The friendship recession
This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the video in order of how useful they are. The expressions in italics are additional and cannot be found in the video. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.
To pay attention (to something/ someone)
‘…being lonely is as bad for your health as smoking…’
To look after (someone/ something)
To lack (something)/ A lack (of something)
To get someone to do something
To be reluctant (to do something)
To turn to (someone/ something)
To bear the brunt (of something)
15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.
1. According to the video, what are the 4 ways that friendships are formed?
2. According to the video, why are we losing friends?
3. According to the video, what are the downsides of not having friends?
4. What was said in the video about male and female friendships?
5. What does ‘friendship recession’ mean, and do you think we are in one?
6. What is ‘workism’, and do you think it’s a bad thing?
7. What did the ancient philosophers say about friendship, and do you agree with them?
8. ‘We’re heading towards a friendless world, and it’s terrifying.’ Do you agree?
9. ‘Working from home might seem nice, but the truth is that it’s damaging to mental health because it reduces human interaction.’ Do you agree? ‘There’s nothing better than introducing one friend to another.’ Do you agree?
10. ‘When I get in an Uber, I really don’t want the driver to start a conversation with me.’ Is this true for you?
11. ‘It’s better to hang out in mixed groups with both men and women.’ Do you agree?
12. ‘It’s important to always have at least one close friend.’ Do you agree?
13. ‘Children are different to adults because children never have any difficulty making new friends.’ Do you agree?
14. ‘Online friends are not real friends.’ Do you agree?
15. ‘It’s impossible to be friends with someone who has different political beliefs to you.’ Do you agree?