OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This ESL lesson plan on Mother’s Day offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for pre-intermediate A2 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss daily responsibilities and traditions related to parenting and Mother's Day.
• Learn and use vocabulary connected to gifts, celebrations, and housework.
• Watch a short, light-hearted video about a chaotic Mother's Day and answer questions.
• Practice using “would” and “could” for imaginary and possible actions with correct verb forms.
• Share and describe their own plans for special days using guided prompts and structured speaking tasks.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

Students begin this Mother's Day ESL lesson by reading a busy mom's to-do list before her night out and discuss the daily responsibilities she has. They answer comprehension and personal questions such as what other tasks busy parents do and how they themselves help at home. In the second part, students talk about whether Mother’s Day is celebrated in their country, what traditions or gifts are common, or if there’s a similar day in their culture. Next, they look at five gift ideas for Mother's Day and rank them from best to worst, adding their own ideas if they like. In the final part of this section, students share past experiences of celebrating Mother’s Day or imagine how they might celebrate it if they haven’t before. 

VIEWING ACTIVITY

The video shows a mom who gets a spa certificate for Mother's Day—but before she can enjoy it, she has to take care of many things at home like preparing dinner, reminding her son to do homework, and managing snacks and sunscreen. It’s fast-paced and relatable. Students first answer simple comprehension questions about what gift she receives and when she can use it. Then, they put the mom’s actions in order based on what they saw in the video. Finally, students correct four factual mistakes in sentences about the video, such as who coordinated the gift and what the mom did at the spa. 

DISCUSSION & GRAMMAR (WOULD/COULD)

After watching, students discuss their opinions about the video: Was it funny, realistic, or sweet? They share whether they think the mom had a good Mother's Day and if they’d enjoy a similar gift. In the second part, they read about a girl’s imaginary plan for her sister’s perfect day. Then, they complete a short grammar review focusing on “would” and “could” as modal verbs. Students learn that “would” is for imaginary ideas and “could” for possibilities. They also see that both are followed by the base form of the verb. 

A PERFECT DAY FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL

In the final section, students put everything together. First, they choose from three imaginary “perfect day” plans—for a dad, a friend, or a child—and describe what the day would include using “would” and “could.” Then, in Option A, students plan a special day for someone they care about, selecting from a range of options like giving a gift, going somewhere, or doing something helpful. They use sequencing language (first, then, after that, finally) to describe their plan and take turns presenting it with a partner or their teacher. In Option B, they pick a discussion prompt about a personal experience, such as giving a gift, planning a surprise, or describing their mom. 

BENEFITS OF USING THIS MOTHER’S DAY ESL LESSON PLAN

This Mother’s Day ESL lesson plan helps students connect language learning with real-life situations and cultural moments. It encourages them to share personal stories while building vocabulary related to daily tasks, family, and celebrations. The video adds humor and relevance, helping students understand spoken English in everyday situations. The grammar focus is accessible and directly linked to the speaking activities, so students can apply what they’ve learned right away. Teachers will appreciate the ready-to-use, structured flow of the lesson that mixes comprehension, grammar, and communication practice in a natural way.