Category Archives: Intermediate ESL Lessons for Conversation Class (B1/B2)

Browse our collection of intermediate ESL lesson plans for conversation classes at the B1/B2 level. These lessons contain video or reading inputs, vocabulary practice, and speaking activities that encourage debate and critical thinking. Topics include travel, dating, scams, and social media, and other real-world issues that engage intermediate students.

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

“The Employment” Short Film & Worker Alienation (Intermediate) February 9, 2026

A B1/B2 ESL lesson based on the short film The Employment, exploring modern work and alienation through discussion and roleplay.
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2025 Year in Review (Intermediate Lesson Plan) January 3, 2026

Explore the most impactful global events of 2025 in this B1/B2 ESL lesson, featuring news-based vocabulary, debates, and speaking tasks.
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Christmas Around the World (Intermediate Lesson Plan) December 25, 2025

A B1/B2 lesson on Christmas traditions in the Philippines, Mexico, Finland, and Vietnam with vocabulary and speaking tasks.
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War Tourism in Sarajevo (Intermediate Lesson on Dark Tourism) November 19, 2025

An intermediate lesson on the Bosnian War and sniper tourism featuring vocabulary, reading, and debate activities on dark tourism (B1/B2 ESL)
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ICE Agents vs. Communities (Intermediate Lesson Plan) November 2, 2025

A lesson on the ICE immigrant raids and community responses in the U.S., including vocabulary and speaking activities for B1/B2 ESL class.
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Rent a Friend in Japan (Intermediate Lesson) September 29, 2025

A lesson on Japan’s rent-a-friend trend. Includes vocabulary, comprehension, and speaking activities for B1/B2-level conversation class.
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Millionaire’s Last Hunt (Intermediate Lesson Plan) August 26, 2025

A lesson on big game hunting with vocabulary, roleplay, and other speaking activities for upper-intermediate (B2/C1) ESL/EFL class.
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Thirty-Eight Minutes to Live (Intermediate Lesson) August 10, 2025

B1/B2 lesson on the 2018 Hawaii missile alert with reading, vocabulary, comprehension, & speaking roleplays about living without regret.
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Stuck Together: Divorce in the Philippines (Intermediate Lesson) July 4, 2025

Explore divorce & marriage law in the Philippines with this B1/B2 lesson featuring video, vocabulary, comprehension, and roleplay activities.
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Colonialism & Truth Telling (Intermediate Lesson) May 30, 2025

A lesson on the harms of colonialism and the push for reconciliation. Includes speaking tasks and vocabulary-building activities.
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Daryl Davis & The KKK (Intermediate Lesson) May 19, 2025

A powerful lesson on empathy, racism, and dialogue based on Daryl Davis's story. Includes vocabulary, role-plays, discussion (B1/B2 ESL).
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Asch’s Study on Conformity (Intermediate Lesson Plan) April 4, 2025

A lesson based on Asch's 1950s experiment about conformity and individualism. The lesson has speaking activities for B1/B2 ESL.
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The Greatest Novels Ever Written (Intermediate) February 23, 2025

A speaking-focused lesson for on the "greatest novels" ever, including Anna Karenina, The Great Gatsby, and To Kill a Mockingbird. (B1/B2)
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Tuffs & Toughs (Intermediate Lesson on Social Class) January 7, 2025

A lesson on social class and privilege centered on the 1937 "Tuffs and Toughs" photograph, focusing on speaking and vocabulary (B1/B2 ESL).
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2024 Year in Review (Intermediate Lesson Plan) December 29, 2024

An intermediate lesson plan reviewing the top news events of 2024, featuring speaking and vocabulary activities for ESL class.
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AITA Lesson on Interpersonal Conflicts (Intermediate) December 18, 2024

A B1/B2-level lesson on three stories from the AITA (r/AmItheAsshole) Subreddit. The lesson focuses on speaking and vocabulary building.
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Cosmetics, Branding, & Rare Beauty (Intermediate Lesson) October 15, 2024

An intermediate lesson on Selena Gomez's makeup brand, Rare Beauty. The ESL lesson also focuses on cosmetics, marketing, and branding.
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The Most Annoying Lesson Plan (Intermediate) September 3, 2024

A lesson on the nine most annoying things ever. The lesson includes vocabulary and speaking activities for B1/B2-level ESL class.
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Angus Barbieri’s Fast (Intermediate Lesson Plan) July 26, 2024

A lesson on on dieting, weight loss, and Angus Barbieri's 382-day fast for intermediate (B1/B2) ESL student speaking practice.
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Oslo: Is It Even a City? (Intermediate Lesson Plan) July 10, 2024

A lesson on travel based on a commercial about visiting Oslo. The lesson has roleplay and vocabulary activities for intermediate ESL class.
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Dan Saunders & The Bank Machine (Intermediate Lesson) May 26, 2024

A lesson about an Australian man who takes 1.6 million from bank machines before turning himself in. The ESL lesson has speaking activities.
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