OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This ESL lesson plan on homeschooling and learning  offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for intermediate B1–B2 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss different learning styles and experiences in structured and independent settings.
• Expand vocabulary related to education, homeschooling, and learning environments.
• Watch a video about the Kramer family's self-directed learning approach and answer questions.
• Practice using adverbs and expressions to explain opinions, agreements, and educational choices.
• Participate in team discussions and make decisions on realistic educational dilemmas.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

Students begin this ESL lesson by observing images of children engaged in both structured and independent learning activities, such as classroom math, science experiments, forest exploration, kayaking, library research, and board games. They describe what each group is learning and classify the activities as structured or independent. Next, students reflect on their own educational experiences, comparing school systems, favorite subjects, and learning outside the classroom. They then discuss homeschooling and predict what “unschooling” might mean, considering the potential challenges parents face when allowing children to direct their own learning. This section encourages students to share ideas, ask questions, and build relevant vocabulary related to education and learning styles.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

Students watch a short video about the Kramer family, who bypass traditional classrooms and let their children learn through curiosity, play, and real-world experiences. In the video, there are no lesson plans or tests—children guide their own learning. While watching, students complete exercises identifying whether certain aspects of learning, like testing, lesson plans, self-directed learning, and interest-based learning, are included. They also answer short questions about the types of activities the children do, how the parents balance work and learning, and critics’ concerns about self-directed education. Finally, students fill in missing words and phrases from the interview using context clues, reinforcing vocabulary and comprehension.

VIEWING FOLLOW-UP

Students discuss questions about self-directed learning and the unschooling movement, comparing it with traditional schooling. They read a dialogue between parents debating educational choices for two children, and then match adverbs such as “perhaps,” “anyway,” “especially,” “at least,” and “of course” to their functions. Students also apply these adverbs in a scenario where a parent speaks with a teacher about a child’s performance and daily routine. This section develops both comprehension and functional language skills, focusing on expressing opinions, certainty, and possibility in educational contexts.

TEAM UP & COME TO AGREEMENTS: EDUCATION EDITION

Students work in pairs or small groups to tackle realistic educational dilemmas. Scenarios include moving to a new school district, choosing extra courses for students, adopting homework policies, implementing anonymous teacher evaluations, and handling bullying cases. Using the target adverbs, students discuss, negotiate, and reach group decisions on each scenario. Optionally, they can choose from guided talking points about what they would like to learn, favorite classes, or practical skills. This activity encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and the practical use of vocabulary and expressions related to education and decision-making.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS HOMESCHOOLING AND LEARNING ESL LESSON PLAN

Teachers will find this lesson plan highly effective for developing student speaking skills and encouraging critical thinking. Students engage in meaningful discussions about learning styles and education systems. The video and worksheets provide structured yet flexible practice for vocabulary and comprehension. Activities support teamwork and real-life decision-making scenarios. This lesson plan also integrates grammar and functional language naturally into authentic contexts, making it practical and memorable.