INTEGRATING PICK UP LINES IN ESL CLASSROOMS

July 17, 2019

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Pick up lines (PULs) have become viral for quite some time and they are expressed in almost all
languages across the globe. One can easily find a repertoire of PULs if one searches them online.
In the context of teaching English as a second or foreign language, those PULs can be used as
stimuli for various learning emphases. These are some examples of PULs and how they can be
integrated in ESL/EFL lessons.
 
SAMPLE 1:
 
Lesson: WRITING
Focus: Pre-writing task for this question; “Love is blind. How far do you agree with this
statement?”. The pick up lines can be used as stimuli to trigger more responses from learners.
 

 
SAMPLE 2:
 
Lesson: GRAMMAR
 
Focus: Construction of compound or complex sentences
 
1. Your legs must be tired because you have been running through my mind all night.
2. Your legs must be tired when you have to run through my mind all night.
3. Your legs must be tired after running through my mind all night.

 
 Examples of COMPOUND SENTENCES:
 

 SAMPLE 3:
 
Lesson focus: LITERATURE
 
Focus: Literary devices such as simile, symbol or metaphor. Learners are encouraged to create
their own PULs and they need to determine whether their PULs are a simile, symbol or metaphor.
 

 SAMPLE 4:
 Lesson focus: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
 
Focus: The art of asking questions.
 
The PULs can be used by average learners to rehearse asking questions in English. The more they
ask questions, the more confident they become in using English for communicative purposes.
Examples of questions:
 
1. Are you a magician? Because whenever I look at you, everyone else disappears.  
2. Do I know you? Because you look a lot like my next girlfriend/ boyfriend.
3. Are you religious? Because you are the answer to all my prayers.
4. Is your father a terrorist? Because you are the bomb!
5. Is your name Google? Because you have everything I have been searching for.
 
 
SAMPLE 5:
 
Lesson focus: GRAMMAR
 
Focus: Articles
 
The PULs can be used as examples to show the use of articles. Using PULs will surely add fun
and excitement to the normally dreary grammar lessons.
 
1. Hello, I am a thief and I am here to steal your heart.
2. Is your father an alien? There is nothing else like you on Earth!
3. Do you have an eraser? I want to erase your past and write our future!
4. You remind me of a magnet because you are attracting me over here!
5. Somebody please call the cops. She has robbed my heart.
 
 
All those PULs above, of course are not mine. They are taken from these sources:
 
https://thoughtcatalog.com/rania-naim/2016/04/50-hilarious-cheesy-pick-up-lines-that-will-
definitely-make-your-crush-smile/
 
https://www.pickuplinesgalore.com/cheesy.html
 
 
Definitely, there are more links for PULs. Other PULs may offer ESL/EFL teachers different
ideas for their classrooms. It is up to the teachers’ creativity how each PUL can be integrated into
the focus of the lesson. Personally, I am positive, no matter how you use the PULs, they will
surely inject fun into your English lessons. Moreover, capable proficient learners will also
develop their creativity and critical thinking skills when they are assigned to compose their own
PULs. Collaboration and communication can be enhanced too if their tasks are to be completed in
groups. In short, PULs are fun and should be incorporated in our ESL/EFL classrooms as it offers
a host of benefits! Your learners will surely love it!