Fake News

Fake News

This fake news lesson plan helps ESL learners at B2 levels develop essential skills in identifying factual information and persuasive writing in news stories. The 60-minute lesson includes a warm-up activity exploring fake news statistics, followed by reading and discussion of fake news articles. Vocabulary exercises target common news reporting phrases, while the writing task encourages students to create their own fake news stories. Skills focus on reading, writing, and critical thinking, providing learners with a structured approach to analyzing and producing news reports.

Skills

  • Can recognize when a text provides factual information and when it seeks to convince readers of something.
  • Can produce very brief reports in a standard conventionalized format, which pass on routine factual information and state reasons for actions.
Online Interactive
Based on CEFR
Fully Customizable
1

Warm-up: Fake news in numbers

Read the facts and try to guess what's missing. Did any of the facts surprise you?
six
36%
87%
70%
62%
1
Fake news can spread
times faster than real news on social media.
2
In 2016,
of Americans got news from social media platforms.
3
A study showed that only
can spot fake news accurately.
4
False news articles are shared
more than true ones.
5
Over
of people share news without checking its accuracy.
2

Would you believe it? Read two fake news stories below, and discuss the questions.

3

Vocabulary for news reporting

4

Let's make some fake news!

Other lessons in this category

Protesting
B2
Protesting

This ESL lesson plan explores the topic of protesting in an individual setting, targeting B2-level adults. Students will learn key vocabulary and practice speaking skills by discussing peaceful protests versus riots, sharing opinions on activism, and reflecting on historical events. The lesson focuses on improving the ability to explain viewpoints, engage in debates, and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of social protest, making it both educational and thought-provoking.

I Hate Valentine's Day
C1
I Hate Valentine's Day

This ESL lesson plan focuses on reading comprehension and critical thinking for advanced learners in a 45-minute individual session. Students will explore nuanced perspectives on Valentine’s Day through text analysis, vocabulary-building exercises, and discussion prompts. Activities are designed to enhance understanding of complex language while fostering engaging discussions on societal norms and traditions.

The Day Everything Went Wrong
A2
The Day Everything Went Wrong

This ESL lesson plan focuses on teaching the past simple tense through the relatable topic of a bad day. Designed for adults and teens, this one-hour session includes warm-up discussions, a gap-fill reading activity, and engaging group tasks to practice grammar and storytelling skills. Students will match phrases, write short stories, and share experiences, building confidence in using the past simple to describe past events.

Customer Service: Responding to Feedback
B2
Customer Service: Responding to Feedback

This customer service lesson plan introduces students to essential English for customer service skills, focusing on handling both positive and negative customer feedback effectively. Through targeted writing exercises, learners will develop techniques to respond to various types of feedback professionally. Ideal for ESL learners at the upper intermediate level, this lesson equips students with vocabulary and structured phrases to address customer concerns.

I Can Tell That We Are Gonna Be Friends
B1
I Can Tell That We Are Gonna Be Friends

This ESL lesson plan focuses on listening and speaking skills for B1-level teens and adults. Using the song "We’re Going to Be Friends" by The White Stripes, students will discuss school memories, analyze lyrics, and complete listening comprehension tasks. The 45-minute lesson helps learners engage with straightforward language in song lyrics while practicing key vocabulary and sharing personal experiences about friendship and school life.

Black Friday Frenzy
B1-B2
Black Friday Frenzy

This lesson plan about Black Friday introduces intermediate-level learners to key shopping-related terms through ESL activities. Students will develop listening and speaking skills with a warm-up game, a listening task on the history of Black Friday, and a shopping activity where they compare sale items. Engaging in discussions about impulse buying and finding bargains enhances their fluency and understanding of everyday shopping vocabulary.

Dad Jokes: The Art of Bad Jokes
B2-C1
Dad Jokes: The Art of Bad Jokes

This ESL lesson plan is designed for group learning and helps teens and adults at the B2-C1 level improve their listening, reading and speaking skills through the fun topic of dad jokes. The 60-minute session includes reading tasks, joke analysis, and video activities. The lesson follows a clear structure with warm-up video discussion, comprehension tasks, and interactive exercises to build confidence and fluency. Perfect for learners who enjoy humor and want to boost their English in a relaxed, engaging setting.

How Crunchy Are You?
B1-B2
How Crunchy Are You?

This engaging ESL lesson plan introduces the concept of the crunchy lifestyle to B1–B2 learners in a group setting. Through interactive tasks like a lifestyle quiz, vocabulary matching, listening comprehension, and makeover planning, students will explore sustainability, natural living, and health-conscious habits. The lesson targets speaking, listening, and vocabulary skills while encouraging learners to reflect on eco-friendly behaviors. Students work collaboratively to compare lifestyles and create realistic makeover plans based on holistic values and environmental awareness.