OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

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

• Discuss personal experiences and ideas related to flow and peak performance using targeted vocabulary.
• Expand their understanding of vocabulary connected to mental focus, motivation, and emotional strength.
• Watch a video where Steven Kotler explains the science of flow and its role in motivation, healing trauma, and therapy.
• Practice using collocations and advanced phrases related to human performance in discussion and writing tasks.
• Participate in a creative speaking activity where they present mini-masterclasses or podcasts about pushing their own boundaries.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

Students begin this ESL lesson on human performance by reflecting on activities or skills they enjoy or excel at, considering if these involve creativity, challenge, total focus, reward, or losing track of time. They then discuss what it means to be "in the zone" or to "find your flow," sharing personal strategies or habits that help them achieve this state. Next, students express agreement or disagreement with statements about peak performance, inner critics, and pressure, fostering deeper reflection on their own mental states. Finally, they imagine what an expert on human performance might say about flow, peak performance, and time perception, sharing and explaining their ideas. 

VIEWING ACTIVITY

The video explores how flow, described as an intense state of focus and peak human performance, can transform the mind and aid healing trauma, with insights from Steven Kotler on motivation, memory, and the therapeutic potential of extreme experiences like surfing and skydiving. Students watch sections of the video and complete multiple comprehension activities: defining peak performance and flow, selecting correct vocabulary words heard in the video, and answering short questions about therapy experiments, applications of flow, future predictions, and strategies for healing painful memories. 

DISCUSSION & COLLOCATIONS / PHRASES

After watching, students discuss their opinions on Kotler’s ideas, recall personal memories of being in a flow state, and debate the pros and cons of prescribing experiences like extreme sports instead of medication for therapy. Then, students complete a collocation exercise by matching nouns with phrases related to mental and emotional states, such as “mental stamina” and “settle your nerves.” Finally, they apply this vocabulary to real-life scenarios by choosing various activities and discussing the mental, emotional, or physical effects involved. 

PUSHING BOUNDARIES: EXPLORING GRIT, FLOW, AND MENTAL STRENGTH

Students select an activity, skill, hobby, or job—real or imagined—and prepare a short mini-masterclass or podcast episode about it. They describe how to get started, share practical tips for peak performance, and explain the mental or emotional impact. They must use 2-3 key phrases from the lesson’s vocabulary, such as “trigger a state of flow” or “push you to new heights.” After preparing, students present their episodes to a partner or teacher, answering follow-up questions to deepen the discussion. Alternatively, students discuss provided statements about human performance and flow, indicating whether they agree, disagree, or partially agree, and justify their opinions. This activation develops speaking fluency, advanced vocabulary use, and interactive communication skills.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS HUMAN PERFORMANCE ESL LESSON PLAN

This human performance ESL lesson plan helps teachers engage advanced students with relevant and motivating content about mental focus and peak performance. It encourages meaningful discussion and personal reflection, which boosts speaking confidence. The vocabulary practice develops students’ ability to use complex collocations naturally. The structured video activities improve listening comprehension with authentic scientific content. Finally, the creative activation motivates students to produce extended spoken language and apply new expressions in realistic contexts.