OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

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

• Discuss their health habits and what they know about the immune system.
• Expand vocabulary related to nutrition, immunity, and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Listen to and analyze a podcast on supporting the immune system over time.
• Practice using conversational phrases to propose, agree, and suggest meal ideas.
• Collaborate in an activity to plan healthy meals for the week using target language.

WARM-UP ACTIVITY

Students begin the lesson by imagining a scenario where a character is shopping for items to support her immune system. They discuss which foods or drinks would be helpful and which should be avoided, and suggest other items that could boost health. Examples include blueberries, chicken, coconut water, coffee, orange juice, and yogurt.

Next, students classify nutrients and ingredients as good or bad for the immune system. They consider proteins, antioxidants, probiotics, processed foods, added sugars, and electrolytes, and link these nutrients to the foods in the shopping activity.

Students then compare the immune system to real-world analogies such as an army, a garden, or a muscle. They explain their choices and discuss which comparison best represents how the immune system works.

Finally, students reflect on their own health. They share how they have been feeling lately, whether they have been sick, and consider habits that support or weaken immunity. This discussion prepares them for the listening and follow-up activities.

LISTENING ACTIVITY

Students listen to a podcast episode by a health coach, who explains how to support the immune system during cold and flu season. The podcast covers the role of the immune system, common misconceptions about “immune boosters,” and practical strategies for maintaining immunity through nutrition, hydration, exercise, sleep, and stress management.

During listening, students match sentences from the podcast to the correct endings, such as identifying what Sophie says about the immune system, examples of immune-boosting products, and metaphors for how immunity works. They also note specific foods and drinks that support immunity, including antioxidants, probiotics, protein sources, vitamins C and D, and hydration options like water and coconut water.

Students then evaluate lifestyle choices discussed in the podcast. They decide which activities are helpful or harmful for the immune system, such as drinking caffeine late, consuming orange juice with added sugar, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, exercising while sick, or engaging in stress-relieving activities.

LISTENING FOLLOW-UP

Students reflect on the podcast by discussing what they learned and identifying which ideas were most interesting or useful. They consider their own health habits and areas where they could improve.

Next, students complete a dialogue between two flatmates planning healthy meals for the week. They use conversational phrases such as “I’d lean,” “I wouldn’t mind,” and “I’m not so sure” while suggesting and negotiating meal options. The dialogue focuses on incorporating protein, antioxidants, probiotics, and vitamins C and D into breakfast and lunch plans.

Finally, students discuss the dialogue. They evaluate the meal plans, share whether they would eat the same meals, and consider which flatmate is more selective about food choices and why.

TEAM UP FOR A STRONGER IMMUNE SYSTEM: PLAN YOUR MEALS!

Students work in pairs or with the teacher to imagine they are flatmates during cold and flu season. They plan breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for the week, making sure meals include foods that support the immune system. Students negotiate and agree on meals using phrases like “I’d be up for…,” “I’d rather…,” and “I’m totally fine with…”

Alternatively, students can discuss talking points about healthy eating habits, nutritious meals they enjoy, supplements they take, and how balanced they feel their diet is. They compare preferences with a partner and reflect on how their diets have changed over time. This encourages personal engagement, discussion, and use of target language in context.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS IMMUNE SYSTEM ESL LESSON

This lesson helps teachers engage students in meaningful discussion about health and nutrition. It introduces practical vocabulary and phrases for everyday conversation, reinforces listening skills with a real-world podcast, promotes collaborative problem-solving through meal-planning, encourages critical thinking about lifestyle choices, and provides a ready-to-use, structured lesson for B1-B2 learners.