Subscriptions ESL Lesson Plan

OBJECTIVE & OVERVIEW

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

• Discuss various topics related to subscription services
• Learn vocabulary terms and phrases related to subscriptions
• Watch a video report about how to manage subscription services effectively
• Learn the difference in usage between “if” and “unless”
• Write emails from the perspective of a customer describing a subscription issue

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

In the first part of this ESL lesson plan on subscriptions, students start by reviewing a list made by a woman named Lauren. Her list shows services she’s subscribed to and their monthly costs. Students discuss what kind of list it is, whether the charges are one-time or recurring, and calculate the total monthly expense. This will lead to a discussion about how Lauren might feel after seeing the total.

Next, students will talk about their own subscriptions, estimate their monthly spending, and consider the pros and cons of subscription services for both companies and customers.

Finally, they will complete sentences about subscription issues using terms like "cancellation," "renewals," "memberships," and "trials," and discuss solutions to these problems.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

Then, students watch a video report about subscription services and how to effectively manage them. They will write down specific numbers mentioned in the video, such as the estimated and actual average monthly spending on subscriptions, the annual cost of Ms. Mosely’s membership, and the percentage increase in streaming service cancellations.

Students will also identify the problems Ms. Mosely experienced with her subscriptions and select the correct answers from multiple-choice options. Finally, they will discuss or write brief answers about the new FTC rules proposed, how Dustin managed his subscriptions, and the tips offered by the news correspondent, Vicky.

DISCUSSION & GRAMMAR

After watching the video about subscriptions, students will discuss a few topics while reflecting on the video.

Then, students will read an email about a subscription issue and practice choosing between "if" and "unless" in various sentences related to subscription services. They will apply these choices to scenarios like refund conditions and subscription management.

In the last part, students will complete sentences about subscriptions using "if" and "unless" based on context. They will address practical scenarios, such as refund requests and subscription changes, reinforcing their understanding of these conditional terms.

SUBSCRIPTION TROUBLES? WRITE EMAILS & RESOLVE!

In this communicative activation, students will imagine a problem with a subscription service they use or have used. They will write an email to the service provider describing the issue in detail, ensuring to use "if" and "unless" at least once. After drafting their emails, students will share them with a classmate or teacher. They will then write a response to their partner’s email or discuss how the company might resolve the issue and reflect on whether they have faced similar issues and how they were handled.

In another option, students can discuss statements about subscription services, deciding whether they agree or disagree with each idea. The statements cover topics like automatic renewals, the use of free trials, refund policies, and password sharing. Students will explain their reasoning for each choice and engage in discussions about best practices and company policies.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS SUBSCRIPTIONS ESL LESSON PLAN:

Learn Subscription Vocabulary:

Students gain essential terms related to subscriptions to help build their communication skills.

Understand Conditional Language:

The lesson clarifies the use of “if” and “unless” for accurate conditional sentences.

Practice Email Writing:

Students write formal emails to address subscription issues and request resolutions.

Engage in Critical Discussion:

Discussions on subscription costs and policies help students evaluate financial and service-related topics.

Improve Listening Skills:

Watching a video report helps students focus on key details and understand subscription management practices.