Half A Million Secrets American English Teacher B2 C1

HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
GENERAL ENGLISH · ENGLISH IN VIDEO · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)
HALF A
MILLION
SECRETS
QrrkoD Scan to review worksheet
Expemo code:
1DE9-N27L-4720
1 Warm up
Give some examples of a secret. Can you think of any famous secrets that have come out in the news
recently? Discuss the following questions in pairs.
1. What comes to mind when you hear the word "secret"? Do you have any secrets of your own?
2. Can you think of a time when you had to keep a secret? How did it make you feel?
3. Do you believe secrets are always meant to be kept, or are there situations where it’s okay to share
them?
4. How do secrets affect relationships, both positively and negatively?
5. Have you ever had someone confide in you with a secret? How did you handle it?
FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 1/10

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Paulina Karbownik's lessons.
HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)
HALF A MILLION SECRETS
2 Focus on vocabulary
Part A: Match the words to their correct definitions.
artful (adj.) chuckle (v) frailty (n) ingenious (adj.)

leverage (v) soulful (adj.) uptight (adj.) virally (adv.)
1. : behaving in a very correct way, not able to relax
2. : very intelligent and skillful
3. : showing creative skill
4. : very quickly, especially on the Internet
5. : use (something) in order to achieve something or make profits
6. : laugh quietly, especially in a private or secret way
7. : expressing strong emotions, especially sadness
8. : the condition of being weak or not in good health
Part B: Complete the gaps in the sentences below with the correct word from Part A. You may change
the form of the word.
1. He had a big smile and to himself.
2. His solution to the complex engineering problem impressed everyone on the team.
3. Politicians are often indifferent to human . They are only interested in personal
gain.
4. The idea was a hit and soon began spreading .
5. I cried my eyes out when she sang that song.
6. She wants to her extensive network of contacts to secure a better job opportunity.
7. I used to work with a bunch of people and had to wear a tie.
8. Johnny is extremely . He used paint, glue and glitter in his impression of the Tower
Bridge.
FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 2/10

HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
3 Watching comprehension
You are going to watch a video about Frank Warren’s story of collecting anonymous secrets from
people around the world and the impact these confessions have on individuals’ lives. Watch the
video (00:00 - 06:25) and answer the following questions.
1. What makes PostSecret.com unique?
2. What is the story behind a decaf coffee?
3. What is the story behind a wireless microphone?
4 Watching for details
Watch the video again (00:00 - 10:00) and choose the best answer for each of the following questions
1 - 7.
1. How did Frank Warren start collecting secrets?
a. He bought them from a store in Washington.
b. He handed out self-addressed postcards on the streets.
c. He anonymously called random people directly to share their secrets with him.
2. From whom did Frank start receiving secrets?
a. only from citizens of Washington, D.C.
b. from people living in various places, including other countries
c. only from his friends and family
3. What does Frank mention about the PostSecret blog?
a. It is an ad-free blog with scant visitor statistics.
b. It is primarily focused on sharing personal stories.
c. It features sponsored content.

HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
4. According to Frank, what is the main purpose of sharing secrets?
a. To create humorous anecdotes.
b. To entertain others with shocking stories.
c. To connect with others on a more profound level.
5. What is the significance of the secret posted on Valentine’s Day?
a. It received the most attention from readers.
b. It led to a surprising proposal between a couple.
c. It marked the end of the PostSecret blog.
6. What is the main purpose of the website "IFoundYourCamera"?
a. To sell lost cameras and memory sticks.
b. To showcase the collection of lost photographs.
c. To reunite lost photos with their rightful owners.
7. According to Frank, what impact does Matty’s website have on people’s lives?
a. It provides emotional connections through shared memories.
b. It facilitates the exchange of photos preserving cherished memories.
c. It increases the value of lost cameras and photos.
5 Reading for gist
Read a summary of a video about Frank Warren’s story and match the following sentences to the gaps
1 - 4. Note that two sentences are extra.
A. There are countless of them, some of them profound, some humorous, and others sorrowful.
B. It is a website dedicated to reuniting lost cameras with their owners.
C. The idea quickly gained momentum, with people across the United States and around the world
joining in.
D. With just 3,000 self-addressed postcards, he initiated what would become known as
PostSecret.
E. PostSecret’s ongoing success serves as a reminder of the value of human connection.
F. It is an example of the value of anonymity and the human need for connection and sharing.

HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
World of Secrets
The power of shared humanity
In November 2004, Frank Warren embarked on a unique social experiment that would change the way people view
1
anonymity and sharing secrets forever. It is a project dedicated to collecting and anonymously
sharing people’s deepest secrets. What started as a simple idea soon evolved into a global phenomenon, with
individuals from across the United States and all around the world jumping in and contributing their untold stories.
The concept is straightforward: share an artful secret that had never been revealed to anyone before.
2
Each postcard gives an insight into the human condition, ranging from expressions of love
and grief to confessions of long-kept secrets. According to the founder of the PostSecret blog, while some secrets
make us laugh or cry, they all serve as an affirmation of the humanity that connects people.
3
In a world marked by prevailed isolation, individuals visiting Warren’s blog can find comfort,
empathy, and a feeling of community through sharing secrets. The concept inspired a Canadian student named
4
Matty to create "IFoundYourCamera." Through this platform, people are encouraged to send
lost photos which are later posted on the website in the hope of reuniting them with their owners. Like the
PostSecret website, Matty’s project embraces the poignant story that every photograph contains a story or chapter
in someone’s life waiting to be reclaimed. His concept also leverages the kindness of strangers, demonstrating the
impact that simple acts of compassion can have.
6 Finding vocabulary
Read the summary again and find vocabulary which has the same meaning as the following definitions.
1. (v): accept or adopt something willingly or eagerly
2. (v): develop gradually
3. (adj.): causing a feeling of sadness
4. (n): approval, support, a statement or sign that something is true
5. (v): to take something back
6. (adj.): simple to understand, easy

HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
7 Talking point
Part 1: Discuss the following questions together in pairs or small groups.
1. What do you think of Frank Warren’s concept? Do you find it interesting?

2. Would you send your secret and let it be published on Warren’s blog? Why / why not?
3. Which story shared by the speaker is the most amusing to you?
4. Which story shared by the speaker is the most touching to you?
5. Do you think that some secrets should never be published?
6. Do you think that politicians’ and celebrities’ private lives should remain a secret?
Part 2: Read the definition and answer the questions below.
• blabbermouth – someone who talks excessively and indiscreetly
1. Do you know anyone who is a blabbermouth?

2. What effect do you think being a blabbermouth can have on someone’s life?
Part 3: Write down a secret about yourself on a piece of paper. Then, pass the papers around, select
one and read it out loud. Try to guess together who wrote each secret.

HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
8 Optional extension / homework
Part 1: Complete the sentences and the crossword on page eight using vocabulary from the lesson.
Down:
1. The video spread across social media platforms, garnering millions of views within
hours of being posted.
2. The arrangement of colors and textures in the painting drew the critics’ attention.
5. The engineer’s solution to the problem saved the company both time and money.
7. The company aimed to innovative technology to gain a competitive edge in the

market.
9. She’s always so about keeping everything perfectly organized.
Across:
3. After years of neglect, the community came together to the abandoned park, turning
it into a vibrant green space for all to enjoy.
4. The novel’s ending was especially , leaving readers crying and reflecting on the
themes of love and loss.
6. Despite her physical , her spirit remained strong.
8. The singer delivered a performance, leaving the audience deeply moved by the
emotion in her voice.
10. His instructions were clear and , making it easy for everyone to understand their
tasks.
11. During the meeting, he couldn’t resist sharing confidential information, earning himself a reputation
as the office .

HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
Part 2: Read the fragment from the audioscript and write the word that best fits in each gap. Use
only one word in each space. Watch the video to check your answers (03:13 - 04:03).
1
This next one takes a little before I share it with you. I love to speak on college
2
campuses and share secrets and the stories students. And sometimes afterwards
3
I’ll stick and sign books and take photos with students. And this next postcard was
4 5
out of one of those photos. And I should also that, just like today,
at that PostSecret event, I was using a wireless microphone. "Your mic wasn’t off during sound check.
6
We all heard you pee." This was really when it happened, until I realized it could have
been worse. Right. You know what I’m saying ...

HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
9 Speaking: Cue cards
Read the instructions below and do the task.
1. Work in pairs or small groups.

2. Take turns selecting a cue card.
3. Use the cue card to start a conversation about the topic with your partner(s).
4. Discuss each topic for 2-3 minutes.
5. Try to use the vocabulary and grammar structures you’ve learnt.
Cue Cards:
Keeping secrets:
Discuss the idea of keeping secrets.

• Do you think it’s important to keep secrets? Why or why not?
• Have you ever kept a secret before?
Secret wishes:
Share a secret wish or dream that you have. (you can invent it)
• What is it? Why is it a secret?
• Do you think it will come true one day?
Sharing secrets:
Talk about whether it’s okay to share secrets with others.

• When is it appropriate to share a secret?
• When is it not?

HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
Secret talents:
Talk about any secret talents or skills you have.

• What are they?
• Why have you kept them a secret?
Wishes coming true:
Share a story about a secret wish that came true for you or someone you know.
• What was the wish?

• How did it happen?
Secrets in literature or film:
Talk about secrets in books, movies, or TV shows.

• Can you think of any stories where secrets play a significant role?
• Describe your choice.

HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
TEACHER MATERIALS · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)
Transcripts
3. Watching comprehension
Frank Warren: Hi, my name is Frank, and I collect secrets. It all started with a crazy idea
in November of 2004. I printed up 3,000 self-addressed postcards, just like
this. They were blank on one side, and on the other side I listed some simple
instructions. I asked people to anonymously share an artful secret they’d never
told anyone before. And I handed out these postcards randomly on the streets
of Washington, D.C., not knowing what to expect.
Frank Warren: But soon the idea began spreading virally. People began to buy their own
postcards and make their own postcards. I started receiving secrets in my
home mailbox, not just with postmarks from Washington, D.C., but from Texas,
California, Vancouver, New Zealand, Iraq. Soon my crazy idea didn’t seem so
crazy. PostSecret.com is the most visited advertisement-free blog in the world.
And this is my postcard collection today. You can see my wife struggling to
stack a brick of postcards on a pyramid of over a half-million secrets.
Frank Warren: What I’d like to do now is share with you a very special handful of secrets from
that collection, starting with this one. "I found these stamps as a child, and I
have been waiting all my life to have someone to send them to. I never did
have someone." Secrets can take many forms. They can be shocking or silly
or soulful. They can connect us to our deepest humanity or with people we’ll
never meet. (Laughter) Maybe one of you sent this one in. I don’t know. This
one does a great job of demonstrating the creativity that people have when
they make and mail me a postcard. This one obviously was made out of half a
Starbucks cup with a stamp and my home address written on the other side.
Frank Warren: "Dear Birthmother, I have great parents. I’ve found love. I’m happy." Secrets
can remind us of the countless human dramas, of frailty and heroism, playing
out silently in the lives of people all around us even now. "Everyone who knew
me before 9/11 believes I’m dead." "I used to work with a bunch of uptight
religious people, so sometimes I didn’t wear panties, and just had a big smile
and chuckled to myself."
Frank Warren: This next one takes a little explanation before I share it with you. I love to
speak on college campuses and share secrets and the stories with students.
And sometimes afterwards I’ll stick around and sign books and take photos
with students. And this next postcard was made out of one of those photos.
And I should also mention that, just like today, at that PostSecret event, I was
using a wireless microphone. "Your mic wasn’t off during sound check. We
all heard you pee." (Laughter) This was really embarrassing when it happened,
until I realized it could have been worse. Right. You know what I’m saying.
FOOOOTERAPPENDIXRIGHT
Learn without forgetting! i
HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
Frank Warren: "Inside this envelope is the ripped up remains of a suicide note I didn’t use. I
feel like the happiest person on Earth (now.)" "One of these men is the father
of my son. He pays me a lot to keep it a secret."
Frank Warren: "That Saturday when you wondered where I was, well, I was getting your ring.
It’s in my pocket right now." I had this postcard posted on the PostSecret blog
two years ago on Valentine’s Day. It was the very bottom, the last secret in
the long column. And it hadn’t been up for more than a couple hours before I
received this exuberant email from the guy who mailed me this postcard. And
he said, "Frank, I’ve got to share with you this story that just played out in my
life." He said, "My knees are still shaking."
Frank Warren: He said, "For three years, my girlfriend and I, we’ve made it this Sunday morning
ritual to visit the PostSecret blog together and read the secrets out loud. I
read some to her, she reads some to me." He says, "It’s really brought us closer
together through the years. And so when I discovered that you had posted my
surprise proposal to my girlfriend at the very bottom, I was beside myself. And
I tried to act calm, not to give anything away. And just like every Sunday, we
started reading the secrets out loud to each other." He said, "But this time it
seemed like it was taking her forever to get through each one." But she finally
did. She got to that bottom secret, his proposal to her. And he said, "She read
it once and then she read it again." And she turned to him and said, "Is that our
cat?" (Laughter) And when she saw him, he was down on one knee, he had the
ring out. He popped the question, she said yes. It was a very happy ending. So
I emailed him back and I said, "Please share with me an image, something, that
I can share with the whole PostSecret community and let everyone know your
fairy tale ending." And he emailed me this picture.
Frank Warren: "I found your camera at Lollapalooza this summer. I finally got the pictures
developed and I’d love to give them to you." This picture never got returned
back to the people who lost it, but this secret has impacted many lives, starting
with a student up in Canada named Matty. Matty was inspired by that secret
to start his own website, a website called IFoundYourCamera. Matty invites
people to mail him digital cameras that they’ve found, memory sticks that have
been lost with orphan photos. And Matty takes the pictures off these cameras
and posts them on his website every week. And people come to visit to see if
they can identify a picture they’ve lost or help somebody else get the photos
back to them that they might be desperately searching for. This one’s my
favorite.
FOOOOTERAPPENDIXLEFT
Learn without forgetting! ii
HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
Frank Warren: Matty has found this ingenious way to leverage the kindness of strangers. And
it might seem like a simple idea, and it is, but the impact it can have on people’s
lives can be huge. Matty shared with me an emotional email he received from
the mother in that picture. "That’s me, my husband and son. The other pictures
are of my very ill grandmother. Thank you for making your site. These pictures
mean more to me than you know. My son’s birth is on this camera. He turns
four tomorrow." Every picture that you see there and thousands of others have
been returned back to the person who lost it – sometimes crossing oceans,
sometimes going through language barriers.
Frank Warren: This is the last postcard I have to share with you today. "When people I love
leave voicemails on my phone I always save them in case they die tomorrow
and I have no other way of hearing their voice ever again." When I posted
this secret, dozens of people sent voicemail messages from their phones,
sometimes ones they’d been keeping for years, messages from family or friends
who had died. They said that by preserving those voices and sharing them, it
helped them keep the spirit of their loved ones alive. One young girl posted
the last message she ever heard from her grandmother.
Frank Warren: Secrets can take many forms. They can be shocking or silly or soulful. They can
connect us with our deepest humanity or with people we’ll never meet again.
Voicemail recording: First saved voice message: (Grandma singing) It’s somebody’s birthday today -
somebody’s birthday today. The candles are lighted on somebody’s cake - and
we’re all invited - for somebody’s sake. You’re 21 years old today. Have a real
happy birthday, and I love you. I’ll say bye for now.
Frank Warren: Thank you.
FOOOOTERAPPENDIXRIGHT
Learn without forgetting! iii
HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
Key
1. Warm up
5 mins.
Ask the students to provide a few examples of secrets. Then they discuss the questions that follow. Monitor the
task.
2. Focus on vocabulary
10 mins.
Part A
Students match the words to their correct definitions. Ask them to check their answers in pairs, or you can check
them together as a class.
1. uptight (adj.) 2. ingenious (adj.)

