OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This ESL lesson plan on boredom offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for advanced C1 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss what boredom means, its causes, and how it affects engagement in daily life.
• Learn and use vocabulary to describe feelings, reflection, and personal growth.
• Watch a video exploring how boredom can enhance creativity and self-reflection.
• Practice interpreting key ideas and adjectives from a reflective text about introspection.
• Engage in an autobiographical speaking activity to express thoughts, goals, and insights.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

In this opening stage of this ESL lesson, students explore how boredom varies depending on context. They begin by ranking a list of everyday activities—from fishing to exploring a new city—based on how dull or engaging they seem. Students then discuss their ratings and reflect on how different circumstances might change those perceptions.

Next, students share personal definitions of boredom and evaluate both its positive and negative effects. They discuss when and why their minds tend to wander and how often they deliberately choose to be alone with their thoughts. The conversation moves to how phones are used to relieve boredom and how dependent people are on them for mental stimulation.

Finally, students read about an experiment where participants were left alone in a room with nothing but a button that could shock them. They predict the study’s purpose and outcome and discuss whether they might press the button themselves. The preview concludes with a broader discussion on whether keeping one’s mind occupied is always better than letting thoughts drift freely.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

This part of the lesson features a thought-provoking video that asks: What if boredom isn’t as bad as we think? It reveals how moments of boredom can fuel creativity, self-reflection, and even altruism—and why doing nothing may be exactly what the mind needs.

Students begin by answering comprehension questions about the study results, definitions of boredom, and common ways people use their phones to avoid it.

Next, they complete missing words in key sentences to identify the benefits of boredom, such as sparking action, encouraging creativity, and helping with goal-setting through “autobiographical planning.”

Finally, students choose the idea that best summarizes the video’s overall message, reinforcing their understanding of how embracing boredom can lead to purposeful thought and action.

VIEWING FOLLOW-UP

Students first discuss which ideas from the video stood out to them most and evaluate how practical or helpful they find its overall message. They also reflect on how they might reduce their phone use and design a personal “boredom challenge” to include more mind-wandering time in their daily routines.

In the next part, students read a short text by Mykola, who spends a day in solitude without distractions. His reflective thoughts introduce adjectives like lethargic, altruistic, unsettled, mundane, and rejuvenating. Students define these words in context to deepen their emotional and descriptive vocabulary.

Finally, students analyze Mykola’s reflections further, identifying which of his thoughts are aspirational, invigorating, existential, persistent, or gratifying. They share personal interpretations, reactions, and advice that connect language learning with real-life introspection.

LET YOUR THOUGHTS DRIFT: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL INTROSPECTION

In this final phase, students engage in a creative and introspective speaking task. They imagine spending a full day alone without digital distractions and allow their thoughts to drift freely. Students note any meaningful ideas, questions, or reflections that come to mind, such as goals, struggles, achievements, or realizations.

Afterward, students share selected thoughts with a partner and discuss reactions, advice, and possible next steps. They also ask follow-up questions to deepen the conversation and connect their insights to authentic personal experiences.

As an alternative, students can discuss real-life topics related to the lesson’s key adjectives—such as overcoming lethargy, performing altruistic acts, and recalling invigorating or rejuvenating experiences. Both options encourage meaningful self-expression and advanced emotional vocabulary use.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS ESL LESSON ON BOREDOM

This ESL lesson on boredom helps teachers lead stimulating discussions on a topic every student can relate to. It encourages critical thinking, vocabulary expansion, and self-expression through structured and reflective tasks.

Teachers benefit from a complete lesson flow—from engaging warm-up to creative activation—that supports comprehension, communication, and higher-order thinking.

The activities promote authentic discussion, emotional awareness, and vocabulary retention, making this lesson an ideal choice for advanced learners who enjoy meaningful topics.