Quick Lesson Overview:
In this song-based step-by-step lesson plan for English language teaching, students interact with the lyrics and behind-the-scenes footage of “What Was I Made For” by Billie Eilish. Students guess which words appear in the lyrics, engage in discussion on key themes of the song, and complete a listening comprehension activity using a behind-the-scenes video.
- Language level: B1+ B2
- Learner type: All ages
- Skills: speaking, reading, listening, writing
- Topic: Self-Identity, Emotions
- Materials: Music video, lyric video, behind-the-scenes edited video, Genially presentation
- Duration: about an hour
- Downloadable materials: Instructions.pdf
Objectives Of This ESL Song Lesson Plan:
- To develop students’ listening skills through lyric comprehension and engagement with behind-the-scenes footage.
- To improve students’ speaking skills by fostering discussion and personal reflection on song themes.
- To encourage critical thinking as students interpret and connect with the song lyrics.
Welcome to the Song Activity Factory! Here, we follow the rules of The Creative Jedi Code:
How to Teach English with “What Was I Made For”: Instructions
Step 1 (5min)
Slide 01 GENIALLY PRESENTATION LINK featuring a list of five words (drive, feel, love, sad, happy). Ask students to predict which word they think will NOT appear in the lyrics of the song and explain their reasoning.
Step 2 ( 10 min)
Play the music video of “What Was I Made For” (Slide 2), allowing students to identify the word not in the lyrics (LOVE) Then, play the lyric video (Slide 3), asking students to pay close attention to the lyrics to prepare for a later discussion.
Step 3 (10 min)
Prompt a class discussion on the themes present in the song. Use the suggested questions about identity and purpose, emotions and vulnerability, and change and hope. Encourage students to share their perspectives and personal experiences, fostering a mini-discussion.
Suggested questions:
1- Have you ever found yourself asking "What am I made for?" What were the circumstances? 2- Can you relate to the line "I don't know how to feel, But I wanna try"? Was there a time when you struggled to understand your own feelings? 3- How do you interpret the line "Think I forgot how to be happy, Somethin' I'm not, but somethin' I can be"? Have you ever felt that you forgot how to be happy, but believed you could find happiness again? In which situations would someone feel like this?
Step 4 (15min)
Engage students with the “Behind the Scenes” video. (slide 4) First, have students watch the video without subtitles and answer questions about it.
questions: What does Billie say about the old Barbie dolls? What does she say about choosing her different mini outfits for the video?
(pause the video before the next exercise) Then, resume the the video with gapped subtitles. Students watch it twice and fill in the missing words. After, they check their answers in pairs. Finally, play the gapped video again, pausing after each gap to discuss and confirm the correct answers. SEE ANSWERS ON THE INSTRUCTIONS.PDF
ESL Video Interview: BIllie Eilish On What Was I Made For Music Video
Step 5 (5 min)
You can play the Music Video again and ask student to comment a little more about their overall interpretation of the song and finish the activity.
Song Activity Factory 
Hi Billie. I wanted to tell you, I’m a big fan. I am starting to sing your song , “What was I made for” from the Barbie movie. I am also listening to an Audible book on your life.
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