Back to the Past: An Advanced Speaking Lesson on Nostalgia

An advanced speaking lesson exploring nostalgia, memory, and culture.
Learners discuss emotions, media, and how technology shapes the way we remember the past.
#ESL #AdvancedEnglish #SpeakingLesson #Nostalgia #Culture

1. Nostalgia
By: Mahsa

2. Ask and answer
How would you define nostalgia
in your own words?
definiition
Can nostalgia be both positive
and negative? Why?
+ or -
Do you think nostalgia is more
about emotions or memories?
why?
Route
Do you think nostalgia is
stronger for childhood or
teenage years?
when
01
03
02
04

3. 1. Nostalgia was first identified as a psychological resource in the 17th century.
2. Dr. Clay Routledge suggests that nostalgia often hinders people from addressing present challenges.
3. The term 'nostalgia' was coined to describe soldiers' longing for their homeland.
4. According to the video, nostalgia is primarily a negative emotion that reinforces misery.
5. Social media and streaming services have made it easier for people to engage in nostalgic
experiences.
6. Nostalgia is often criticized for keeping individuals stuck in the past.
7. Dr. Routledge's research indicates that nostalgia can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation.

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zROrhPRGp5c&t=29s
Watch

5. 1. Nostalgia was first identified as a psychological resource in the 17th century. False
2. Dr. Clay Routledge suggests that nostalgia often hinders people from addressing present challenges.
False
3. The term 'nostalgia' was coined to describe soldiers' longing for their homeland. True
4. According to the video, nostalgia is primarily a negative emotion that reinforces misery. False
5. Social media and streaming services have made it easier for people to engage in nostalgic
experiences. True
6. Nostalgia is often criticized for keeping individuals stuck in the past. True
7. Dr. Routledge's research indicates that nostalgia can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation.
True

6. Triggers
What are some smells that
bring back memories for
you?
1
What TV shows, movies, or
music from your childhood
make you nostalgic?
2
Does music trigger nostalgia
more than other senses?
Why?
3

7. Discuss
You can delete this slide when you’re done editing the presentation
1 Do you think nostalgia is stronger when you’re happy or sad?
2 Is nostalgia stronger for events that happened a long time ago or recently?
3 How has your sense of nostalgia changed as you've gotten older?
4 How does nostalgia influence fashion and trends?
5 What’s one thing from your culture that brings back childhood memories?
6 Is nostalgia more personal, or is it a shared experience?

8. To the future …
3
Do you think nostalgia will be different for future generations? Why?

9. Do you think technology is
changing the way we
experience nostalgia?

10. If…
If you could send one
nostalgic object to the
future, what would it be?
1
If you met your younger self,
what nostalgic item would
you give them?
2
If you could spend one day
in the past, but only as an
observer, where would you
go?
3
If you could erase one
nostalgic memory, would
you do it? Why?
4

11. Challenge
Which era worth reliving?
* Technology
* Culture & Music
* Economy & jobs
* Lifestyle & daily
life
* Social values
Convince
each other

12. Bye
Go make more nostalgia for the future!