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Vocabulary Grammar Reading Listening Speaking Writing

Section 1

Teacher's Lesson Plan

Lesson Overview

Topic

What Is Your Name? — Names as identity, fashion and personal branding. Lena is a journalist writing an article about how names shape first impressions, reflect social trends, and are increasingly used as branding tools. From royal baby names to celebrity reinventions, the question is more complex than it seems.

Level

B2–C1

Duration

90 minutes

Skills

Reading · Listening · Speaking · Writing (+ Vocabulary + Grammar)

Grammar

Present Simple — facts and trends about names
Present Progressive — current shifts in naming culture
Present Perfect — how naming has changed up to now
Present Perfect Progressive — ongoing trends still happening
Past Simple — historical facts about famous names
There is / There are — describing the naming landscape
Passive — names are given, brands are built
Can / Could — what a name can and cannot do
To be going to — predictions about future trends

Vocabulary

12 words (B2): identity · reputation · perception · connotation · trend · branding · reinvention · legacy · stereotype · association · influence · distinctiveness

Materials

Student Handouts 1–6 (printed); whiteboard; this plan

Key Grammar — Teaching Notes

Nine structures — their roles in the naming/fashion context

Present Simple — general facts: A name defines your first impression. Parents choose names for many reasons.
Present Progressive — current shift: Naming trends are changing rapidly. Parents are increasingly choosing gender-neutral names.
Present Perfect — up to now: The name "Karen" has acquired a negative connotation. Celebrity culture has transformed naming habits.
Present Perfect Progressive — ongoing: Researchers have been studying the link between names and career success for decades.
Past Simple — completed history: In the 1950s, parents chose traditional names. Archduke Ferdinand changed his name before becoming emperor.
There is / There are — describing the landscape: There is growing evidence that names influence hiring decisions. There are thousands of names that have disappeared from use.
Passive — names as objects of action: Names are chosen before birth. Brands are built on a single word. Certain names are associated with wealth.
Can / Could — ability and possibility: A name can open or close doors. In the past, a name could determine your entire social class.
To be going to — prediction: Traditional names are going to make a comeback. The next generation is going to be named after climate activists.

Lesson Procedure

Time

Stage

Skill

Teacher does

Students do

0–7 min

Lead-in

Speaking

"What does your name mean? Would you change it? Does your name suit you?" Write on board: "A name is a brand." Ask: do you agree?

Discuss. Share name stories. React to the statement.

7–16 min

Vocabulary

—

12 B2 words. Concept-check connotation, reinvention, distinctiveness. Part B gap-fill.

Part A: read + self-test. Part B: gap-fill.

16–44 min

Grammar

—

9 structure cards → contrast Present tenses → Passive in branding context → exercises 1–5.

Study cards. Exercises 1–5. Pair-check.

44–57 min

Reading

Gist: "What is Lena's argument?" Identify grammar structures. Tasks 1–2.

Read Lena's article. Questions. T/F/NG. Label grammar.

57–70 min

Listening

Context: "Lena interviews two people about their names." Read TWICE.

MCQ. Notes. Compare.

70–82 min

Speaking

Name interview + class debate. Monitor all 9 structures.

Interview partner. Discuss. Debate.

82–90 min

Writing

120–150 words. Short article or opinion piece. All 9 structures.

Write about names, identity or branding. Self-check.

Listening Script — 'What's in a Name?'

Read aloud twice at a clear B2 pace. Do not show to students during the tasks.

Lena:

I'm working on an article about names and identity. Can I ask you a few questions?

David:

Of course. I'm David — though I've been going by "Dave" at work for years. It sounds more approachable, people say.

Lena:

Interesting. And has that changed how you see yourself?

David:

Honestly, yes. There's something in a name that carries weight. "David" feels formal — classical, even. "Dave" is easier. But I'm going to start using my full name again. I think it's time.

Lena:

And you — what's your name?

Clara:

Clara. My parents chose it because it means "clear" and "bright." They were studying classical literature at the time. There are dozens of famous Claras — but most people associate the name with someone old-fashioned now.

