OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This salary & wages ESL lesson plan offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for intermediate B1-B2 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss salaries and pay transparency through interactive warm-up and discussion activities.
• Expand their vocabulary related to salaries, professions, and workplace conditions.
• Watch a video about pay transparency and complete comprehension and listening tasks.
• Reflect on salary transparency and workplace values through thoughtful follow-up discussions.
• Practice expressing opinions and preferences about workplace conditions in creative speaking activities.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

Students begin this ESL lesson plan on salaries and wages by matching salaries to specific professions, including bankers, lawyers, and academic advisors, to build familiarity with salary-related vocabulary. They then discuss thought-provoking questions, such as which jobs are generally well-paid or underpaid and the factors that influence salary differences. Students share their opinions on topics like whether they feel fairly compensated and the importance of salary transparency. They conclude this section with a lively debate about whether they would reveal their salary to a stranger if asked, providing a dynamic introduction to the lesson’s theme.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

Students watch an engaging video featuring Hannah Williams, the creator of "Salary Transparent Street," who interviews people about their salaries to promote pay transparency. In the first task, students complete a table with missing information about the salaries of various professions mentioned in the video. They then answer comprehension questions about Hannah’s motivation, her platform’s popularity, and notable figures she has interviewed. Next, students listen carefully to complete sentences with key phrases from the video, reinforcing vocabulary and comprehension skills.

DISCUSSION & PHRASES (OPINION, CERTAINTY, PREFERENCE)

Students reflect on the video by discussing questions about Hannah’s initiative and its effectiveness in promoting pay transparency. They optionally share their own salary experiences if comfortable. Next, they analyze interview excerpts and categorize bolded phrases based on their functions, such as expressing an opinion, certainty, or preference. Finally, they apply this analysis by answering selected interview questions themselves, incorporating new vocabulary and phrases into their responses.

WORKPLACE CONDITIONS: SHARE YOUR PERSPECTIVES

Students engage in dynamic speaking activities to deepen their understanding of workplace conditions and salary-related issues. In Option A, they discuss statements like “Companies should disclose all salaries” and “Flexible working hours are more important than a high salary,” using structured expressions to support their viewpoints. In Option B, students choose "Would you rather...?" scenarios, such as deciding between a well-paid job they dislike or an underpaid job they’re passionate about, while using key phrases learned throughout the lesson. These activities encourage critical thinking and fluency in expressing preferences and opinions.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS SALARY & WAGES ESL LESSON PLAN

This salary & wages ESL lesson plan provides teachers with a comprehensive and engaging way to help students improve their language skills. Students expand their vocabulary, enhance their listening comprehension, and build confidence expressing opinions about relevant and practical workplace topics. The dynamic activities cater to different learning styles and keep students motivated. With thought-provoking discussions, this lesson encourages students to reflect on societal and personal perspectives about salary transparency. Teachers will appreciate the ready-to-use materials and structured progression, which save time and ensure a well-rounded learning experience.