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Voting & Elections ESL Lesson

The Electoral College: How U.S. Elections Work

Student Level

Downloads:804

Video Length: 2:56

Updated on: 10/17/2024

Lesson Time: 1–2 hrs.

1 Credit

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Voting & Elections ESL Lesson Description

OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This voting and elections ESL lesson plan offers activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for upper intermediate B2 and advanced C1 students. In this lesson, students will:

  • Explore vocabulary related to U.S. presidential elections and connect it to the election process.
  • Analyze statements about elections to differentiate between fact and fiction.
  • Discuss current events and predictions surrounding the upcoming presidential election.
  • Watch a video that explains the Electoral College, its history, and its impact on elections.
  • Engage in follow-up discussions and activities that deepen their understanding of voting and elections.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

In the preview phase of this voting and elections ESL lesson plan, there are activities for vocabulary and discussion. Students begin by exploring key vocabulary terms associated with U.S. presidential elections, such as "Electoral College," "campaigns," "polling" and "battleground states." They share their thoughts on the meanings of these terms and how they relate to the electoral process. Next, students evaluate several statements regarding elections in the U.S., determining which are true and which are false while justifying their answers. They then engage in a current events discussion, where they either share their knowledge about the upcoming presidential election or discuss the results if the election date has passed. Finally, students reflect on significant events that have occurred during the 2024 presidential campaigns in the U.S.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

During the viewing activity, students watch a concise video that explains the Electoral College, detailing its historical context, how it operates, and its effects on presidential elections. The video emphasizes the discrepancies between the popular vote and the Electoral College outcome, with examples from the 2016 and 2020 elections. After viewing, students respond to questions regarding the establishment and functioning of the Electoral College. They also complete a true or false exercise about specific facts related to the system, correcting any false statements. Finally, students summarize what happened in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. This highlights how sometimes candidate win the Electoral College, but lose the popular vote.

DISCUSSION & VOTING / ELECTION VOCABULARY

In the viewing follow-up section, students participate in a discussion about their thoughts on the Electoral College, identifying its advantages and disadvantages. They also compare the U.S. presidential election system to that of their own countries, sharing personal experiences related to voting. To further develop their vocabulary and comprehension, students complete sentences using provided nouns related to elections, such as "demographics" and "fraud." They then create original sentences based on prompts about election fraud, political rallies, and candidates' withdrawals from the presidential race.

ELECTION INSIGHTS: DIVE DEEP INTO THE ELECTION LANDSCAPE

In the activation section, students engage in an interactive activity called "Election Insights: Dive into the Election Landscape." They choose topics to discuss with a classmate or teacher. The can draw on their existing knowledge or do some online research. After selecting their topics, they address discussion questions that promote deeper analysis, such as:

  • The impact of assassination attempts on political figures
  • The implications of Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race
  • The dynamics of battleground states, the effectiveness of political rallies
  • Measures to prevent election fraud.

This activity encourages students to articulate their views and engage in meaningful conversations about the electoral landscape.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS VOTING & ELECTIONS ESL LESSON PLAN

This lesson plan on voting and elections offers several benefits for teachers. It promotes active engagement through varied activities that encourage discussion and critical thinking. The lesson effectively integrates a video to make the lesson more engaging. The next benefit is that it can help students develop their vocabulary related to elections or voting, and improve language skills in a meaningful context. Finally, the focus on current events makes the lesson relevant and timely. 

Video Description

This video explains the U.S. Electoral College, covering its history, function, and impact on presidential elections, while highlighting discrepancies between the popular vote and Electoral College outcomes using examples from the 2016 and 2020 elections.

Lesson Activities

Speaking

Voting, Elections, Electoral College, U.S. Election Process

Viewing

Short Answers, True / False Statements, 2016 & 2020 Elections 

Vocabulary

Voting & Election Vocabulary, Nouns

Additional

Discussion & Research Topics

Lesson Topics

Voting, Elections, Electoral College, U.S. Election Process, Politics

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