Bell Ringer (5 minutes) Question: "Why is language and communication significant?" Activity: Students reflect individually for 2 minutes, writing their thoughts in their notebooks. After 2 minutes, share responses with the class. Discuss: How does language affect our relationships? Can the way we speak influence how others see us? Purpose: Activate prior knowledge about language and communication. Introduce the theme of language shaping perceptions and identity. Bloom’s Taxonomy Question (during discussion): Remembering: Why is language important in our daily lives?

Introduction to Language and Communication (10 minutes) Activity: Class Discussion: Expand on the Bell Ringer question and explore: How can language shape our identity? Use examples: How does speech affect opportunities or relationships? Give examples of formal vs. informal language, or different accents, and discuss how they might affect how someone is perceived (e.g., in a job interview vs. with friends). Discuss language as a symbol of social identity: accent, vocabulary, tone can reflect class, education, and regional identity. Show a short video clip or read a key passage from Pygmalion to highlight how language shapes the interaction between characters. Bloom’s Taxonomy Question (during discussion): Understanding: How does the way we speak affect how others view us? Analyzing: How does language reflect class and identity in society?

Introduction to George Bernard Shaw and Pygmalion (10 minutes) Activity: Introduction to George Bernard Shaw: Briefly introduce Shaw’s background: a playwright known for his social criticism, particularly around issues like class and language. Explain Pygmalion is a play about how a linguistics professor, Henry Higgins, changes the speech and identity of a poor flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, by teaching her to speak “properly.” Shaw explores how language can impact class, identity, and opportunity. Show a short video clip from a Pygmalion production or read aloud key quotes from Act I (like the one where Higgins says: "I shall be damned.") to demonstrate language differences. Bloom’s Taxonomy Question (during introduction): Remembering: Who is George Bernard Shaw and what are the key themes in Pygmalion? Understanding: What is the main conflict in Pygmalion?

Pre-Reading Activity for Pygmalion (15 minutes) Activity: Key Quote Analysis: Present this quote from Henry Higgins in Act I: "The moment I let you sit down in that chair and talk to me as if you were the equal of any gentleman in the land, I shall be damned." Individual Reflection: Have students reflect individually for 2 minutes on the quote. Group Discussion: In small groups, have students answer: What does this quote suggest about Higgins’ views on language and class? Why does he think speech is so important in determining one’s place in society? After 5 minutes, discuss as a class: How does language affect people’s identities in this scene? What do you think of Higgins’ attitude? Guiding Questions: How does Higgins view language and social class? What role does language play in shaping identity and class in this quote? How does Eliza feel about her speech in the beginning of the play? Bloom’s Taxonomy Questions (during discussion): Understanding: What does this quote reveal about Henry Higgins’ attitude toward Eliza? Analyzing: How does Higgins’ perspective on language affect the power dynamics between him and Eliza?

Creative Activity: Language and Identity (8 minutes) Activity: Role-play Scenarios: Provide students with different scenarios where they would change their language or tone based on the situation (e.g., talking to a principal, a friend, a job interviewer). Students role-play in pairs or small groups to practice speaking in different registers or dialects. After role-playing, students will answer the following questions: How did it feel to speak in these different ways? What do you think people’s impressions would be based on how you spoke? Bloom’s Taxonomy Questions (during activity): Applying: Can you think of a time when your speech changed based on the situation or who you were talking to? Analyzing: What does the way we speak tell others about our social class or identity?

Worksheet Activity (5 minutes) Activity: Worksheet with reflection and short-answer questions: Why do you think people are often judged based on the way they speak? How does language impact how others perceive you? In Pygmalion, how do you think Eliza’s speech will affect her opportunities? Reflect: Do you think learning a "proper" way of speaking can improve someone’s opportunities? Why or why not? Bloom’s Taxonomy Questions (on worksheet): Understanding: Why do you think language is important in shaping someone’s identity? Evaluating: Do you agree that changing one’s speech can change their social position? Why or why not?

Wrap-Up and Exit Ticket (5 minutes) Activity: Exit Ticket: "In 1-2 sentences, how does language influence social sta