3. artful (adj.) 4. virally (adv.)
5. leverage (v) 6. chuckle (v)
7. soulful (adj.) 8. frailty (n)
Part B
Students complete the gaps in the sentences with the correct word from Part A. Note that they may change the
form of the word.
1. chuckled 2. ingenious
3. frailty 4. virally
5. soulful 6. leverage
7. uptight 8. artful
3. Watching comprehension
10 mins.
Students watch a video about Frank Warren’s story of collecting anonymous secrets from people around the world
and the impact these confessions have on individuals’ lives. Play the first part of the video (00:00 - 06:25) and ask
the students to answer the questions. Note that the answers may slightly vary.
1. It is a blog dedicated to sharing secrets anonymously.

2. It was a secret shared by someone saying that whenever he/she has a rude customer, he/she would serve him
a decaf coffee.
3. The speaker forgot to switch it off and went to the bathroom.
4. Watching for details
10 - 15 mins.
Students choose the best answer for each of the questions 1 - 7. Play the video again, this time both parts (00:00
- 10:00). Ask them to read and answer the questions after the first listening. If you have time, allow the students
to watch again to check their answers.
You may also want to elicit the words scant (very little, not much) and facilitate (make something possible or easier).
Learn without forgetting! iv
HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
1. b. 2. b. 3. b. 4. c. 5. b. 6. c. 7. a.
5. Reading for gist
5 - 10 mins.
Students read a summary of a video about Frank Warren’s story and match the sentences to the correct gaps 1 -
4.
1. D. With just 3,000 self-addressed postcards, he initiated what would become known as PostSecret.
2. A. There are countless of them, some of them profound, some humorous, and others sorrowful.
3. E. PostSecret’s ongoing success serves as a reminder of the value of human connection.
4. B. It is a website dedicated to reuniting lost cameras with their owners.
Note that two sentences are extra:
C. The idea quickly gained momentum, with people across the United States and around the world joining in.
F. It is an example of the value of anonymity and the human need for connection and sharing.
6. Finding vocabulary
5 mins.
You may want to set a strict time limit on this task to encourage students to skim read rather than read in detail.
Students read a summary again and find vocabulary which has the same meaning as the following definitions.
1. embrace 2. evolve into 3. poignant

4. affirmation 5. reclaim 6. straightforward
7. Talking point
10 - 15 mins.
Parts 1 - 2
Students discuss the questions together in pairs or small groups. Monitor the task. Then draw the students’
attention to the definition of a blabbermouth and encourage them to discuss the following questions revolving
around this word.
Part 3
This part is designed as a fun social game for students. Tell them to write down a secret about themselves on
a piece of paper. Once everyone has written their secrets, collect them (you may put them in a container). Ask
students to take turns to pick out a secret and try to guess which classmate wrote it. Remind students that they
need to write their secrets anonymously.
8. Optional extension / homework
10 - 15 mins.
Part 1
Students complete the sentences and the crossword using vocabulary from the lesson.
Down:
1. The video spread virally across social media platforms, garnering millions of views within hours of being posted.
2. The artful arrangement of colors and textures in the painting drew the critics’ attention.
5. The engineer’s ingenious solution to the problem saved the company both time and money.
7. The company aimed to leverage innovative technology to gain a competitive edge in the market.
FOOOOTERAPPENDIXRIGHT v
Learn without forgetting!
HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
9. She’s always so uptight about keeping everything perfectly organized.

