OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

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

• Discuss different types of decisions, share their experiences, and practice speaking about choices in everyday and significant situations.
• Expand their vocabulary with terms and phrases related to decision-making, uncertainty, and personal preferences.
• Watch a video featuring Dr. Radha Modgil sharing tips for making better decisions, and complete comprehension exercises.
• Practice using language to express doubt, preference, and advice in realistic contexts during follow-up activities.
• Engage in communicative and reflective tasks, including surveys, role plays, and discussions to strengthen their decision-making skills.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

Students begin this decision-making ESL lesson by examining examples of decisions people make, distinguishing between small and big decisions, and reflecting on choices they have made in the past year or their lifetime. They discuss whether they agree, disagree, or partially agree with statements about decision-making, such as whether big decisions require more energy or if life is simply one decision after another. Students then consider factors that influence decision-making, including the brain, food, fears, and friends, and brainstorm tips for making better decisions. Finally, they discuss what a brain’s “bandwidth” might mean and how it relates to their ability to make choices. This section sets the stage for students to think critically about decisions while practicing speaking fluently.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

Students watch a short video where Dr. Radha Modgil explains three practical tips for making decisions, highlighting how the brain works and how small habits can improve decision-making. During the video, students first decide whether each tip should be followed or avoided, such as focusing energy on minor decisions or seeking objective advice from a friend. They then answer short comprehension questions about examples in the video, including Barack Obama’s approach to decisions, the impact of hunger on choices, and findings from decision-making research. Finally, students complete a true/false/not given exercise to confirm their understanding of key ideas from the video, such as the energy required for big decisions and the ease of making good choices.

VIEWING FOLLOW-UP

Students reflect on the most interesting tips or ideas from the video and relate them to their personal experiences, particularly considering situations where fear of loss influenced their decisions. They then read a message from Roman describing his struggles with a job decision and analyze phrases expressing uncertainty, impact, and intuitive preference. Next, students imagine themselves as Roman’s friend, Takashi, and practice giving objective advice using structured phrases. This section helps students use natural language for expressing doubt, preference, and advice, while reinforcing comprehension and critical thinking skills.

TORN ABOUT WHAT TO DO? GAIN CLARITY IN YOUR DECISION

Students begin by identifying a challenging or important decision, either real or imagined, and write about it using a structured prompt. They then choose between two activities: In Option A, they discuss their decision in detail, exploring what makes it difficult, the emotional impact, their intuitive feelings, and what an objective friend might advise. In Option B, students role-play as the decision-maker or advisor, using target phrases for expressing uncertainty, preference, and giving structured guidance. Alternatively, students complete a decision-making survey to assess their skills, calculate scores, and reflect on areas for improvement, sharing examples from their own experiences. Both activation options encourage speaking fluently, using new vocabulary, and applying decision-making strategies in realistic contexts.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS ESL LESSON PLAN ON DECISION-MAKING

Teachers will find that this ESL lesson plan on decision-making encourages meaningful speaking practice, helping students communicate clearly about choices and preferences. It introduces practical and academic vocabulary naturally, making language memorable. The lesson integrates video comprehension, reflection, and discussion to support critical thinking. Students gain confidence using advanced phrases to express uncertainty and advice, improving real-life communication. Finally, the structured activation activities allow for flexibility, enabling teachers to tailor tasks to different classroom sizes and learning styles.