Staycation ESL Lesson Plan

OBJECTIVE & OVERVIEW

This staycation ESL lesson plan provides activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for intermediate B1-B2 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss various factors to consider when planning a vacation or staycation.
• Learn and use vocabulary and phrasal verbs related to vacations and staycations.
• Watch a video and complete related comprehension activities.
• Plan and present their own staycation ideas.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

In the first part of this staycation ESL lesson, students begin by imagining that two characters, Jal and Nia, are planning a vacation. They discuss various factors that might influence their decision, such as the destination, budget, accommodation, attractions, and work schedules. Students then rank these factors according to their personal preferences, explaining their choices to their classmates.

The second part involves a discussion about "staycations." Students define the term, explore reasons why people might choose staycations, and share personal experiences of feeling like tourists in their own city. They discuss their familiarity with local attractions and activities. This part has students consider how well they know their own area.

In the third part, students examine specific vacation ideas from Jal and Nia. They identify which ideas belong to Jal, who prefers traveling, and which belong to Nia, who prefers a staycation. This activity helps students understand different perspectives and discuss the pros and cons of each option.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

In the viewing phase, students watch a video featuring Michelle Singletary, a personal finance columnist, discussing the benefits of staycations. Students answer questions about why someone might opt for a staycation, what activities they can do, and how to budget for one.

Next, students complete a table with various staycation activities mentioned in the video, categorizing them into cultural, social, outdoor, and home activities. This helps students organize the information and consider a variety of options for a staycation.

In the third part, students watch the beginning of the video again and fill in missing -ing verbs or nouns they hear the reporter use. This helps students train their listening comprehension and attention to detail.

VIEWING FOLLOW-UP

In this section, students discuss the usefulness of Michelle's staycation ideas. They consider which activities they could do in their own area. They share their experiences of staycations, or imagine how they might feel about taking one, and discuss the potential benefits.

Students then complete a staycation plan for Jal and Nia, using correct prepositions to describe their activities. This exercise helps reinforce their understanding of phrasal verbs and prepositions in context.

In the final part, students analyze the phrasal verbs used in the previous activity. They identify their parts of speech, whether they are used with objects, and if the object can be placed between the verb and preposition. This helps students develop their grammatical understanding and usage of phrasal verbs.

STAYCATION PLANNING: BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN CITY!

The "staycation planning" phase of the lesson offers two options for students to practice and personalize their learning.

In the first option, students plan their own staycation, either on their own or with a partner. They decide on a budget, dates, and a list of activities, using ideas from the lesson or their own suggestions. They then present their staycation plans to the class, incorporating specific phrasal verbs learned earlier.

The second option involves a discussion on various staycation-related topics. Students talk about experiences like feeling like a tourist in their own city, visiting friends or relatives, managing vacation budgets, discovering hidden gems, and enjoying low-cost activities. This encourages students to use descriptive language and share personal stories, enhancing their speaking skills.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS STAYCATION ESL LESSON PLAN

Engaging Content

The lesson is relevant and relatable, encouraging students to discuss practical, real-life topics about vacations and budgeting.

Vocabulary Building

Students learn and practice new words and phrases and phrasal verbs related to vacations and staycations.

Interactive Learning

Activities like discussions, matching exercises, and video comprehension keep students actively involved and motivated.

Listening Skills

Watching a video and completing related tasks help students improve their listening comprehension in a real-life context.

Personalized Topics

By planning and sharing their own staycations, students connect the lesson content to their personal experiences, making learning more engaging and memorable.