The subscription trap: discussing consumer choices and hypothetical situations

The subscription economy β€” a C1 English lesson. Practise advanced conditionals and expand vocabulary around modern consumer trends and business models.

The subscription trap: discussing consumer choices and hypothetical situations
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Summary

This ESL lesson for C1 English students explores Subscription economy. Using a real audio as the basis for discussion, students develop listening comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar skills across a 90-minute class.

The grammar focus is Advanced conditionals: mixed and inverted forms. Key vocabulary includes value proposition (noun phrase), recurring payments (noun phrase), lock-in effect (noun phrase) and more, all drawn directly from the source material. The practical English section gives students useful phrases for real-life situations: You need to call a company to cancel a subscription service you no longer use. The customer service agent will try to persuade you to stay..

Activities

Vocabulary focus

The vocabulary section introduces C1-level words and phrases related to Subscription economy. Key terms include value proposition (noun phrase), recurring payments (noun phrase), lock-in effect (noun phrase), consumer fatigue (noun phrase), freemium model (noun phrase). Students practise using these terms in context through exercises drawn from the source material.

Grammar focus

This lesson focuses on Advanced conditionals: mixed and inverted forms. At C1 level, we use more complex conditional forms to express nuanced hypothetical situations. Mixed conditionals combine different time frames in one sentence.

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Subscription economy and consumer choices
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