Maybelatership: Later or Never? – ESL Lesson Plan

Dating has never been more complicated. With endless options on our phones and new labels appearing every day, many people find themselves stuck in relationships that have no name and no clear future. This 90-minute video lesson for upper-intermediate to advanced (B2-C1) students dives into one of the latest and most controversial dating trends: the “maybelatership.”

Inspired by the popular BBC World Service podcast What in the World and their episode Are ‘maybelaterships’ the new situationships?, this lesson explores why so many people are choosing “maybe later” over a definite yes or no.

What students will learn and develop:

• Listening Comprehension: Students will practise listening for specific information, understanding natural conversational speed, and inferring meaning from context in an authentic video text.
• Speaking and Fluency: Through pair work, group discussions, and personalised response tasks, students will develop their ability to express opinions, share personal experiences, and engage in debate on a contemporary topic.
• Vocabulary Building: Students will learn and practise essential vocabulary and idiomatic expressions related to relationships, emotions, and modern social trends, including ambiguous, plethora, the pits of hell, hop into things, umbrella term, string someone along, and touch grass.
• Critical Thinking: Students will analyse different perspectives on dating culture, evaluate the advice given by experts, and form their own informed opinions about the topic.
• Cultural Awareness: The lesson encourages students to compare dating norms in their own culture with those presented in the video, developing intercultural understanding and communication skills.

Your students will not only develop their listening, speaking, and vocabulary skills but will also leave the classroom thinking, debating, and reflecting on the complexities of modern relationships long after the lesson ends.