Activity Introduction
Quick summary: In this lesson, students use teamwork and multimodal stimuli to explore the idea of ‘imposter syndrome’. Students will apply critical and creative thinking skills to identify potential reasons for high rates of imposter syndrome and then to generate possible solutions.
It is highly recommended that this lesson is conducted after students have completed The Leadership: Viewing And Responding To The Film – English – Year 10. Please be mindful that this lesson handles difficult topics and may impact different students in different ways. Please ensure students have access to confidential support if they need it.
The Leadership is rated M for mature audiences and contains coarse language and themes of sexual harassment and abuse. Consider whether viewing this film or clips is appropriate for your students.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand what imposter syndrome is
- Students understand reasons for higher rates of imposter syndrome in women and people of colour
- Students will examine the contributing factors leading to imposter syndrome, and consider possible solutions.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Years 10 English:
- Analyse and evaluate how people, cultures, places, events, objects and concepts are represented in texts, including media texts, through language, structural and/or visual choices (ACELY1749)
- Identify and explore the purposes and effects of different text structures and language features of spoken texts, and use this knowledge to create purposeful texts that inform, persuade and engage (ACELY1750)
Syllabus outcomes: EN5-1A
General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability
Relevant parts of Year 10 achievement standards: Students create a wide range of texts to articulate complex ideas. They make presentations and contribute actively to class and group discussions, building on others’ ideas, solving problems, justifying opinions, and developing and expanding arguments.
Topic: Learning Through Film, Social Issues
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work The Leadership – English – Year 10.
Time required: 95 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: High – students may need verbal support and modelling to analyse the text along with emotional monitoring due to the nature of the content.
Resources required:
- Butchers paper or large sheets of paper (optional)
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student
- Device capable of presenting a video to the class
- Handling Sensitive Topics And Issues Factsheet
- How To Overcome ‘Imposter Syndrome’ Article (digital or printed copies)
- Sticky notes (optional)
Keywords: personal skills, problem finding, problem-solving, workplace skills, analysis, solution focus
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
