Bucket List ESL Lesson Plan

OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This ESL lesson plan on bucket lists offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for intermediate B1-B2 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss the concept and importance of bucket lists and their personal goals.
• Learn and practice compound adjectives related to life goals and achievements.
• Watch a video about creating a bucket list using six clear and actionable steps.
• Complete comprehension activities, focusing on key vocabulary and listening skills.
• Brainstorm and share their own bucket lists, using hypothetical sentence starters.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

Students begin this bucket list ESL lesson plan by looking at an image of Karen holding a list and answering questions to identify what she is holding and its connection to a bucket. They discuss what the term "bucket list" might mean and why it is called that. Students reflect on whether having a bucket list is important and share ideas about common goals people include on such lists. They also share any personal experiences with creating or completing bucket list items. Next, students complete an introduction to a guide on bucket lists by filling in blanks with compound adjectives (e.g., short-term, regret-free) and evaluate the effectiveness of the introduction. The section wraps up with a discussion about potential challenges people face when achieving life goals.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

Students watch a video that introduces six practical steps for creating a bucket list, from brainstorming big dreams to taking actionable steps to achieve them. In the first part, students answer comprehension questions about steps 1 to 3, such as the meaning of "dreamstorming" and how the list can be divided by time. In the next activity, students briefly describe steps 4 to 6 of the process. Finally, students complete sentences using verbs and phrasal verbs heard in the video, such as "put down," "figure out," and "keep adding." These activities help students focus on listening comprehension, understanding key concepts, and expanding their vocabulary.

DISCUSSION & HYPOTHETICAL SENTENCE STARTERS

Students reflect on the video by discussing the effectiveness of Vanessa's steps for creating a bucket list and sharing their thoughts on which tips they would find most helpful for achieving their goals. They explore the benefits and downsides of maintaining a "never-ending" bucket list. In the next part, students complete sentences from Ashad's bucket list using the correct verb forms provided. They analyze Ashad's use of modal verbs (e.g., would, could, will) and contractions, discussing their function in expressing hypothetical and aspirational goals. Students also identify specific examples of these contractions in Ashad's sentences.

BUCKET LIST BRAINSTORM: TURNING DREAMS INTO REALITY

Students put their ideas into practice by brainstorming and creating their own bucket lists. Working individually or with a partner, they write five bucket list items using hypothetical sentence starters such as "I'd feel fulfilled if I could..." or "It'd be a dream come true to..." Once they have a list, they select their top three items by considering what excites them most and whether there are any time limits involved. Finally, students share their top three bucket list items with a classmate or the teacher and ask follow-up questions about each other’s goals, such as who would join them, when they would like to achieve it, and where it would take place.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS BUCKET LIST ESL LESSON PLAN

This bucket list ESL lesson plan helps teachers engage students with meaningful and relatable content while building key language skills. It encourages personal reflection and creativity, which increases student participation. The lesson develops listening comprehension and vocabulary, especially phrasal verbs and modal verbs. Students practice using hypothetical language structures, improving their fluency and grammar. Finally, the collaborative and interactive activities help students build confidence in sharing their ideas and communicating effectively in English.