Barbie Movie (Worksheet for Intermediate level)

A Barbie doll is one of the dreams of each little girl. And now there are not only various Barbie dolls with different functions, but also a lot of cartoons and movies. One of the latest movies “Barbie” has brought intensity and excitement around it. As everyone is waiting for its release, we have prepared a lesson plan on it which is suitable for adults with Intermediate level.

Here are tasks to enhance your students vocabulary and to improve their listening and speaking skills. 

Lesson plan:

1. Warm-up
2. Lead-in
3. Trailer
4. Vocabulary
5. Hidden details
6. Barbie commercial
7. New Barbie Class
8. Role-play

Task 1. Warm-up

• Did you have a favorite toy when you were a child? What was it?
• What were the most popular toys among boys and girls in your childhood? 
• What are the most beloved toys by kids nowadays? 
• If you had to leave only one toy for your kids to play with, what would it be? Why?  

Task 2. Lead-in

• Do you think that dolls are appropriate only for girls? Why? 
• Did you/your sisters have a doll in your/their childhood? What doll was it?

Watch the video until 0:22 and continue the narrator with your own ideas. Continue watching until 0:38 and check your guesses.

Then think of the questions below:

• Do kids play more with baby or barbie dolls today?  
• What would a real life Barbie look like? (Continue watching to check this answer and to be able to answer the next question). 
• Do you think that the scene with breaking dolls shows the reality after the Barbie doll was released?

More articles on film discussion:

Task 3. Trailer 

Watch the official trailer and answer the questions.

• What scene does the trailer start with?
• How is Barbie dressed? What about other people at the beach?
• Did this trailer bring memories rushing back for you?
• Are you interested to know what will happen to Barbie and other characters?

Task 4. Vocabulary

Match the words with their definitions and then make sentences with them.   

1. to stay over 
2. rollerblades 
3. literally 
4. severely 
5. injured 
6. to beach someone off 

a) boots with a single row of small wheels on the bottom of each
b) hurt in an accident or attack 
c) in a way that is most basic and obvious 
d) to kick someone off the beach 
e) to stay overnight
f) to a severe or serious degree 

Task 5. Hidden details 

Watch the trailer again and tick the things you’ve noticed.

• Life in plastic 
• Childhood innocence 
• Pointed feet 
• President 
• A diverse barbie land
• Rollerblades 
• Barbie slide 
• Dreamhouses 
• Splits barbie 
• The wizard of Oz

Now watch the video “Top 10 Hidden Details in the Barbie Movie Trailer” to see the details that you haven’t noticed and their meanings. 

Task 6. Barbie commercial 

• Do you know when the first Barbie doll was released and what it looked like? 

Watch the first Barbie commercial from 1959.

Consider the following questions as well as you watch:

• What stylistic choices do you see in the commercial (graphics, sounds, word choice, syntax)? 
• Is the commercial effective? Why (not)? 
• What influence do you think Barbie has had on society?

Watch the video and compare barbies.

• How has Barbie changed since the very first up? 

Task 7. New Barbie Class

Watch the video and complete the sentences.

1. Dasani likes to _____ and paint their nails.
2. Eileen expected the new Barbies to look _____ as the old model.
3. Dasani thinks that the new Barbie dolls look _____ .
4. Faith and Liat say that the new Barbie dolls have a more _____ .
5. The girls think that the new Barbies _____ their friends, teachers and famous people.

Answer the questions below.

• Do you agree with sentences 3 and 4?
• Which Barbie doll do you like more, the old one or the new one? Why? 
• Would you like to buy a new Barbie doll for your or your friend’s child? Why (not)?

Task 8. Role-play 

Choose a card and do the task. Read the situation and role play it with your teacher.

You’ve met a friend in the street, and he/she strongly believes that children should no longer play with dolls in today’s technology-rich world. But in your opinion dolls are better than technology for children. You should explain to him/her your opinion. Read the beginning of the dialogue and continue in a similar way. The teacher will play the role of your friend.

Teacher: Hi there! I want to tell you that I have watched a programme about how dolls can be bad for children, and now I suppose that they should no longer play with dolls in today’s technology-rich world. What do you think about it?

Student: Well, let me explain…

You’ve met a friend in the street, and he/she strongly believes that dolls are better than technology for children. But in your opinion children should no longer play with dolls in today’s technology-rich world. You should explain to him/her why it is right. Read the beginning of the dialogue and continue in a similar way. The teacher will play the role of your friend.

Teacher: Hi there! I want to tell you that I have watched a programme about how technology influences children, and now I suppose that dolls are better than technology for children. What do you think about it?

Student: Well, let me explain…

Have a great lesson!