Winter Down South
ESL Lesson PlansWinter Down South

Winter Down South

This 60-minute ESL lesson is perfect for A2–B1 level teens and adults who want to learn about winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Through engaging reading, vocabulary tasks, matching exercises, discussion prompts, and video-based questions, students explore how winter feels in places like Australia, New Zealand, and South America. Learners will build vocabulary around winter weather and clothing, practice reading comprehension, and share their own seasonal experiences. Great for building fluency, cultural awareness, and conversation confidence.

Skills

  • Can extract important information from short broadcasts (e.g. the weather forecast, concert announcements, sports results), provided people talk clearly.
  • Can understand texts describing people, places, everyday life and culture, etc., provided they use simple language.
  • Can describe simple aspects of their everyday life in a series of simple sentences.
Online Interactive
Based on CEFR
Fully Customizable
1

Station 1: Read the text.

01:31
In the Southern Hemisphere, winter begins in June and ends in August. While it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, places like Australia, New Zealand, and parts of South America are chilly. People there wear coats, hats, and gloves to stay warm. In Australia, winter can be cold in the southern parts. Cities like Melbourne and Canberra have temperatures around 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it doesn't snow in most parts of Australia, except in the mountains. In these mountains, people can ski and snowboard. It is a popular activity during the winter months. Some people also enjoy hiking, as the weather is cool but not too cold. In New Zealand, winter is a special time. The country is known for its beautiful landscapes, and in winter, the mountains are covered with snow. People love to visit the famous ski resorts like Queenstown. Many tourists come to enjoy the snow and beautiful views. Also, it's a great time for hot chocolate. South America is different. In countries like Argentina and Chile, the Andes Mountains have lots of snow. These mountains are perfect for skiing. However, in other parts of these countries, winter can be mild. Cities like Buenos Aires might be cool and cloudy, but not too cold. People might wear a warm sweater or a jacket. In the Southern Hemisphere, winter is not only cold but also fun. People enjoy the snow, winter sports, and spending time by the fire. While winter brings cold weather, it also brings happiness and enjoyment. Whether it's a walk in the cool air or a day spent skiing, winter has something special for everyone.
2

Station 1: Pick the right answer.

3

Station 1: Let's match these halves!

4

Station 2: Look at the list of words. Are you familiar with all of them? Can you fill in the gaps in these sentences using the words from the list?

5

Station 2: Now create your own sentences with the following words:

6

Station 3: Discuss these questions in pairs.

7

Station 3: Read these opinions. Which one do you agree with the most and why? Share your thoughts with your groupmates.

8

Station 4: Watch this short video and answer the questions.

9

Station 4: Watch this short video and answer the questions.

10

Station 4: Watch this short video and answer the questions.

Other lessons in this category