Lessons
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What It's Like to Fly Into a Hurricane
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a pilot who actually flies an airplane through a hurricane. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about natural disasters and hurricanes. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features questions in the past simple. In the cooperation activity students discuss dangerous and risky jobs.
- Speaking:
- Hurricanes, Dangerous Jobs
- Viewing:
- Making Questions Based on the Video
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Extra Hurricane-related Vocabulary
- Grammar:
- Past Simple Questions
- Cooperation:
- Discussing Dangerous and Risky Jobs
Type of video: Story
Length of video: 2:36
Topics: Hurricanes, Dangerous Jobs
Justin Kibber, a 'Hurricane Hunter,' talks about his experience flying through Hurricane Earl, and what is what like to be in the eye of the storm. Discuss the topic of hurricanes in general with your students and other adrenaline-filled jobs out there in the world.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Learning About Hurricanes
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about the basics of hurricanes. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about natural disasters and hurricanes. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features superlative adjectives. In the cooperation activity students create a public statement.
- Speaking:
- Hurricanes, Natural Disasters
- Viewing:
- Number Matching, Fill-in-the-Blanks, Sentence Matching
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Synonyms, Adjective Opposites
- Grammar:
- Superlative Adjectives
- Cooperation:
- Creating a Public Statement
Type of video: Educational
Length of video: 2:17
Topics: Hurricanes, Natural Disasters
A short and simple video about the basics of hurricanes. Teach your students how they are formed, the most essential vocabulary terms associated with them, while also discussing how to prepare for hurricanes and what the impacts of them can be.
*Most suitable for pre-intermediate - intermediate students. Suitable for ages 14+
Dean Karnazes, the ULTRAmarathon Man
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about an ultra-marathon runner. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about running, marathons, and unique talents. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features prepositions. In the cooperation activity students can create a story about a 'super human.'
- Speaking:
- Running, Ultra-Marathons, Special Talents
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, Matching Sentences
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Parts of Speech
- Grammar:
- Prepositions
- Cooperation:
- Creating a Story
Type of video: Story / Documentary
Length of video: 5:09
Topics: Ultra-Marathons, Unique Talents
Meet the most notorious Ultra Marathon runner to ever exist - Dean Karnazes. This guy runs a marathon before breakfast, and his day doesn't stop there. Learn and discuss this 'superhuman' with your students, and find out what special gift he has that allows him to run like no other.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Why do people run the marathon?
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about running marathons and why we do it. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about running and marathons. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features prepositions. In the cooperation activity students can create quotes and discuss the good side of human nature.
- Speaking:
- Running, Marathons
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, True / False, Post-Viewing Discussion
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Extra Running-related Vocabulary
- Grammar:
- Prepositions
- Cooperation:
- Creating Quotes, Discussing the good side of human nature
Type of video: Story / Documentary
Length of video: 2:56
Topics: Running Marathons
A reporter runs a marathon with his girlfriend in New York, while interviewing others along the way about their motivation and inspiration. Does running a marathon bring out the good in human nature?
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Nike: Meet the Runners – Eliud Kipchoge
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a marathon runner trying to be the first to run a marathon under 2 hours. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about running, marathons, and memorable moments in sports history. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features no / any (negative sentences). In the cooperation activity students can create story scripts.
- Speaking:
- Running, Sports Moments
- Viewing:
- True / False, Matching Sentences, Post-Viewing Discussion
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage
- Grammar:
- No / Any (Expressing Negatives)
- Cooperation:
- Creating Stories Script
Type of video: Running / Inspirational / Positive Attitude
Length of video: 1:22
Topics: Running, Motivation, Inspiration
Meet a runner from the Nike team who aspires to become the first one to ever run a marathon in under 2 hours. Find out what his secret to success is.
*Most suitable for pre-intermediate - intermediate students. Suitable for ages 14+
What is Happiness?
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a thought experiment on happiness. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about a happy life. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features the active / passive voice. In the cooperation activity students find ways to make a positive mentality out of negative situations.
- Speaking:
- Happiness, Life
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, Post-Viewing Discussion
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Parts of Speech
- Grammar:
- Active / Passive Voice
- Cooperation:
- Optimistic Situations
Type of video: Informational / Inspirational
Length of video: 3:41
Topics: Happiness
It's a question we all come across at some point in our lives, or maybe we even ask ourselves this question every day, however we may have some misconceptions about how we achieve happiness. This video explores the true essence of happiness in its purest form.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
A Valuable Lesson for a Happier Life
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a thought experiment on happiness. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about a happy life. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features the first conditional. In the cooperation activity students can talk about philosophical thought experiments.
