Discussion Worksheet: The IKEA Effect

I feel like I can remember the day that IKEA came to our city. Somewhere a bit in the middle of nowhere, of course, where space was cheap. I had never heard of it before, and didn’t pay much mind to it. Those around me thought it was just the cat’s pajamas. My curiosity never peaked enough to check it out, so when I finally walked into an IKEA at the age of 27, looking to buy our first piece of furniture together with my now wife (no thanks to that venture…), I was shocked, elated, appalled, bewildered, sad and inspired all at the same time. Does anybody else understand what I’m talking about? Your students might. Use this IKEA effect discussion worksheet to relive pleasant and painful memories in the furniture paradise that is IKEA.

Here is a suggested sequence for using this discussion worksheet:

• Warm-up question suggestion: Tell us about the last time you went to IKEA.
• Watch the video once without subtitles.
• Work through the vocabulary on the worksheet and answer any questions.
• Watch the video again with the subtitles.
• Put students in pairs to complete the listening comprehension questions.
• Put students in pairs to complete the speaking activity.
• Put students in small groups to complete the group activity.

The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pKQx0UsAC8