GHOST STORIES: REAL OR FICTION?

Ghost Stories: Real or Fiction? is a ready-to-use B1 Halloween lesson that explores ghosts, supernatural experiences, and the fascinating world of horror films. Through video-based activities, listening, personalised discussions, and creative speaking tasks, students share their beliefs about ghosts, discuss mysterious experiences, and explore what makes supernatural stories so entertaining.
Featuring the official trailer for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the lesson combines Halloween fun with meaningful communication, listening comprehension, and critical thinking.
Inside the lesson

• Warm-up: Do You Believe in Ghosts? — discussing supernatural beliefs and mysterious experiences
• Video: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice — trailer comprehension and discussion
• Speaking: Let's Talk About Ghosts — hypothetical situations and personal opinions
• Listening: My Favorite Ghost Story — a personal review of Beetlejuice
• Listening comprehension: identifying main ideas and True or False statements
• Personalised speaking: childhood beliefs, scary films, and supernatural experiences
• Picture-based discussion: Ghosts on Screen — comparing characters from Beetlejuice, The Conjuring 2, and Casper
• Final speaking task: Ghosts – Real or Fiction? — preparing and delivering a short speech
• Teacher's notes, lesson stages, methodology tips, listening transcript, and answer key

Students will learn to:

• Discuss beliefs about ghosts and supernatural experiences
• Understand the main ideas and specific details in a film trailer
• Listen to and understand a personal film review
• Describe supernatural characters and compare different types of ghost films
• Talk about childhood beliefs and past experiences
• Express opinions about horror films and supernatural stories
• Discuss imaginary situations using conditional structures
• Give a structured 2–3-minute speech and answer follow-up questions

Key Vocabulary: ghost, haunted house, supernatural, supernatural events, mysterious experiences, horror film, ghost story, creepy, frightening, terrifying, scary, strange creatures, the world of the dead, atmosphere, unpredictable, horror comedy, film character, Halloween costume.
Useful Expressions: believe in ghosts, be afraid of something, dress up as a character, experience something mysterious, combine horror and comedy, have a unique style, be based on real events, recommend watching a film.
Grammar Focus: used to for past beliefs and habits, Present Perfect for life experiences, and Second Conditionalstructures for hypothetical situations (If I saw a ghost, I would...).
Perfect for

• B1 intermediate learners
• Teens and adults
• Halloween-themed English lessons
• One-to-one classes
• Small-group lessons
• Conversation clubs
• Listening and speaking practice

This 60–90 minute lesson combines authentic video content, structured listening tasks, and communicative activities. Students move from discussing their beliefs about ghosts to analysing film characters, sharing personal experiences, and presenting their own opinions.
A ready-to-use Halloween lesson that encourages speaking fluency, listening comprehension, and critical thinkingthrough an entertaining supernatural theme.
Тема: Video, Halloween