Category Archives: Upper-Intermediate

Here is a list of upper-intermediate ESL lesson plans on a variety of topics for English conversation class. Note that there are many lessons at this level, so be sure to click the ‘older posts‘ link at the bottom of the page to see more. If you’d prefer to see a list of lesson plan topics, please view the topic list.

Escaping Reality to Avoid Life (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

ESL/EFL Level: Upper-Intermediate (B2/C1) Lesson Topics: Diversions, Escapism Skill Focus: Reading, Speaking, Vocabulary Approximate Class Time: 1.5 hours Lesson Plan Download: signs-escaping-reality-upper-intermediate-032024.docx Lesson Overview: After warm-up questions, students read a 241-word passage (based on this C2-level YouTube video) that describes six signs that people are avoiding reality. These signs describe ways that people dive into diversions […]

Friendship in the 21st Century (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on friendship, loneliness, and the friendship recession that includes speaking & vocabulary activities for B2/C1 ESL levels.

Neuralink Implants Brain Chip (Upper-Intermediate)

A video-based lesson on the successful implant of a brain chip into a human by Elon Musk’s company Neuralink for upper-intermediate ESL class.

Hedonism & The Experience Machine (Upper-Intermediate)

An upper-intermediate lesson on a TED-Ed video about Nozick’s Experience Machine. The speaking-focused lesson discusses hedonism and reality.

36 Days: A Lesson on Migration (Upper-Intermediate)

An lesson on the perilous journey of 101 African migrants who spent 36 days at sea. The lesson includes speaking activities for ESL class.

Five Stories to Watch in 2024 (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

An upper-intermediate lesson on The Economist’s “5 Stories to Watch Out For in 2024”. Themes include an election in Taiwan, AI, & the BRICS.

What Tom Whitwell Learned in 2023 (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

An upper-intermediate lesson on a post about what Tom Whitwell learned in 2023. Topics include homelessness, corruption, and body image.

2023 News in Review (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan)

An upper-intermediate (B2/C1) lesson on the top news stories of 2023. This lesson is designed for conversational ESL class.

Waitress Wins the Lottery (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

An upper-intermediate conversational English lesson about how waitress Tonda Dickerson’s life changed after winning the lottery.

Arieh Smith’s Tips on Language Learning (Upper-Intermediate)

This lesson summarizes polyglot Ariel Smith’s approach to language acquisition. It contains reading, vocabulary, and speaking activities.

The Argument Against University (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on the arguments against getting a college/university degree. Speaking, vocabulary, and listening activities are included.

Sam Harris on Free Will (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan)

An upper-intermediate lesson on Sam Harris’s view on free will. Includes speaking roleplays, debates, & vocabulary activities for ESL class.

Streaming Wars: The New Age of Entertainment (Upper-Intermediate)

An upper-intermediate lesson on streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney+, etc.) and the battle for attention spans. Includes speaking activities

Passive Income (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

An upper-intermediate lesson on passive income strategies and making money. The lesson includes speaking, listening, & vocabulary activities.

Atheism & Religion: The Nones (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

An upper-intermediate (B2/C1) lesson based on AP’s “The Nones” report on atheism worldwide. It contains speaking & reading ESL activities.

Four Secrets from Sports Psychology (Upper-Intermediate)

An upper-intermediate lesson based on a short video about secrets from sports psychology that people can use in everyday life. (B2/C1 ESL)

The History of Halloween (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on a short video about the history of Halloween which includes a debate, role-plays, and vocabulary activities for B2/C1 ESL levels.

Mystery Travel Destinations (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

Explore the world with this upper-intermediate (B2) lesson focused on travel & destinations. Includes vocabulary and speaking activities.

The Milestones of Life (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

Teachers, use this lesson on life’s milestones with upper-intermediate (B2) ESL students. It includes speaking activities, reading, & idioms.

Future Cities, NEOM, & The Line (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

This lesson is about future cities and Saudi Arabia’s Neom & The Line projects. The lesson contains a reading and short video. (B2/C1 Level)

Unsolved Crimes (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on the 300-million-yen robbery in Tokyo and D.B. Cooper’s infamous airplane hijacking. Includes debates and roleplays for EFL class.