- Speaking:
- Happiness, Happy Lifestyle, Philosophy
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, Post-Viewing Discussion
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Parts of Speech
- Grammar:
- First Conditional
- Cooperation:
- Thought Experiments
Type of video: Inspirational Talk
Length of video: 3:05
Topics: Happiness, Philosophy Experiment
A professor demonstrates a thought experiment on life and happiness to a class of college students during a Philosophy 101 course. All it takes is a jar, golf balls, pebbles, sand, and yes, beer. This video explores the nature of happiness and what it means.
*Most suitable for 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+
Tomorrowland - A Premium Music Festival Experience
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about an electronic musical festival called Tomorrowland. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about music festivals. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features a review of tenses. In the cooperation activity students can organize an event, write a review, or describe an experience.
- Speaking:
- Music Festivals, Tomorrowland
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, True / False, Number Matching
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Compound Adjectives
- Grammar:
- Review of Tenses
- Cooperation:
- Organizing an Event, Writing a Review, Describing an Experience
Type of video: News Report
Length of video: 4:05
Topics: Music Festivals, Tomorrowland
This video shows you what a premium music festival looks like. It'll blow your mind what luxuries, amenities, products, and services you can find at Europe's largest electronic dance music festival.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 16+
How to organize a music festival like Tomorrowland
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about an electronic musical festival called Tomorrowland. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about music festivals. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features word position / word order. In the cooperation activity students can organize an event.
- Speaking:
- Music Festivals, Tomorrowland
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, True / False, Number Matching
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Adverbs
- Grammar:
- Word Position / Word Order
- Cooperation:
- Organizing an Event
Type of video: News Report
Length of video: 5:33
Topics: Music Festivals, Tomorrowland
A CNN reporter explores the wild and luxurious atmosphere of Tomorrowland, one of Europe's largest music festivals. From the 'cave stage' to 'Dreamville', Tomorrowland offers it's guests a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 16+
Dreamville at Tomorrowland
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about an electronic musical festival called Tomorrowland. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about music festivals. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to this topic. The grammar exercise features countable & uncountable nouns. In the cooperation activity students can organize an event, make a complaint, or describe a performance.
- Speaking:
- Music Festivals, Tomorrowland
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, Mark What You See, Post-Viewing Discussion
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Extra 'Music Festival' Vocabulary
- Grammar:
- Countable & Uncountable Nouns
- Cooperation:
- Organizing an Event, Making a Complaint, Describing a Performance
Type of video: Interview / News Report
Length of video: 1:54
Topics: Music Festival, Tomorrowland, Dreamville
Tomorrowland is a huge music festival in Belgium. In this video, you get to hear from one of the event organizers about what it takes to set everything up and see what kind of people visit the event.
*Most suitable for pre-intermediate - intermediate students. Suitable for ages 16+
Humans Are A Dog's Best Friend
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about how dogs view humans, from a dog's perspective. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about dogs and pets. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to these topics. The grammar exercise features word position / word order. In the cooperation activity students can make a script for a new commercial.
- Speaking:
- Dogs, Pets
- Viewing:
- Short Answers, Post-Viewing Discussion
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Extra 'Dog' Vocabulary
- Grammar:
- Word Position / Word Order
- Cooperation:
- Making a Commercial Script
Type of video: Product Commerical
Length of video: 2:17
Topics: Dogs, Pets
You know how the saying goes - 'Dogs are man's best friend.' But does this hold true the other way around? Find out from the perspective and thoughts of a dog with your students. Apparently humans overcomplicate everything!
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+
Puppyhood
In this ESL lesson plan for adults and teens, students watch a video and do a listening exercise about a guy who finds and falls in love with a puppy. It includes discussion questions and conversation activities about dogs and pets. Students also learn some important vocabulary terms related to these topics. The grammar exercise features modal verbs. In the cooperation activity students can create a story or think from the perspective of a puppy.
- Speaking:
- Dogs, Pets, Puppies
- Viewing:
- Put Events in Order, Short Answers, Post-Viewing Discussion
- Vocabulary:
- Definitions, Context Usage, Expressions, Extra 'Dog' Vocabulary
- Grammar:
- Modal Verbs
- Cooperation:
- Creating a Story, Thinking from a puppy's perspective
Type of video: Story
Length of video: 3:34
Topics: Dogs, Puppies, Pets
What does life look like with a new puppy? This guy finds and falls in love with a puppy in a heartbeat, picks him up, takes him home and begins his new life in 'Puppyhood.' We all talk to our puppies and pets - but (hopefully) not like this guy.
*Most suitable for intermediate - advanced students. Suitable for ages 14+