Lesson: Body image

As a private English teacher, özel İngilizce öğretmeni, I encounter many students who prefer to focus on English speaking practice, İngilizce konuşma, in our private English lessons, İngilizce özel ders, in İstanbul. This evening my student S. initiated the conversation topic of models with eating disorders.  Without any preparation in advance, together we brainstormed the following language:

I have...an eating disorder/anorexia/bulimia.
He struggles to overcome a health problem.
She fights a mental illness.
He is disappearing/vanishing.
She feels unique/special/embarrassed.
She looks too thin.
He loses weight.
Her blood pressure/blood sugar/pulse rate is too low.
His heart is weak.
First the person must admit they have a problem.
Next the person must get used to the idea of therapy.
Finally the person must follow a new diet with proper nutrition.
Body image is mental.
Body shape is physical.
We are thin/slim/slender/average build.
We want to be strong, attractive, and fit so we have a healthy body image.
They only want to be thin so they have an unhealthy body image.

Next, we listened to "Struggling to Overcome Anorexia" by Lauryn Silverman, NPR, May 16, 2005, link

We come up with ideas of how to support a healthy body image.  We can praise people for their talents, not just their physical appearance.

I give the following assignment:

1. How does changing the physical appearance of a magazine model's photograph using Photoshop change our perception of body image?
2. How can we be positive role models for a healthy body image for our friends and family?

Continue English speaking practice about the human body with the lesson English euphemisms for pregnancy