Category Archives: Advanced

Here is a list of advanced ESL lesson plans on a variety of topics for English conversation class. 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.

Carl Jung on the Shadow (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A lesson on Carl Jung’s concept of the shadow, an unconscious part of personality. The lesson was designed for advanced conversation class.

Did High School Prepare You For Life? (Advanced Lesson)

A lesson on whether high school provides students the skills they need for success. Designed for C1/C2 ESL conversation class.

Trump’s Trade War Begins (Advanced Lesson)

A video-based lesson on Trump’s tariffs and their effects on Canada, Mexico, and China, designed for C1/C2-level conversation class.

Entrepreneurship in Europe & The United States (Advanced)

An advanced lesson on Europe’s “economic suicide” contrasted with the growth and strong environment for start-ups in the United States.

Popularity in High School (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A lesson on the five levels of popularity, from total geeks to sigma chads, in high school based on a funny YouTube video. (C1/C2 ESL)

Suffering & Epicureanism (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A lesson based on a BigThink video about Epicureanism, suffering, and happiness. The lesson has speaking activities for C1/C2 ESL class.

Predictions: The Top News Stories of 2025 (Advanced Lesson)

Discuss The Economist’s predictions for the top 2025 news stories related to the Russo-Ukraine war, Trump, and artificial intelligence (C1/C2)

Tuffs & Toughs (Advanced Lesson on Class & Privilege)

A lesson on social class and privilege centered on the 1937 “Tuffs and Toughs” photograph, focusing on speaking and vocabulary (C1/C2 ESL).

2024 Year in Review (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A lesson summarizing 12 major news stories from 2024. The lesson contains speaking and vocabulary building for C1/C2 ESL levels.

AITA: Am I the A**Hole? (Advanced Lesson Plan)

An advanced ESL lesson on three stories from the AITA (r/AmItheAsshole) Subreddit. The lesson focuses on speaking and vocabulary building.

Health Insurance CEO Murdered (Advanced Lesson)

A video-based lesson on the murder of United Healthcare CEO and the online backlash against the insurance industry. Designed for C1/C2 ESL

How to Look Terrible in Your Clothes (Advanced Lesson)

A lesson based on a video entitled “How to Look Terrible in your Clothes” with fashion-related speaking activities for C1/C2 ESL levels.

Johnny Somali Arrested in South Korea (Advanced Lesson)

A lesson about a disrespectful influencer being arrested in his travels in South Korea. The video includes speaking activities for C1/C2 ESL.

Motivation & Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Advanced Lesson)

A video-based lesson on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that includes roleplays and speaking activities about future goals and aspirations (C1/C2)

Apartment Hunting & Renting (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A lesson on apartment features, rental scams, and giving an virtual tour of an open house designed for advanced ESL conversation class.

Cosmetics, Branding, & Rare Beauty (Advanced Lesson)

An advanced lesson on Selena Gomez’s makeup brand, Rare Beauty. The ESL lesson also focuses on cosmetics, marketing, and branding.

Third Man Syndrome (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A lesson about third man syndrome, survival, and coping mechanisms, designed for C1/C2 conversational English class.

Class, Caste, & Social Equality (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A lesson on social equality & class structures based on a video about India’s caste system. Several speaking activities are included.

Talking about Art (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A lesson on talking about art based a YouTube video with Jerry Saltz. Students practice discussing famous paintings including abstract art.

Expressing Empathy (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A lesson on expressing empathy & the differences between empathy and sympathy designed for advanced ESL conversation class.

The Most Annoying Lesson Plan (Advanced)

A lesson on the 11 most annoying things ever. The lesson includes vocabulary and speaking activities for advanced ESL class.