Lena:

Has that affected you?

Clara:

It has, actually. I've been thinking about this for a while. Researchers have been studying how names influence hiring decisions — and there's clear evidence that unusual names are being screened out in certain industries. A name can open doors. It could also close them before you even walk in.

David:

That's exactly the problem. Names are given to us before we can have any say. They're chosen based on trends, family traditions, or — let's be honest — fashion. And then we carry them for life.

Lena:

So what are names going to look like in twenty years?

Clara:

I think there's going to be much more fluidity. People are already reclaiming the right to choose their own names as adults. It's happening right now — you can see it in every generation that's coming of age.

David:

Either way — a name is the first thing you give someone. It's a responsibility that has been underestimated for too long.

Grammar in the script:
· PS: it means / parents chose / they were studying / names are given / it carries weight
· Prog: I'm working / names are being screened out / it's happening / coming of age
· PP: I've been going by / has that changed / it has / has affected / has been underestimated
· PPP: I've been thinking / researchers have been studying
· Past S: parents chose / they were studying
· There is/are: there's something / there are dozens / there's clear evidence / there's going to be
· Passive: names are given / are being screened out / has been underestimated / they're chosen
· Can/Could: a name can open doors / it could also close them
· Going to: I'm going to start using / there's going to be / are going to look

Answer Key

Handout 1 — Vocabulary

Part B: 1. identity 2. reputation 3. perception 4. connotation 5. trend 6. branding 7. reinvention 8. legacy 9. stereotype 10. association 11. influence 12. distinctiveness

Handout 2 — Grammar

Ex 1 (identify): 1. PS 2. Prog 3. PP 4. PPP 5. Past S 6. There is/are 7. Passive 8. Can 9. Going to 10. PP passive

Ex 2 (complete): 1. means (PS) 2. are changing (Prog) 3. has acquired (PP) 4. have been studying (PPP) 5. chose (Past S) 6. There is (TIA) 7. are given (Passive) 8. can open (Can) 9. is going to change (Going to) 10. has been influenced (PP passive)

Ex 3 (passive transform): 1. Names are chosen before birth. 2. The name "Karen" has been given a negative connotation. 3. Many traditional names were abandoned in the 20th century. 4. The study is being conducted by researchers at Oxford. 5. The impact of names on hiring decisions has been underestimated.

Ex 4 (PS vs Prog vs PP): 1. has become (PP — up to now) 2. are becoming (Prog — current trend) 3. became (Past S — specific time) 4. has been growing (PPP — ongoing) 5. is (PS — general fact)

Ex 5 (errors): 1. has acquired (NOT acquired — still relevant now) 2. are being chosen (Passive Prog) 3. There are (NOT There is — plural) 4. could change (NOT could changed) 5. is going to become (NOT will becoming)

Handout 3 — Reading

Task 1: 1. She argues that a name is more than a label — it is a social signal that can shape careers, relationships and self-perception. 2. Studies have shown that people with unusual or foreign-sounding names are less likely to be called for job interviews. 3. Because names are given before a person has any say and carry associations they may not have chosen. 4. She predicts more people will choose or change their names as adults, and that gender-neutral names are going to become the norm. 5. She is a journalist investigating the relationship between names, identity and social trends.

Task 2 (T/F/NG): 1 T 2 F (names with foreign associations are disadvantaged — not just unusual names) 3 T 4 NG 5 T

Handout 4 — Listening

Task 1: 1-B 2-C 3-A

Task 2: (1) Dave / approachable (2) clear and bright / classical literature (3) have been studying / screened out (4) can open / could close (5) going to be more fluidity / choosing their own names

What Is Your Name?

