Ancient Civilizations that Vanished
ESL Lesson PlansAncient Civilizations that Vanished

Ancient Civilizations that Vanished

In this 60-minute ESL lesson, students will delve into the mystery of ancient civilizations that disappeared unexpectedly, focusing on the ancestral Pueblo people. Through reading comprehension, listening exercises, and group discussions, students will explore the challenges faced by these ancient communities. They will practice using the modal verb "might have" to make historical assumptions about the factors that contributed to their downfall, such as social, political, and environmental influences.

Skills

  • Can follow the essentials of lectures, talks and reports and other forms of academic/professional presentation which are propositionally and linguistically complex.
Online Interactive
Based on CEFR
Fully Customizable
1

Work in pairs and interview each other. Take turns asking and answering these questions. Then, compare your answers, note down any interesting points your partner mentions, and share them with the class.

1
What do you find most fascinating about ancient civilizations?
2
In your opinion, what factors or conflicts contribute to the decline of a civilization?
3
How and where do you think ancient people used to live?
2

Glossary

3

Watch a video about The Ancestral Puebloans and choose the right summary.

4

Watch the video and together with a partner, answer the questions.

5

Read the text to learn how to make assumptions about the past. Then, fill the gaps in the sentences.

6

Fill in the blanks to discover different assumptions about the Ancestral Pueblo people.

7

Brainstorm these questions in pairs for 5 minutes. Then, choose one answer to share with the class.

Other lessons in this category

B1-B2
A Famous Story - Pride and Prejudice

This ESL lesson plan explores Pride and Prejudice, bringing group discussions and speaking exercises to B1/B2-level adults in a 60-minute session. Students will explore themes of love, prejudice, and self-awareness, comparing them to personal experiences and modern-day situations. Through interactive dialogues, character analysis, and comprehension questions, this lesson fosters a deeper understanding of universal themes in classic literature while developing speaking skills and critical thinking about relationships and social dynamics.

A2
Welcome to My Crib

This ESL lesson plan introduces A2 learners to home-related vocabulary in a group format, focusing on speaking and listening skills. Students will explore common furniture and rooms, sort vocabulary into categories, and watch a video tour of a house to answer comprehension questions. The lesson concludes with interactive activities where students describe and guess rooms, enhancing their communication skills in a fun and engaging way.

Free
A1-A2
An Easter Basket Full of Joy

This fun and engaging 30-minute Easter-themed ESL lesson is designed for young learners and focuses on developing reading, speaking, and vocabulary skills. Children read a simple, colorful dialogue between two characters, Alice and Tom, as they explore what’s inside an Easter basket. The lesson includes matching vocabulary to definitions, sentence half-matching, and open-ended speaking questions to encourage conversation. Perfect for beginner-level kids!

C1
Pet Peeves

This ESL lesson plan invites adults and teens to explore pet peeves in a 60-minute group setting, promoting advanced speaking skills at a C1 level. Students will share their experiences with pet peeves, learn expressions for conveying annoyance, and match common pet peeves with reasons they might be bothersome. The lesson includes vocabulary building, guided discussion, and a presentation activity where students describe their top pet peeve using expressive language.

A2
Applying for a Summer Job

This ESL lesson plan helps teens develop writing skills for job applications in an individual setting. Through a 45-minute session, students read and discuss common summer job opportunities, including babysitting, restaurant work, and camp counseling. Students then practice writing a sample application email, focusing on self-introduction and highlighting relevant skills.

C1
Emerald Isle Celebrations

This lesson plan immerses C1-level ESL learners in the history and traditions of Saint Patrick's Day. Through discussions, vocabulary matching, video quizzes, gap-fill activities, and role-play dialogues, students develop advanced listening, speaking, and summarizing skills. The lesson plan emphasizes collaborative learning and cultural exploration, making it an engaging and informative topic for group lessons.

A1-A2
Halloween Around the World

This ESL lesson plan introduces A1-A2 teens and adults to Halloween traditions from around the world through engaging reading and writing exercises in a 60-minute individual session. Students will complete fill-in-the-blank activities, explore Halloween customs across countries, and discuss cultural differences in how people celebrate this holiday. Through vocabulary practice and comprehension questions, learners enhance their ability to describe global Halloween traditions and share their personal celebrations.

B1-B2
Giving Warnings Using Imperatives

This ESL lesson plan focuses on teaching imperatives to B1-B2 learners in a group setting. Students will explore expressions like "watch out" and "be careful" through interactive activities, dialogues, and real-life scenarios. The lesson includes exercises where learners practice giving warnings, answer discussion questions, and role-play different situations to improve their ability to report potential dangers in English. Ideal for improving communication in daily life while building confidence in expressing concern and caution though imperatives.