Lessons
Travel & Transport
700 mph in a tube: The Hyperloop Experience
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about the Hyperloop. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about modern transportation and travel. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms and expressions related to transportation. The grammar exercises feature the difference between can / could, using adverbs, and the passive tense. In the cooperation activity students do interviews and have an imaginative discussion about travel.
- Speaking:
- Modern Transportation, Travel, Hyperloop
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, Multiple Choice, Order of Events
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Parts of Speech, Expressions, Verbs
- Grammar:
- Can vs Could / Adverbs / Passive Voice
- Cooperation:
- Imaginative Discussion, Interview
Type of video: Informational / News Report
Length of video: 4:38
Topics: Modern Transportation, Travel, Hyperloop
This video is a news report which contains interviews and discussions with people involved in the Hyperloop project. The reporter explores questions about the basic of the Hyperloop, the challenges for its construction, and how it will revolutionize and impact transportation as we know it.
*Most suitable for upper intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Inside Uber's Self-Driving Car
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a news report on self-driving Uber cars in Pittsburgh. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about self-driving cars. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features prepositions. In the cooperation activity students can create a new type of technology.
- Speaking:
- Self-Driving Cars, Driving, Technology
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, True / False
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Phrasal Verbs, Parts of Speech
- Grammar:
- Prepositions
- Cooperation:
- Creating New Technology Concept
Type of video: News Report / Interview
Length of video: 2:12
Topics: Self-Driving Cars, Uber, Technology
Pittsburgh's mayor says that innovation always comes before regulation, and he wants to give Pittsburgh the chance to become a leader in the field of automotive innovation. Meet a self-driving Uber - a car that could revolutionize transport as we know it.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Our ride in a self-driving Uber
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a news report on self-driving Uber cars in Pittsburgh. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about self-driving cars. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features prepositions with driving. In the cooperation activity students can create a new type of technology.
- Speaking:
- Self-Driving Cars, Driving, Technology
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, Multiple Choice
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Road / Car Categorization
- Grammar:
- Prepositions with Driving
- Cooperation:
- Creating New Technology Concept
Type of video: News Report
Length of video: 3:15
Topics: Self-Driving Cars, Uber, Technology
Uber comes to Pittsburgh with an innovative twist to the car-sharing economy - self-driving cars. Why Pittsburgh? How does a self-driving car work? How far away are we from this becoming a normal thing? How do Uber drivers feel about this? Hop in a ride and check out the answers with a CNN reporter and the director of Uber Advanced Technologies.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Self-Driving Car Test: Steve Mahan
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a blind man who gets behind the wheel of a self-driving car. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about self-driving cars. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features the superlative + present perfect. In the cooperation activity students can create their own documentary scene.
- Speaking:
- Self-Driving Cars, Technology
- Viewing:
- Matching Sentences, Short Answers, Post-Viewing Discussion
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Road-related Vocabulary
- Grammar:
- Superlative + Present Perfect
- Cooperation:
- Creating a Documentary Scene
Type of video: Short Documentary
Length of video: 3:01
Topics: Self-Driving Cars, Technology
Hop in a self-driving Google car with Steve Mahan, a blind man who gets to enjoy the luxury of riding in a self-driving car as a "driver." This is what the future of automobive transportation holds for society.
*Most suitable for pre-intermediate - intermediate students. Suitable for ages 14+
An E-Bike With a Retro Feel
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a man who created a startup company selling retro electric bicycles. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about bicycles. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercises feature reflexive pronouns and relative pronouns. In the cooperation activity students can create a website or a story.
- Speaking:
- Bicycles, Startups
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, Multiple Choice, True / False
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Phrasal Verbs
- Grammar:
- Reflexive Pronouns / Relative Pronouns
- Cooperation:
- Creating a Website, Creating a Story
Type of video: News Report / Story
Length of video: 3:09
Topics: Bicycles, Startups
American start up, Vintage Electric, is determined to create hand-made electric bikes in the land where the car is king. The company wants to take a stand against planned obsolescence, designing timeless products that are built to last for generations.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
10 Tips: How to Survive a Long Flight
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about tips for surviving a long flight. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about flying and flights. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercises feature the future tense (will vs going to), get + adjectives, verb structures (get and have). In the cooperation activity students create stories or make a travel vlog.