Student Handouts

Name:

Date:

Class:

Handout 1

Vocabulary

Part A — Key Words

Word

What it means

identity

who you are — the qualities, beliefs and experiences that make you a unique individual

reputation

the general opinion that people have of a person, group or name based on past behaviour

perception

the way something is understood or interpreted — how others see you or your name

connotation

an idea or feeling that a word carries beyond its literal meaning — "Karen" has acquired negative connotations

trend

a general direction in which something is changing or developing — naming trends shift with each generation

branding

the process of creating a distinctive identity for a product, company or person

reinvention

the process of changing yourself or something completely — celebrities often undergo reinvention by changing their name

legacy

something passed down from the past that continues to influence the present

stereotype

a fixed, oversimplified idea about a particular group of people — some names carry strong stereotypes

association

a mental connection between two things — certain names have strong associations with particular social classes

influence

the power to affect how people think, feel or act

distinctiveness

the quality of being noticeably different from others — an unusual name may offer greater distinctiveness

Part B — Fill in the Gaps

Use words from Part A.

1.A name is not just a label — it is a key part of your personal __________________, shaping how you see yourself and how others see you.

2.The __________________ of the name "Einstein" is so strong that it is now used informally to mean any genius.

3.Public __________________ of a name can change rapidly — a name that sounds modern today may feel dated within a decade.

4.Every word carries cultural __________________; some names suggest wealth, others suggest poverty, regardless of the individual.

5.The current __________________ towards gender-neutral names reflects broader social changes in how we think about identity.

6.In the modern world, personal __________________ is as important as corporate branding — your name is your first advertisement.

7.Many artists have undergone a complete __________________, adopting a stage name that better fits their public image.

8.A family name carries a __________________ — it connects you to history, for better or for worse.

9.Research suggests that certain names activate immediate __________________ — people assume personality traits before meeting the person.

10.The __________________ between the name "Victoria" and the British empire is so strong it affects perception even today.

11.Studies have shown that a name can __________________ hiring decisions — candidates with "foreign-sounding" names are less likely to be called for interview.

12.In a crowded marketplace of names, __________________ matters — an unusual name is more memorable than a common one.

Handout 2

Grammar

Nine Structures — The Language of Identity

PRESENT SIMPLE
General facts, habits and permanent truths about names and society.
A name defines your first impression. · Parents choose names for many reasons. · The name "Karen" carries negative connotations in modern usage.

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
Current changes and trends happening right now.
Naming trends are changing rapidly. · Parents are increasingly choosing gender-neutral names. · Unusual names are being screened out in certain industries.

PRESENT PERFECT
Changes that happened in the past but are relevant to the present.
The name "Karen" has acquired a negative connotation. · Celebrity culture has transformed naming habits. · The impact of names has been underestimated for decades.

PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
An ongoing activity that started in the past and is still continuing.
Researchers have been studying the link between names and success for years. · I have been thinking about changing my name for months.

PAST SIMPLE
Completed actions at a specific time in the past.
In the 1950s, parents chose traditional names. · The name Coco Chanel changed the fashion world's perception of personal branding. · David Bowie adopted a stage name early in his career.

THERE IS / THERE ARE
Describe the existence of something in the naming landscape.
There is growing evidence that names influence hiring decisions. · There are thousands of names that have disappeared from use. · There is going to be a revival of classical names.

PASSIVE
Names as objects of social action — given, chosen, built, associated.
Names are given to us before birth. · Brands are built on a single word. · Certain names are associated with specific social classes. · Many names have been abandoned over the past century.

CAN / COULD
Ability and possibility — what a name can and could do.
A name can open doors — or close them. · In past centuries, a name could determine your entire social class. · Can a name really influence your personality?

TO BE GOING TO
Predictions and intentions about future naming trends.
Traditional names are going to make a comeback. · The next generation is going to choose names with personal meaning over family tradition. · I am going to use my full name from now on.

Exercise 1 — Identify the Structure

Write the grammar structure for each sentence.

1.A name carries your entire social history before you open your mouth. [ ]

2.The fashion industry is rebranding classic names as luxury identifiers. [ ]

3.Celebrity culture has permanently altered how parents approach naming. [ ]

4.Sociologists have been researching name bias in recruitment for over twenty years. [ ]

5.In the Victorian era, names reflected strict class distinctions. [ ]

6.There are hundreds of studies confirming a link between names and first impressions. [ ]

7.Unusual names are increasingly being chosen by parents who reject conformity. [ ]

8.A single name can define a brand more powerfully than any advertising campaign. [ ]

9.Gender-neutral names are going to become the dominant trend within a decade. [ ]

10.The association between certain names and social class has been documented extensively. [ ]

Exercise 2 — Complete with the Correct Form

Use the verb in brackets in the correct tense or structure.