Across:
3. After years of neglect, the community came together to reclaim the abandoned park, turning it into a vibrant
green space for all to enjoy.
4. The novel’s ending was especially poignant, leaving readers crying and reflecting on the themes of love and
loss.
6. Despite her physical frailty, her spirit remained strong.
8. The singer delivered a soulful performance, leaving the audience deeply moved by the emotion in her voice.
10. His instructions were clear and straightforward, making it easy for everyone to understand their tasks.
11. During the meeting, he couldn’t resist sharing confidential information, earning himself a reputation as the
office blabbermouth.
Part 2
Students read the fragment from the audioscript and write the word that best fits in each gap. Note that more
than one answer is possible, and the answers may vary. Play the video (03:13 - 04:03) so the students can check
what words were used by the speaker in the video.
1. explanation 2. with 3. around

4. made 5. mention 6. embarrassing
9. Speaking: Cue cards
5 - 15 mins.
Explain the task to the students: they will work in pairs or small groups, take turns selecting a cue card, and discuss
the topic with their partner(s) for 2-3 minutes. Remind students to use the vocabulary and grammar structures
they’ve learned during their conversation. Monitor the discussions, providing assistance or clarification if needed.
After the activity, conduct brief feedback to discuss any interesting points that arose during the conversations.
Variations: For larger classes, consider having students rotate partners halfway through the activity to maximize
interaction.
Feel free to adjust the cue cards or instructions further based on your students’ proficiency level and interests.
Learn without forgetting! vi

Half A Million Secrets American English Teacher B2 C1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Half A Million Secrets American English Teacher B2 C1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Half A Million Secrets American English Teacher B2 C1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

HEAAADERLOGORIGHT

GENERAL ENGLISH · ENGLISH IN VIDEO · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 1/10

HALF A MILLION SECRETS

artful (adj.) chuckle (v) frailty (n) ingenious (adj.)

1. : behaving in a very correct way, not able to relax

2. : very intelligent and skillful

3. : showing creative skill

4. : very quickly, especially on the Internet

5. : use (something) in order to achieve something or make proﬁts

6. : laugh quietly, especially in a private or secret way

7. : expressing strong emotions, especially sadness

8. : the condition of being weak or not in good health

1. He had a big smile and to himself.

4. The idea was a hit and soon began spreading .

5. I cried my eyes out when she sang that song.

7. I used to work with a bunch of people and had to wear a tie.

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 2/10

HALF A MILLION SECRETS

1. What makes PostSecret.com unique?

2. What is the story behind a decaf coﬀee?

3. What is the story behind a wireless microphone?

4 Watching for details

1. How did Frank Warren start collecting secrets?

a. He bought them from a store in Washington.

b. He handed out self-addressed postcards on the streets.

2. From whom did Frank start receiving secrets?

a. only from citizens of Washington, D.C.

b. from people living in various places, including other countries

c. only from his friends and family

3. What does Frank mention about the PostSecret blog?

a. It is an ad-free blog with scant visitor statistics.

b. It is primarily focused on sharing personal stories.

c. It features sponsored content.

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 3/10

HALF A MILLION SECRETS

4. According to Frank, what is the main purpose of sharing secrets?

a. To create humorous anecdotes.

b. To entertain others with shocking stories.

c. To connect with others on a more profound level.

5. What is the signiﬁcance of the secret posted on Valentine’s Day?

a. It received the most attention from readers.

b. It led to a surprising proposal between a couple.

c. It marked the end of the PostSecret blog.

6. What is the main purpose of the website "IFoundYourCamera"?

a. To sell lost cameras and memory sticks.

b. To showcase the collection of lost photographs.

c. To reunite lost photos with their rightful owners.

a. It provides emotional connections through shared memories.

b. It facilitates the exchange of photos preserving cherished memories.

c. It increases the value of lost cameras and photos.

5 Reading for gist

B. It is a website dedicated to reuniting lost cameras with their owners.

E. PostSecret’s ongoing success serves as a reminder of the value of human connection.

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 4/10

HALF A MILLION SECRETS

1. (v): accept or adopt something willingly or eagerly

2. (v): develop gradually

3. (adj.): causing a feeling of sadness