- Speaking:
- Flying, Flights, Travel
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, Mark What You See, Post-Viewing Discussion
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage
- Grammar:
- Future (will vs going to) / Get + Adjectives / Verb Structures (Get / Have)
- Cooperation:
- Story-telling, Making a Vlog
Type of video: Vlog
Length of video: 4:05
Topics: Traveling, Flights, Tips
We all love travelling but long flights can be a drag. Learn what you can do in order to enhance your overall experience with two guys who know best, giving you all the tips you need to get through a long flight.
*Suitable for pre-intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Can Our Minds Handle a Mission to Mars?
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about an experiment to prepare psychologically for a trip to Mars. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about Mars. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercises feature the passive voice, modal verbs, and the difference between even / even if / even though. In the cooperation activity students plan a trip, make interviews, or vlog recordings.
- Speaking:
- Mars Colonization, Facts
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, Multiple Choice, True / False
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage
- Grammar:
- Passive / Modal Verbs / Difference between even, even if, even though
- Cooperation:
- Planning a trip to Mars, Making Interviews, Making Vlog Recordings
Type of video: News Report / Interviews
Length of video: 5:00
Topics: Mars Mission, Experiment
Big plans to colonize Mars are already in the making. However, one important question needs to be analyzed - Will humans be able to psychologically sustain such a challenging mission?
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
AirBnB Targets Business Travelers
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about AirBnB and hotels. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about AirBnB and the sharing economy. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to these topics. The grammar exercises feature the present simple (adverbs of frequency), to be used to + ing verb, and present perfect continuous. In the cooperation activity students write descriptions, reviews or present an experience.
- Speaking:
- AirBnB, Hotels, Uber, Sharing Economy
- Viewing:
- Multiple Choice
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage
- Grammar:
- Present Simple (adverbs of frequency) / to be used to + ing verb / Present Perfect Continuous
- Cooperation:
- Writing descriptions & reviews, Present an experience
Type of video: News Report
Length of video: 2:15
Topics: AirBnB, Hotels, Accommodation Services
AirBnB is now stepping up their game to focus more on business travelers, which has consequently created some friction with the hotel industry. Hotel owners argue that AirBnB doesn’t face the same level of regulation as they do. This news report dives into this bitter rivalry between the hotels and AirBnB service.
*Suitable for pre-intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 16+
Jumbo Drone that Carries Humans
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a drone that carries human passengers. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about drones and helicopters. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to these topics. The grammar exercises feature question formation in the past simple / present perfect, going to, and adverbs. In the cooperation activity students describe a trip, design a concept, or create legislation.
- Speaking:
- Drones, Helicopters
- Viewing:
- True / False, Post-Viewing Discussion
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage
- Grammar:
- Question Formation (in the past simple / present perfect) / to be + going to / Adverbs
- Cooperation:
- Describing a Trip, Designing a Concept / Features, Creating Legislation
Type of video: News Report / Interview
Length of video: 2:58
Topics: Drones, Helicopters
A reporter does an interview with a team member for the the E-hang 184, which is a pretty cool big-boy toy - a passenger drone integrated with self-pilot functionality, which allows you to simply hop in and go. The team member explains how it works and how it compares to a helicopter.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Space Hotels Aren't Sci-Fi Anymore
In these ESL lesson plans for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about space hotels. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about hotels and outer space. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to these topics. The grammar exercises feature question formation in the present simple and the second conditional. In the cooperation activity students make an imaginative experience, describe a special kind of trip with photos, or create a new concept.
- Speaking:
- Hotels, Outer Space
- Viewing:
- Multiple Choice, True / False
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Phrasal Verbs
- Grammar:
- Question Formation (in the present simple) / Second Conditional
- Cooperation:
- Make an Imaginative Experience, Story-telling, Creating a Concept
Type of video: News Report / Interview
Length of video: 4:29
Topics: Space Technology, Hotels
Imagine looking down at planet Earth from a bedroom in space. Sounds like a sci-fi story, but Robert Bigelow, a real estate mogul, is serious about getting the first space hotels up and running.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 16+