Jalyn Hall (right) as Emmett Till and Danielle Deadwyler as his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, in the film Till.

Emmett Till

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 09 February 2023 > Ready to Use Shine Bright Lycée


You may have never heard his name before, but you’ll never forget it after watching this film or even just the trailer for Till, written and directed by Chinonye Chukwu. These B1 activities explore the heart-wrenching story of 14-year-old Emmett Till who was lynched for misjudging Jim Crow conventions in the 1950s segregated American South.

This resource can be used as part of a sequence on the Civil Rights movement or Black Lives Matter with B1 students. For example:
Shine Bright 1e File 8 African-American Art
Shine Bright LLCER File 15 Equality on Trial
Shine Bright AMC File 5 Black Lives Matter

Vocabulary and structures

  • explaining past events: preterite (simple + be V-ing)
  • chronology of events: first, then , finally…
  • defining personalities: determined , strong-willed…
  • violence / discrimination: racism, segregated / segregation , murder , maim…
  • giving advice: should / ‘d better
  • expressing cause / consequence / paradox: since, as, thats’ why, however, even though…
  • giving opinions: I think, reckon / I find the film (+ adj)
  • expressing feelings: I feel / it’s moving…