Arjun's Bollywood Dream

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Embark on a colorful and moving journey to the heart of India and Bollywood! This inspiring story tells the journey of Arjun, a young dancer willing to do anything to achieve his dream. It is a magnificent lesson on perseverance, family solidarity, and the strength of a community. Ideal for the B1 level, this beautifully illustrated resource is perfect for addressing universal themes, enriching cultural vocabulary, and sparking exciting classroom discussions.

In short

CEFR level :B1

Class level :Level 3, Level 4, Level 5

Type :Stories

Cultural themes :Countires & Landscapes, Arts & Feelings

A narrative resource for your class

Spark your students' curiosity with this ready-to-use story. It is specifically designed to address and illustrate key points of Anglophone culture.

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Pedagogical Guide

Objective & Resource Content

The objective is to improve comprehension of a narrative with a clear emotional thread, to discuss themes of **ambition**, **community**, and **perseverance**, and to discover vocabulary related to **Indian culture** and the **performing arts**.

"**Arjun's Bollywood Dream**" tells the story of Arjun, a teenager from a poor village in India who dreams of becoming a dancer in **Bollywood**. Upon seeing an advertisement for an audition in Mumbai, he despairs because his family cannot afford to finance the trip. His sister, **Anika**, pushes him to try and organizes a performance in the village to raise funds. Moved by his talent, the villagers give him money, considering it an "**investment**" in him. In Mumbai, Arjun overcomes his intimidation and delivers an emotionally charged performance. Returning home, he learns by letter that he has earned a role in the musical, ready to dance for his people.

Suggested Lesson Flow

Before the Activity (~5 min): WHAT IS BOLLYWOOD?

Ask students what they know about **Bollywood**. If possible, show a very short video clip of a Bollywood dance scene. Brainstorm vocabulary related to cinema, dance, and dreams.

During the Activity (~15-20 min): FOLLOWING THE DREAM

**First Reading:** Students read the story individually. Ask them to focus on the major stages of Arjun's journey: 1. The Dream, 2. The Obstacle, 3. The Solution, 4. The Audition, 5. The Result.
**Comprehension Check:** Ask questions that follow the plot: "What is Arjun's dream?", "What is his problem?", "What is his sister's idea?", "What happens at the audition?", "Does he succeed?".

After the Activity (~10-15 min): THEMES TO DISCUSS

In small groups or as a whole class, initiate a **discussion** on the deeper themes of the story.
Possible questions: "Why was the community's help so important?", "The village elder says it's an 'investment'. What does he mean?", "How does Arjun's dance change from his room to the audition?".

Adaptations

**To Simplify:** Pre-teach key vocabulary (*audition, afford, community, donation, determination*). Read the story aloud, pausing after each page to ask simple comprehension questions.
**To Extend:** Ask students to **write a reply** to Arjun's letter from the perspective of the village elder. What would the elder say to Arjun upon hearing the good news? This encourages creative writing and empathy.