-hand item instead of a new one each month, the amount of clothing waste would decrease dramatically.
Therefore, I will start shopping second-hand and repairing clothes I already own. I believe that small changes in our shopping habits can make a real difference because collective action always starts with individual choices.