Teen trends: what’s hot and what’s not

WHAT’S HOT

Holidays are an excuse to spend time on social media. “GOING TO COOL PLACES ON HOLIDAY TO PUT ON INSTAGRAM”, LOLA, 16, UK WHAT’S NOT

Even teenagers have a social media limit! “POSTING TOO MUCH ON SOCIAL MEDIA, OR NOT POSTING ENOUGH – REALLY ANNOYING OR THEY DON’T EXIST”, LOLA, 16, UK

Trap is a sub-genre of music, with influences from hip hop, dubstep, rap and trance music. “AMERICAN AND ENGLISH TRAP [MUSIC]” ALEX, 13, SPAIN

Events happen in real life and on social media simultaneously! “SOMETHING THAT IS VERY POPULAR I MY SCHOOL IS GOING OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS. IT CAN BE TO A TRENDY PLACE AROUND TOWN, TO A PARTY, A HOUSE, OR PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE BUT IT HAS TO BE SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU CAN TAKE PICTURES WITH THEM AND BRAG ABOUT IT ON THE INTERNET. IT’S KIND OF LIKE AN UNSPOKEN RULE THAT IF YOU GO OUT WITH SOMEONE YOU INSTANTLY POST AN INSTAGRAM STORY ABOUT IT.” PABLO, 15, GUATEMALA

Toy trends have a short lifespan. “FIDGET SPINNERS ARE JUST BORING.” IZZY, 13, UK

So do dance moves! “DABBING AND FLOSSING [DANCE MOVES] USED TO BE COOL. NOW THEY’RE RATHER SAD.” JUAN CARLOS, 14, MEXICO

SAMANTHA LEWIS (AUTHOR, TEACHER AND TEACHER TRAINER): “To maximise output in a speaking task: Give teens a clear, definite goal such as a set number or a minimum number of things to discuss, find, compare etc. For example, make a list of comedy films, compare lists and find at least three films that you and your partner have seen more than once.”

DAN VINCENT (AUTHOR, TEACHER AND TEACHER TRAINER) Set clear, achievable goals, but remember that a year is a long time in the life of a teenager and the end of the course can seem a lifetime away. Make sure those goals are short-term, frequent, and paced out throughout the year. Project work is ideal for this.