1.The name "Victoria" __________________ (mean) "victory" in Latin — a connotation that still shapes perception.

2.Naming conventions __________________ (change) dramatically — parents today reject many traditional choices.

3.The name "Karen" __________________ (acquire) a specific cultural meaning that its original bearers never anticipated.

4.Researchers __________________ (study) the effect of names on career success since the 1990s.

5.In the 1960s, many parents __________________ (choose) names inspired by film stars and musicians.

6.__________________ growing evidence that first names affect how teachers assess students.

7.Names __________________ (give) to us without our consent — yet they shape us for life.

8.A well-chosen name __________________ (open) professional doors that a poorly perceived one cannot.

9.According to linguists, naming conventions __________________ (become) far more fluid by 2040.

10.The way that names shape perception __________________ (underestimate) by the general public for too long.

Exercise 3 — Make It Passive

Rewrite each sentence in the passive. Keep the same tense.

1. "Parents choose names before birth."

___________________________________________________________________________

2. "Society has given the name 'Karen' a negative connotation."

___________________________________________________________________________

3. "Fashion houses abandoned many traditional names in the 20th century."

___________________________________________________________________________

4. "Researchers at Oxford are conducting the study."

___________________________________________________________________________

5. "The public has underestimated the impact of names on hiring decisions."

___________________________________________________________________________

Exercise 4 — Choose the Right Tense

Present Simple · Present Progressive · Present Perfect · Present Perfect Progressive · Past Simple. Choose the best form.

1.The name "Coco" __________________ (become) strongly associated with Chanel — that association is permanent.

2.Parents __________________ (become) increasingly conscious of how a name will affect their child's life.

3.The name trend towards nature names __________________ (begin) in the early 2000s and peaked around 2015.

4.The influence of social media on baby names __________________ (grow) steadily for the past decade.

5.The name "Helena" __________________ (carry) royal and classical associations in many European cultures.

Exercise 5 — Find and Correct the Error

Each sentence has ONE mistake.

1. "The name 'Karen' acquired a negative connotation that still affects people today."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

2. "Unusual names are being chose more frequently by younger parents."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

3. "There is hundreds of studies linking names to social outcomes."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

4. "A name could changed your career prospects in ways you cannot predict."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

5. "Gender-neutral naming is going to became the norm within a generation."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

Handout 3

Reading

What Is Your Name? — A Name Is Not Just a Label

The question

Ask someone their name and you have already begun to form an impression. Research consistently shows that names carry powerful connotations — associations built over decades of cultural use. There are names that signal ambition, names that suggest warmth, and names that have been irreversibly damaged by public figures who bore them. A name, it turns out, is a brand — and like all brands, it can be managed, repackaged, or quietly abandoned.

The evidence

Sociologists have been documenting name bias for over thirty years. Studies have shown that CVs with names perceived as foreign or unusual are less likely to be called for interview. There is now substantial evidence that a name can influence a child's academic performance — teachers form expectations before meeting their students. The perception of a name is not fixed, however: it has changed throughout history, and it is changing right now. The name "Karen", once entirely neutral, has acquired a specific cultural meaning that affects real people who carry it.

The future

Naming conventions are going to evolve. There is growing interest in gender-neutral names, nature names, and names chosen for personal meaning rather than family tradition. The legacy of a name could carry you forward — or hold you back. What is certain is this: names are not being chosen more carefully today because of fashion. They are being chosen more carefully because people have finally understood what was always true. A name is not just what you are called. It is who you are going to become.

After reading: Underline one example of each of the nine grammar structures in the text. Can you find them all?

Task 1 — Answer the Questions

Write full sentences.

1.What is the main argument Lena makes in her article?