ESL Lesson Plans

Explore lesson plans for English teachers packed with creative ESL activities and practical English lesson ideas to save time and make your teaching more impactful

60 min
Attitudes Towards Work in Different Cultures
B2
Attitudes Towards Work in Different Cultures

This ESL lesson plan focuses on listening and speaking skills in a group setting, helping students explore attitudes towards work in different cultures. Through engaging warm-up exercises, a listening activity with a comprehension check, and vocabulary practice, students will develop essential communication skills. The lesson concludes with a group speaking exercise that encourages discussion about global work practices, making it ideal for upper-intermediate learners looking to enhance their language and cultural awareness.

Prison or Hotel?
B1
Prison or Hotel?

This ESL lesson plan explores the contrasting living conditions in prisons, targeting A2-level adults in a group setting. Students will engage in listening and speaking exercises while discussing prison systems, focusing on rehabilitation and comfort. The lesson includes interactive activities such as filling in dialogues, watching videos, and group discussions, encouraging learners to present their opinions and improve their communication skills in a supportive environment.

International Day of Friendship
A1
International Day of Friendship

This ESL lesson plan focuses on the International Day of Friendship for kids and teens at the A1 level. In this 60-minute group lesson, students will practice reading, vocabulary, and speaking skills through engaging activities like sentence unscrambling, text analysis, and discussions on the value of friendship. The lesson encourages learners to reflect on meaningful relationships while building confidence in expressing ideas in simple, conversational English.

Therapy: Pros and Cons
C1
Therapy: Pros and Cons

This ESL lesson plan is designed for adult learners at the C1 level, focusing on building the ability to create clear arguments while considering the other person's viewpoint and highlighting important points with examples. In this 90-minute group lesson, students will explore the pros and cons of therapy through a structured series of exercises.

Talking About Dreams and Aspirations
A2
Talking About Dreams and Aspirations

This ESL lesson plan is designed for adult learners at the A2 level, focusing on developing speaking and reading skills. In this 60-minute group lesson, students will discuss their dreams and aspirations through structured exercises.

Exploring Ecosystems
B1-B2
Exploring Ecosystems

This ESL lesson plan delves into ecosystems and biodiversity, ideal for B1-B2 level teens in a 60-minute group setting. Through listening activities, discussions, and vocabulary matching, students explore how plants, animals, and non-living elements interact within various ecosystems. By watching videos and engaging in fill-in-the-blank exercises, learners will gain insights into the importance of biodiversity and develop their speaking and comprehension skills while discussing the essential role of ecosystems in maintaining environmental balance.

Personality Disorders and Mental Health
C1
Personality Disorders and Mental Health

This ESL lesson plan for advanced learners focuses on understanding personality disorders through reading and speaking exercises. The lesson includes myth-busting activities, detailed article analysis of some common personality disorders, vocabulary matching, and group discussions. Designed to improve comprehension and critical thinking, students will explore complex mental health topics and engage in meaningful conversations. Perfect for C1-level group classes.

Once Upon a Time...
B2
Once Upon a Time...

In this B2-level ESL lesson plan, teens will dive into the elements of short stories by creating their own narratives. The 60-minute session features engaging group discussions, exercises focused on storytelling vocabulary, and writing skill-building tasks. Students will start by reflecting on their favorite fairy tales, participate in pair discussions, and analyze a short story to identify essential storytelling phrases. By the end of the lesson, they will craft their own short stories, beginning with "Once upon a time," to creatively express their experiences, feelings, and reactions.

The History and Impact of Hunting
B2
The History and Impact of Hunting

In this ESL lesson, students will practice reading and speaking about the history and impact of hunting. Students will start by brainstorming ideas about "hunting" and "conservation." They will read an article, decide if statements about it are true or false, and share their opinions in discussions. This lesson helps students think critically and improve communication while learning about hunting's effects on nature and society.

Commercial Spaceflights
B2
Commercial Spaceflights

This engaging ESL lesson plan on commercial spaceflight targets adults and teens in a group setting, enhancing their listening and speaking skills. Students will work together to discuss their thoughts on space tourism, analyze quotes from industry leaders, and answer questions based on an informative video. The lesson structure includes group discussions, video comprehension activities, and opinion-sharing, allowing participants to articulate their viewpoints and arguments effectively while exploring the implications of commercial spaceflight.

Role-Play: Travel Agent
A2-B1
Role-Play: Travel Agent

This ESL lesson plan focuses on a travel agent role-play activity designed for A2-B1 learners in a group setting. Students will practice speaking and vocabulary related to travel by working through dialogues, vocabulary matching exercises, and real-life scenarios. The lesson includes a role-play where students take on the roles of travel agents and customers, discussing travel options, prices, and services.

Plastic Surgery Debate
B2
Plastic Surgery Debate

This ESL lesson plan engages adults in a discussion about plastic surgery in a 60-minute group session for B2 learners. Through reading exercises, vocabulary matching, and a mini-debate, students explore the pros and cons of plastic surgery, weighing its societal implications and examining diverse perspectives. The lesson promotes critical thinking as students practice expressing their viewpoints, supporting their arguments, and engaging in constructive debate.

New Year Celebrations Around the World
B1-B2
New Year Celebrations Around the World

This engaging ESL lesson plan focuses on New Year celebrations around the world, targeting reading and speaking skills for B1-B2 level students. In a group setting, learners will scan texts to locate information and participate in discussions about their favorite traditions. The lesson includes various tasks, such as ranking customs, discussing personal experiences, and answering comprehension questions, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of global New Year practices.

Color Idioms
B1-B2
Color Idioms

This engaging idioms lesson plan is designed for ESL teens at the B1 level. This 60-minute group lesson focuses on developing speaking and reading skills through colour-related idioms. Students will discuss meanings, create examples, match sentence halves, complete a conversation with idioms, and engage in discussions.

White-Collar Crime
B2
White-Collar Crime

This ESL lesson plan focuses on white-collar crime, developing vocabulary and reading comprehension skills through group discussions and activities. Learners will explore key terms, read an article on financial crimes, and engage in speaking exercises to discuss crime and punishment. The 60-minute lesson helps students improve their understanding of financial crimes while enhancing vocabulary and speaking skills in a collaborative environment.