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

Browse our collection of advanced speaking-focused ESL lesson plans for conversation classes at the C1/C2 level. These lessons include video or reading inputs, vocabulary practice, and communicative 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 learners.

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Unconventional Relationships: Living with My Ex (Advanced)

A lesson about a man living with his ex, who comes out as gay. Includes vocabulary, grammar, discussion, and speaking activities for C1/C2 ESL

The 12 Neighbours Village (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A C1/C2 ESL lesson on a tiny home community helping the homeless. Includes idioms, vocabulary, role-plays, and speaking activities.

How Long Will Life on Earth Last? (Advanced ESL Lesson)

An advanced lesson on a study predicting plant life could last 1.8 billion more years. Includes vocabulary and speaking activities. (C1/C2)

Taoist Parables: The Chinese Farmer & The Useless Tree (Advanced)

Two Taoist parables, the Chinese Farmer and the Useless Tree, with vocabulary, discussion questions, and speaking activities. (C1/C2 ESL)

The Grizzly Man (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A C1/C2 ESL lesson on Timothy Treadwell, who spent 13 summers living among grizzly bears in Alaska before being killed by one in 2003.

Child Abduction in China (Advanced Lesson)

A lesson on child trafficking and a father's search for his son in China. Includes vocabulary and speaking activities (C1/C2 ESL).

Passport Bros (Advanced Lesson Plan)

An advanced lesson on passport bros: dating culture, gender relations, and economic inequality. Includes speaking activities. (C1/C2)

The Wisdom of African Proverbs (Advanced Lesson Plan)

An advanced lesson on African proverbs. Includes a proverb discussion game, and other vocabulary and speaking activities (C1/C2).

Top Travel Destinations for 2026 (Advanced Lesson Plan)

An advanced lesson on 2026 travel destinations: Almaty, Vienna, Corsica, Penang, & San Francisco. Includes vocabulary and speaking activities.

Prejudice & Propaganda in 1947 (Upper-Intermediate/Advanced)

A 1947 US government film on prejudice and propaganda, including vocabulary, discussion, and speaking activities for C1-ESL class.

The Looksmaxxing Beauty Trend (Advanced Lesson Plan)

An advanced lesson on "looksmaxxing" and male beauty. Students debate beauty trends promoted by social media influencers (C1/C2 ESL).

Afroman & The Streisand Effect (Advanced Lesson)

An advanced lesson on the Afroman case, exploring free speech and the Streisand Effect. Includes vocabulary and speaking activities (C1/C2).

Predictive Markets & Event Betting (Advanced Lesson)

An advanced lesson on Polymarket, a prediction market where users bet on events. Includes vocabulary, discussion, and speaking activities.

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.