Category Archives: Advanced ESL Lessons for Conversation Class (C1/C2)

Browse our collection of advanced ESL lesson plans for conversation classes at the C1/C2 level. These lessons contain video or reading inputs, vocabulary practice, and speaking activities that encourage debate and critical thinking. Topics include free speech, political polarization, social media, philosophy, immigration, and other real-world issues that engage advanced students.

If you’d prefer to see a list of lesson plan topics, please view the topic list.

The Worst Seat on the Plane (Advanced Lesson)

Based on a complaint letter read by Alan Carr, this advanced ESL lesson explores air travel, passenger rights, and complaining in English.

The Highest Levels of Human Performance (Advanced Lesson)

An advanced lesson on new research that challenges early specialization as the path to success. Contains vocabulary and discussion activities.

A Pale Blue Dot (Advanced Lesson Plan)

An advanced ESL lesson on Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot with vocabulary and speaking tasks on humility, ideology, and human responsibility.

“The Employment” Short Film & Worker Alienation (Advanced Lesson)

A C1/C2 ESL lesson based on the short film The Employment, exploring work, alienation, hierarchy, and meaning through discussion and roleplay.

The Overton Window (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A C1/C2 ESL lesson on the Overton Window with vocabulary, listening, and speaking activities exploring public acceptability and politics.

2025 Year in Review (Advanced Lesson Plan)

Explore the most impactful global events of 2025 in this C1/C2 ESL lesson, featuring news-based vocabulary, debates, and speaking tasks.

The Westboro Baptist Church (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A C1/C2 ESL lesson exploring belief, persuasion, and social media through the story of a former Westboro Baptist Church member.

Sniper Tourists (Advanced Lesson on Dark Tourism)

An advanced lesson on the Bosnian War and sniper tourism featuring vocabulary, reading, and debate activities on dark tourism & human nature.

Habitus & Social Mobility (Advanced Lesson)

A C1/C2 lesson on social class and habitus, featuring video, vocabulary, and role-plays on culture, inequality, and social mobility.

The Teenage Brothers Tracking ICE (Advanced Lesson)

A C1/C2 ESL lesson on ICE raids and immigration featuring vocabulary, comprehension, and speaking tasks about law, justice, and civic action.

Heist at the Louvre (Advanced Lesson on Crime & Theft)

A lesson on the theft of crown jewels from the Louvre, Paris, including vocabulary and speaking activities for advanced ESL C1/C2 class.

Gambling, Pain, & Addiction (Advanced Lesson)

A C1/C2 ESL lesson on gambling, addiction, and social media featuring a street interview, vocabulary, discussion tasks, and roleplays.

Dating Then and Now (Advanced Lesson)

A lesson comparing dating in the 1990s to the present, with speaking, vocabulary, idiom, and discussion tasks for advanced (C1/C2) students.

Rent a Friend in Japan (Advanced Lesson)

A lesson on Japan’s rent-a-friend trend. Includes vocabulary, comprehension, and speaking activities for C1/Cc2-level conversation class.

Free Speech & Political Debate in the Social Media Era (Advanced)

A lesson on Sarah McBride's "abandonment of persuasion" on social media featuring speaking activities for advanced (C1/C2) ESL class.

Real-Life Superhero Phoenix Jones (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A lesson on a real-life superhero (or villain?) Phoenix Jones, including speaking and vocab activities for advanced (C1/C2) ESL/EFL class.

Millionaire’s Last Hunt (Advanced Lesson)

A lesson on big game hunting with vocabulary, roleplay, and other speaking activities for advanced (C1/C2) ESL/EFL class.

Ten Minutes to Live (Advanced Lesson)

Jim Carrey explains his experience after getting a missile alert in Hawaii. The advanced lesson includes vocabulary and role-plays.

The History of Architecture (Advanced Lesson)

C1/C2 ESL lesson on architecture’s journey from pyramids to skyscrapers. Incl. vocab, debates & role-play about design eras & city planning.

The Traits of Cool People (Advanced Lesson)

A lesson on coolness based on a psychology study. Includes vocabulary, comprehension, and speaking tasks for C1/C2 conversational ESL classes.

Stuck Together: Divorce in the Philippines (Advanced)

Explore divorce & marriage law in the Philippines with this C1/C2 lesson featuring video, vocabulary, comprehension, and roleplay activities.