OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This workaholism ESL lesson plan offers activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for advanced C1 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Define and discuss the traits and characteristics of workaholism versus a healthy work ethic.
• Expand vocabulary related to work habits, productivity, and the impacts of overwork.
• Watch a video about a community in Virginia that explores unique relationships to work, money, and productivity.
• Analyze the effects of workaholism through listening exercises and complete grammar-focused activities.
• Engage in role-playing scenarios to explore how to address and discuss concerns about workaholism effectively.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

Students begin this workaholism ESL lesson by reflecting on what it means to be a workaholic. They read descriptions of people with different work attitudes and decide who they think fits this label, encouraging self-reflection and discussion. Students then discuss various aspects of workaholism, including its signs, causes, and how it differs from having a strong work ethic. They examine how overworking can impact health, relationships, and job performance. Finally, students share their opinions on statements about workaholism and multitasking. They use agree/disagree prompts to engage in discussions on productivity and work habits.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

Students watch a video about a commune in rural Virginia, where people have chosen alternative lifestyles that reject conventional work structures and embrace more sustainable, collaborative ways of living. The video introduces different viewpoints on work, productivity, and capitalism. Students start by answering questions on how the man in the video, Tony Schwarz, defines a workaholic. Next, they complete true/false/not given exercises to test their understanding of the video’s key points, focusing on multitasking, productivity, and the impact of overworking. Students also listen carefully to fill in missing adverbs in Tony’s explanations about balancing work and rest for optimal productivity.

DISCUSSION & PARTS OF SPEECH

After watching the video, students discuss questions about their personal experiences with workaholism and consider ways to address it. They complete a grammar-focused exercise by filling in adjectives and nouns to complete an email expressing concerns about a spouse's work habits. Students then analyze the email, discussing how to express concerns sensitively and thoughtfully. They also think critically about how they would advise someone dealing with a workaholic partner, encouraging empathetic language and practical solutions.

ROLE PLAY: THE WORKAHOLIC WAKE-UP CALL (OPTION 1)

In this role-play, students imagine a scenario where they must address the issue of workaholism with a friend, family member, or colleague. They work in pairs, taking on roles where one person expresses concern about someone’s workaholic behavior and the other plays the workaholic. Students identify signs of workaholism, acknowledge or deny the claims, and discuss possible solutions. They are encouraged to use key vocabulary from the lesson to make their role-play more authentic and engaging.

WORKAHOLISM OPINIONS & TALKING POINTS (OPTION 2)

Students read and respond to two contrasting opinions about workaholism and multitasking. They engage in a critical discussion, sharing whether they agree or disagree with each view and providing reasons for their stance. Alternatively, students can choose from various talking points on topics related to ambition, cultural perceptions of workaholism, personal work ethic, and the challenges of disconnecting from work. This option allows students to practice expressing their opinions and experiences and have more personalized discussions.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS WORKAHOLISM ESL LESSON

• Promotes critical thinking and communication skills on a relevant topic, ideal for engaging discussions.
• Integrates vocabulary-building exercises that help students express nuanced views on work and productivity.
• Includes varied activities that encourage listening, writing, and speaking, providing a well-rounded learning experience.
• Role-play scenarios support students in practicing empathy, confrontation, and conflict resolution in a structured setting.
• Offers comprehensive materials that are easy to adapt to different teaching contexts, ensuring effective lesson delivery.