Warm Up
The Eurovision Song Contest is often described as a bit like Marmite — people tend to love it or hate it. Marmite is a famous British food spread made from yeast extract, and its slogan for many years has been “Love it or hate it.” The phrase has now become a common expression in English. When something is called “Marmite,” it means it strongly divides opinion: some people are enthusiastic fans, while others cannot stand it. Eurovision has this reputation because for some viewers it is a joyful celebration of music, costumes, and international culture, while for others it feels over-the-top, strange, or even chaotic.
Not Eurovision Fans?
By the way, if no one in your group cares about Eurovision – go to this culture-filled lesson plan instead:
Discussion Question
Can you think of other things that are a bit like Marmite — things that people either love or hate? For example: certain foods, music styles, TV shows, fashion trends, or hobbies. Share your ideas with the class and explain why you think they divide opinion.
Contemporary British Culture
Across the UK, Eurovision watch parties have quietly shifted from niche gatherings into one of the country’s most recognisable shared social events.
What was once seen as something slightly ironic or “camp” to watch has become a genuine excuse for people to come together.
A typical watch party now often involves themed food, scorecards, national flags, fancy dress, sweepstakes, Eurovision playlists, and living rooms decorated almost like mini festivals. Friends arrive early, families watch together across generations, and social media fills with reactions throughout the evening.
Increasingly, Eurovision is no longer something people apologise for enjoying — it has become a warm, communal event that gives people permission to be playful, celebratory, and collective for a night.
Part of this shift may reflect wider social changes happening in the UK.
Many people socialise differently than they did twenty years ago.
Rising living costs mean fewer nights spent in pubs, clubs, or expensive city-centre events, while home-based gatherings have become more attractive and affordable.
At the same time, family life has changed too: parents are often more likely to include children within social spaces rather than organising separate adult-only evenings. Eurovision fits this new kind of socialising remarkably well. It is light-hearted, highly visual,
intergenerational, and easy to build an evening around without spending very much money. In a period where many people feel politically divided, financially stretched, or digitally isolated, Eurovision also offers something increasingly valuable: a shared cultural moment where millions of people are reacting together in real time.
The influence of LGBTQ+ culture has also played an important role in Eurovision’s mainstream popularity in the UK. For many years, Eurovision was strongly embraced within queer communities because of its theatricality, emotional openness, humour, performance style, and celebration of difference. As LGBTQ+ culture has become more visible and influential within mainstream British media, fashion, music, and entertainment, many of the qualities once mocked in Eurovision are now widely celebrated. The contest’s atmosphere of inclusivity, self-expression, irony, joy, and emotional sincerity feels much more aligned with contemporary British culture than it did in previous decades.
In a period where many people feel politically divided, financially stretched, or digitally isolated, Eurovision also offers something increasingly valuable: a shared cultural moment where millions of people are reacting together in real time.
Discussion Questions
- Read the text and identify all the social and cultural factors that may explain Eurovision’s growing popularity and the rise of Eurovision watch parties in the UK.
- Do you see similar changes happening in your own country?
- Are there any TV programmes or events that bring people together in a similar way?
About Britishness in English Learning
For many English learners, “learning English” can feel strangely tied to performing a version of Britishness — sounding British, understanding every cultural reference, or fitting into narrow ideas about what “good English” looks like. But language is not identity replacement.
In this blog, we explore how English can become a tool for connection, expression, work, creativity, and travel — without losing your own personality, culture, humour, or voice.
‘You Are Beautiful*’
I have a Mika song stuck in my head since Eurovision Song Contest.
It’s making me think about what makes a song catchy — and whether that’s a sign of a good song, a Eurovision winner, or both. Some songs seem designed to stay in your mind long after you’ve heard them.
Do your favourite songs get stuck in your head — or is it sometimes songs you don’t like that keep repeating?
Psychologists sometimes call this an “earworm”: a piece of music that plays in your mind over and over again without you choosing it.
Discussion questions
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Do your favourite songs get stuck in your head?
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Or are they sometimes songs you don’t like very much?
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What do you think makes a song catchy?
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Have you ever heard any tips for getting a song out of your head once it’s there?
Known Remedies
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Listen to the song properly
Sometimes the brain keeps repeating a short part because it feels unfinished. Listening to the whole song once can give your brain a sense of completion. -
Chew gum
Some studies suggest that chewing gum occupies the same mental processes used for repeating music in your mind, which can help interrupt the loop. -
Switch your attention to another task
Try doing something that requires concentration — a puzzle, reading, cooking, or a short conversation. -
Replace it with another song
Some people deliberately think of a different song that is calmer or less repetitive. -
Accept it and let it pass
Sometimes the more you try to force the song away, the stronger it comes back. Letting it sit there for a while often makes it fade on its own.
Language Work
1. Modal Suggestions
Structure
You could + verb
You might + verb
You should + verb
Examples
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You could listen to the whole song once.
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You might try chewing gum.
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You should focus on another activity.
3. “Why don’t you…?”
Structure
Why don’t you + verb?
Examples
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Why don’t you listen to the song once?
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Why don’t you go for a walk?
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Why don’t you play a different song?
2. “Try + -ing”
Structure
Try + verb-ing
Examples
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Try listening to another song.
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Try doing a puzzle.
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Try talking to someone.
4. “You could try…”
Structure
You could try + verb-ing
Examples
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You could try chewing gum.
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You could try concentrating on another task.
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You could try listening to the song properly.
Practical Exercise
Now invent your own remedies for getting a song out of your head.
Try to make your remedy sound convincing, but also a little strange or unusual. Imagine you are giving serious advice, even if the idea is a bit ridiculous.
Explain:
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What the person should do
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Why it works
You can use suggestion structures such as:
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You could…
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You might try…
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Why don’t you…?
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One idea is to…
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Some people say that…
Example
Some people say that you should eat something very sour, like a lemon. The strong taste surprises your brain and interrupts the music loop.
Now invent two or three remedies of your own.
Listening Exercise
Not sure if Eurovision is for you?
Here’s Ruth talking about last weekend’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Listening Comprehension Practice
Here’s a sneak peek at the questions our mailing list subscribers will receive along with the video:
- What adjectives do I use to describe Holland’s entry?
- Why did I watch Eurovision at my dad’s house?
- Why do you think I loved Eurovision this year? (I give several reasons).
- Do you think I will watch it again next year?
ELT Lesson Plans
Lesson Plans and Class Ideas
If you are searching for alternative resources to bring into your classroom, we have a few that target authentic English.
They’re a by-product of our own teaching work, which we post on our site for free, as we are: anti-waste, pro-independent teachers & collaboration pro-making English learning interesting for all.
→ FREE ELT Resources for English Teachers
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