OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

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

• Discuss various personality traits and describe people they know using these traits.
• Explore the nine Enneagram personality types through a video and related activities.
• Match Enneagram types with corresponding descriptions and vocabulary.
• Analyze the significance of the Enneagram and its potential impact on self-awareness and relationships.
• Engage in a reflective activity to explore their own Enneagram type and discuss their insights with others.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

To begin the ESL personality traits lesson plan, students first engage in a brief discussion where they describe the personality of people they know well, such as friends, colleagues, or family members. Using a set of adjectives like "assertive," "adventurous," or "altruistic," they offer insight into their choices, explaining why these words match certain individuals. This preview helps students activate their prior knowledge about personality traits before exploring the Enneagram. Following this, students are introduced to the concept of the Enneagram personality test, reflecting on whether they have encountered it before or if they have ever considered mapping their own personality type.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

The video introduces the Enneagram, a personality system that maps individuals to one of nine types based on their motivations and behaviors. The video explains the nine Enneagram types, which include the Protector, Adventurer, Loyalist, Peacemaker, Idealist, Caregiver, Performer, Thinker, and Creative. Students begin by writing a brief summary about the Enneagram and its purpose. Afterward, they match each of the nine personality types with descriptions provided in the video, ensuring they grasp the core attributes of each type. Students also complete an exercise where they fill in missing words related to the personality types, reinforcing key vocabulary and understanding. This activity aids in cementing students' comprehension of the Enneagram system and how these types manifest in people's behavior.

DISCUSSION & ENNEAGRAM PERSONALITY TYPES

After watching the video, students discuss the usefulness and relevance of the Enneagram. They reflect on whether personality tests, such as the Enneagram, can truly assist in self-improvement or if they merely serve as another way to categorize people. Following the discussion, students try to guess the Enneagram type of various individuals based on descriptions provided. Using the characteristics from the Viewing Activity, students use clues to determine each person’s likely Enneagram type. This follow-up activity encourages critical thinking and application of the content from the video to real-life scenarios, prompting students to reflect on how personality tests can enhance self-understanding.

YOUR ENNEAGRAM UNVEILED: EXPLORE, GUESS & DISCOVER!

In the activation phase of this ESL personality traits lesson, students begin by independently selecting the Enneagram type they feel best matches their personality. They then explore the Enneagram Institute's website for more detailed descriptions, keeping their choice a secret from classmates. Afterward, they engage in a guessing game with a partner or teacher, where they try to deduce each other's Enneagram type based on clues and traits. Finally, students reflect on their choice and discuss it further with a classmate or teacher. They answer questions about the factors influencing their selection, compare traits from different Enneagram types, and consider which types they admire or aspire to emulate. This phase allows students to delve deeper into the Enneagram system and fosters meaningful conversation about personal development and personality traits.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS ESL PERSONALITY TRAITS LESSON PLAN

This ESL persoanlity traits lesson plan offers numerous benefits for teachers. It encourages students to expand their vocabulary by learning terms related to personality and behavior, enhancing their ability to describe people more accurately. The Enneagram framework introduces a fascinating method for exploring personality, helping students develop critical thinking skills as they analyze and guess each other's types. By engaging in self-reflection and discussing their own personality traits, students also gain valuable insights into their own behaviors and motivations. Moreover, this lesson fosters engaging discussions that promote fluency in both speaking and listening. Lastly, students’ ability to match Enneagram types with specific behaviors helps them build stronger comprehension skills in English.