PREVIEW ACTIVITY Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.

Overthinking The Hell Out Of Everthing (C1)

PAGE 1

Describe what it means to overthink in your own words. Then discuss the
PART 1
questions below.

TO OVERTHINK

1 What could be some negative consequences of overthinking?

2 Are you an overthinker? If so, what do you overthink? If not, do you know
someone who overthinks and what they overthink?

Below are some words/phrases describing thought patterns. Which ones refer to
PART 2
healthy/unhealthy thought patterns? Use a dictionary/translator if necessary.

overthinking like hell engaging in self-reflection

dwelling practicing mindfulness
engaging in insightful introspection beating oneself up
ruminating letting go of thoughts

HEALTHY UNHEALTHY
thought patterns thought patterns

PART 3 Discuss the questions below about thought patterns.

1 Which thought patterns in Part 2 do you practice or engage in?
2 Can you think of any other words/phrases that describe healthy and
unhealthy thought patterns?
OVERTHINKING THE HELL Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.

OUT OF EVERYTHING Overthinking The Hell Out Of Everthing (C1)

PAGE 2

PREVIEW DISCUSSION

What can a person do to prevent or manage

overthinking?

VIEWING ACTIVITY

PART 1 Discuss/Write short answers according to the information in the video. Then watch
the video again to check your answers if necessary.

0:35 1 What are the negative consequences of overthinking and rumination?

0:50 2 What example situation of overthinking does Anna describe?

2:20 3 What line did Anna read in a study that helped her manage overthinking?

Complete the missing information in Anna’s tips for managing overthinking. Then
PART 2
discuss each question. Watch the video again to check your answers if necessary.

2:44 1 Practice
How can you practice and train this ability?

3:25 2 Be
What examples of this tip does she offer?

3:52 3 Practice compassionate

Instead of beating yourself up when you make mistakes, what can you do?

Did you offer any of the same or similar tips/ideas in the Preview Discussion? If so,
PART 3
which ones?
 VIEWING FOLLOW-UP Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.
Overthinking The Hell Out Of Everthing (C1)
PAGE 3

PART 1 Discuss the questions below.

1 Have you ever tried any of Anna’s tips? If so, how effective were they?
If not, which do you think would be the best for you to try and why?

2 Have you ever overthought something silly, like Anna analyzing the
punctuation in a friend’s text message? If so, describe the situation(s).
If not, why do you think you’re able to avoid those types of thoughts?

Read the example of Anna’s internal dialogue below when she is overthinking. Then
PART 2
discuss the questions below.

“ Is it okay that I said that last night? I shouldn’t have said that. Am I being
difficult? Does everyone think that I’m difficult? Everyone must hate me.
I’ll never get it right. Should I apologize?”

1 Which sentence in this quote uses a past modal verb? How do you know?
2 When is this past modal used? What does it express?
3 How is this past modal formed grammatically?

Fill in Greg’s internal dialogue the day after a party he attended. Use the past
PART 3
modal form in Part 2 and a verb that fits the context. Some can be negative.

1 Did I make a good impression at the party last night? I probably

so much. I always feel like my stories are too long.

2 I something more stylish to the party too. Everyone

else looked so put-together.

3 I wonder if I offended Alex when I disagreed with her about the movie.
I more cautious with my words.

4 I such cheap wine to the party. Everyone must think

I’m a strict penny-pincher.

Greg 5 I bet Alan thinks I’m a jerk. I his hand more firmly
when we introduced ourselves.
ROLE PLAY & INSIGHTFUL Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.
INTROSPECTIONS Overthinking The Hell Out Of Everthing (C1)
PAGE 4

OPTION 1: OVERTHINKING ROLEPLAY

• Choose a real or imaginary issue that you’re overthinking, or come up with your own.
• Briefly specify/describe the issue you’re overthinking in the space below.
• Take one of the roles below and do the role play. Then switch roles and repeat.

A social interaction with someone A work/career/school issue

A relationship/interpersonal conflict A health issue
A decision you made or are facing A parenting issue

SPECIFY:

STUDENT A: OVERTHINKER STUDENT B: FRIEND

You’re overthinking something. You meet with a friend. They describe an

Describe the issue and details to a issue they’re overthinking and ask for
friend. Use the past modal verb should. advice. Listen to their issue, give them
Ask your friend for advice and answer advice, and ask them some questions.
any of their questions. Use some of the words/phrases below:

practice mindfulness overthink like hell

beat yourself up dwell
insightful introspection let go of thoughts

OPTION 2: OVERTHINKING VS. INSIGHTFUL INTROSPECTION

• Think of and describe a scenario/issue in which someone made a mistake.

• Create two internal dialogues this person has about this mistake — one in which they
overthink the mistake, and one in which they engage in insightful introspection.
• Use the past modal verb should in each internal dialogue.
• Share and compare your scenarios and internal dialogues with your class/teacher.

INSIGHTFUL
OVERTHINKING
INTROSPECTION
QUIZ & REVIEW ACTIVITY Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.
Overthinking The Hell Out Of Everthing (C1)
PAGE 5

PART 1 Answer each question below according to the information in the video.

1 What are the negative consequences of overthinking and rumination?

2 What example situation of overthinking does Anna describe?
3 What line did Anna read in a study that helped her manage overthinking?
4 What were Anna’s three tips for managing overthinking?

Write a word Anna uses in the video to describe healthy and unhealthy thought
PART 2
patterns.

1 overthinking like 4 practicing

2 engaging in insightful 5 oneself up
3 engaging in self- 6 go of thoughts

Write the past modal verb form that Anna uses in her internal dialogue when
PART 3
overthinking.

“Is it okay that I said that last night? that. Am I being

difficult? Does everyone think that I’m difficult? Everyone must hate me. I’ll never
get it right. Should I apologize?”

Write a few sentences of someone’s internal dialogue when overthinking an issue.

PART 4
In each sentence, use the same past modal verb form in Part 2.

1
2
3

LESSON REFLECTION:

Discuss the topics below about the lesson.

1 Did you learn or use any new vocabulary or grammar in this lesson? If so, what?
2 Did you learn anything new about overthinking? If so, explain.
3 What did you enjoy about the lesson?
4 Is there anything you found difficult about the lesson?