Whataboutism

This ESL lesson plan introduces learners to the concept of whataboutism through engaging listening, vocabulary, and conversation activities. Students analyze examples, match terms to definitions, and discuss how whataboutism impacts debates. With a focus on critical thinking and clear communication, learners create constructive dialogues to replace deflective arguments. This lesson fosters discussion skills and rhetorical awareness in a dynamic group setting.

Skills

Can understand recordings in the standard form of the language likely to be encountered in social, professional or academic life and identify viewpoints and attitudes as well as the information content.
Can account for and sustain their opinions in discussion by providing relevant explanations, arguments and comments.

B2 (Upper-Intermediate)Adults Group Video Speaking Listening

Online Interactive

Based on CEFR

Fully Customizable

Warm-up

Look at these short dialogues. All of them have something in common. What is it?

*two people at a charity foundation Liz: Showing sympathy for the earthquake victims is natural and important. Bobby: But why are you only focusing on one group when there are so many others who need just as much attention? *a son and a father talking Son: What's this about my grades? Is that why you dragged me all the way to The Globe pub in London? Father: Yes, Gerald. Your grades do not reflect your intelligence and potential. I'm worried about how you're doing at university. Son: It's fine, Dad. Don't sweat it - what about you? You never even went to university! *a hockey coach talking to his team Coach: The offensive play wasn't the problem, it was the defense that couldn't shut down the goal. Player: Come on, what about the goalie? He let in some easy shots! Isn't the goaltender there to make up for any mistakes anyone else might make? *an analyst asks a CEO about a firm's excessively high debt levels Seth: Why is this firm taking on so much debt? Jacobson: Look at our competitor; their debt is double ours! Seth: That doesn't make any sense. Our company has been steadily increasing its debt while theirs has remained stable. Jacobson: Yes, but they have proportionately higher debt loads than us.

Require students to provide an answer