Privileges ESL Lesson Plan

OBJECTIVE & OVERVIEW

This ESL lesson plan on privileges offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials tailored for upper intermediate B2 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Explore different forms of privilege through thought-provoking questions and personal reflections
• Watch and analyze a video of the "privilege walk" exercise, gaining insights into societal inequalities
• Expand their vocabulary with terms related to privilege, disadvantage, and empathy
• Discuss how factors like nationality, family background, and education impact privilege
• Reflect on their own experiences of privilege and disadvantage, fostering greater self-awareness and empathy

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

Students begin this ESL lesson on privilege by reflecting on the concept of privilege. They define what privilege means, using provided vocabulary such as "advantages," "society," and "opportunities" to help shape their answers. This is followed by a discussion on the factors that influence privilege, including aspects like education, employment, and family background. Students also examine whether specific conditions, such as having access to clean water or living in a crime-ridden neighborhood, represent privileges or disadvantages. Finally, they predict what the "privilege walk" activity is and discuss its purpose before watching the video.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

The video features a group of participants engaging in the “privilege walk,” where they respond to statements by stepping forward or backward based on their own life circumstances. After watching, students complete a description of the privilege walk, reinforcing their understanding of the exercise. They then identify statements that participants reacted to by stepping forward or backward and discuss their own reactions. Next, students listen to the participants’ reflections on the activity and list three adjectives to describe their feelings. Finally, they explore what the exercise taught some of the participants, discussing the impact of privilege on their lives.

DISCUSSION & ADJECTIVES

Students engage in a discussion about the effectiveness of the "privilege walk" and whether it successfully highlights personal privileges. They share their opinions on whether privilege is something beyond individual control, as mentioned by one participant in the video. Following this, students complete a set of questions about privilege using provided adjectives and select a few to discuss with a classmate or teacher. These questions address topics like access to mental health support, gender equality, and the challenges faced by immigrants, encouraging deeper reflection on privilege in various contexts.

ACTIVATION

In this final section, students complete the “Wheel of Privilege” self-reflection exercise. They individually assess their positions on the Wheel of Privilege and Power, reflecting on areas where they experience advantages or disadvantages. Afterward, students discuss their insights and reflect on how different life events or conditions could alter someone’s position on the wheel. Alternatively, students can choose from a list of discussion topics related to privilege, including how a support network or learning English has been a privilege in their lives. This promotes personal engagement with the concept of privilege and encourages further discussion.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS PRIVILEGES ESL LESSON PLAN:

• Helps students develop empathy by reflecting on their own privileges and those of others
• Encourages critical thinking about societal inequalities and personal experiences
• Promotes discussion and vocabulary building around complex but important social concepts
• Provides structured opportunities for self-reflection and peer discussion on privilege
• Uses engaging, real-world video content to facilitate understanding of abstract concepts