OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This ESL lesson on parental leave & pet leave offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for advanced C1 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss workplace leave policies and express personal opinions about pet and parental leave.
• Watch a lively debate video and analyze contrasting arguments about pet leave versus parental leave.
• Identify and classify linking words based on their functions in formal written communication.
• Apply linking words & connectors effectively when drafting responses to hypothetical leave requests.
• Strengthen argumentation skills through structured discussions and written exercises.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

Students begin this ESL lesson plan on parental leave & pet leave by imagining themselves as Simba, a boss receiving a request from an employee, Aubrey, asking for pet parental leave. They explain how they would respond and justify their reasoning. Next, students select a situation that applies to their personal experience—whether as a pet owner, parent, both, or neither—and discuss related questions about taking time off for caregiving responsibilities. They then engage in a thought-provoking discussion where they agree, disagree, or partially agree with statements comparing the value and care demands of pets versus children. Finally, students discuss how pet leave might affect workplace dynamics, considering potential burdens on colleagues and employers.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

Students watch a spirited debate where Kady McDermott argues that pets are like family and deserve emergency leave, while entrepreneur Simba insists parental leave should be reserved for children, emphasizing the difference in caregiving needs between pets and toddlers. After viewing, students summarize the key arguments presented by both Kady and Simba, filling in a comparison table. They then determine whether specific statements about the debate are true or false, correcting the false ones to ensure comprehension. Students also complete a gap-fill exercise using a missing excerpt from Simba's response to Kady.

DISCUSSION & LINKING WORDS / CONNECTORS

Students reflect on whether their opinions about pet parental leave have shifted after watching the debate, discussing which speaker's perspective they align with more closely. They also explore other potential situations that might warrant workplace leave beyond illness or parental responsibilities. In the next activity, students read an email from Simba rejecting Aubrey's pet leave request. They identify and classify the linking words and connectors in bold, categorizing them based on functions such as logical conclusions, contrast, reasons, and adding information. The linking words featured in this lesson plan include: hence, therefore, thus, moreover, besides, seeing as, furthermore, regardless of, as well as others.

THE BOSS'S DILEMMA: WHICH LEAVE REQUESTS SHOULD BE APPROVED?

In "The Boss's Dilemma" activity, students take on the role of company managers faced with four hypothetical employee leave requests. They must approve two requests and deny two, providing clear justifications using appropriate linking words like "Hence," "Nonetheless," "Moreover," and "Therefore." This task encourages students to apply the linking words and connnectors they've learned, practice persuasive writing, and develop critical thinking skills in decision-making scenarios.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS LINKING WORDS ESL LESSON PLAN

This parental leave & pet leave ESL lesson plan helps teachers engage advanced C1 students with thought-provoking topics and real-world applications. Students build their argumentation and critical thinking skills through debates and structured discussions. They improve their ability to identify, classify, and apply linking words effectively in both spoken and written contexts. The lesson also promotes active participation by encouraging students to express personal opinions and justify decisions. Teachers benefit from a comprehensive, ready-to-use plan that fosters language fluency, persuasive communication, and logical coherence in students' responses.