B2 – Upper Intermediate
The list of topics social media influencers are posting about is endless. Among them are lifestyle, fashion, sports, travel, gaming, and music. Some social media influencers are even engaging in topics of political nature. In some cases, some of them even decide to join politics eventually.
So, what really happens when influencers become politicians?
Listen to the audio and read the transcript on how influencers are affecting politics.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-251127
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “to shape the narrative” mean? “In Nigeria, influencers are shaping the narrative of elections.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.
- What does “pushback” mean? “What about in Nigeria? Is there a pushback against these influencers who got involved in promoting political parties?” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.
- What does “to dig up information about someone” mean? “In fact, the public reaction was so bad, people started todig up information about influencers who promote politicians.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.
Discussion Questions:
- Share your thoughts on how social media influencers becoming politicians.
- What is your opinion about politicians paying for the support of influencers?
- Do influencers also endorse politicians in your country? Is there a pushback against these influencers who got involved in promoting political parties?
- What is the importance of social media personalities’ job?
- Do you follow any social media influencers? Why do you follow them?