Category Archives: Upper-Intermediate Lessons for Conversation Class (B2/C1)

Browse our collection of upper-intermediate ESL lesson plans for conversation classes at the B2/C1 level. These lessons contain video or reading inputs, vocabulary practice, and speaking activities that encourage debate and critical thinking. Topics include free speech, politics, social media, philosophy, immigration, and other real-world issues that engage upper-intermediate students.

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

The Teenage Brothers Tracking ICE (Upper-Intermediate)

A B2/C1 ESL lesson on ICE raids and immigration featuring vocabulary, comprehension, and speaking tasks about law, justice, and civic action.

Gambling, Pain, & Addiction (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A B2/C1 ESL lesson on gambling, addiction, and social media featuring a street interview, vocabulary, discussion tasks, and roleplays.

Heist at the Louvre (Upper-Intermediate Lesson on Crime & Theft)

A lesson on the theft of crown jewels from the Louvre, Paris, including vocabulary and speaking activities for advanced ESL B2/C1 class.

Dating Then and Now (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A retro-style ESL lesson on dating then and now, featuring 1980s VHS dating clips, idioms, vocabulary, and roleplays for B2/C1 learners.

Rent a Friend in Japan (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on Japan’s rent-a-friend trend. Includes vocabulary, comprehension, and speaking activities for B2/C1-level conversation class.

Free Speech & Political Polarization (Upper-Intermediate)

A lesson on echo chambers, political division, and universities with vocabulary, comprehension, and speaking activities for B2/C1 ESL class.

Real-Life Superhero Phoenix Jones (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on a real-life superhero (or villain?) Phoenix Jones, including speaking and vocab activities for advanced (B2/C1) ESL/EFL class.

Millionaire’s Last Hunt (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on big game hunting with vocabulary, roleplay, and other speaking activities for upper-intermediate (B2/C1) ESL/EFL class.

Ten Minutes to Live (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

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

The Eras of Architecture (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

B2/C1 ESL lesson on architecture’s eras from classical to modern. Includes vocab, debates & role-play about design eras & city planning.

The Features of Cool People (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on coolness based on a psychology study. Includes vocabulary, comprehension, and speaking tasks for B2/C1 conversational ESL class.

Stuck Together: Divorce in the Philippines (Upper-Intermediate)

Explore divorce & marriage law in the Philippines with this B2/C1 lesson featuring video, vocabulary, comprehension, and roleplay activities.

Incel Attitudes & Beliefs (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan)

A lesson on incel culture and attitudes, including vocabulary, reading, roleplays, and speaking activities based on an academic study (B2/C1)

Foreign Accent Syndrome (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on accents and Foreign Accent Syndrome including vocabulary, pronunciation, and speaking activities for conversational class (B2/C1).

Ms. Rachel vs. Israel (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on Ms. Rachel's campaign to help children in Gaza facing Israel's war crimes. Includes speaking tasks and vocabulary activities.

Colonialism & Truth Telling (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on the harms of colonialism and the push for reconciliation. Includes speaking tasks and vocabulary-building activities

Daryl Davis & The KKK (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A powerful lesson on empathy, racism, and dialogue based on Daryl Davis's story. Includes vocabulary, role-plays, discussion (B2/C1 ESL).

Bouchard on Nature vs. Nurture (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on nature vs nurture, Bouchard’s twin study, & a reunion of twins. Includes vocabulary, discussion, and comprehension tasks (B2/C1).

The Life of Pope Francis (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

An advanced lesson on the life of Pope Francis, including debates, roleplays, and vocabulary activities for B2/C1 conversation class.

Chinese Luxury Goods on TikTok (Upper-Intermediate)

A lesson on counterfeit luxury goods, TikTok marketing, and consumer trust. Includes video, vocabulary, and speaking activities (B2/C1 ESL).

Siffre’s Cave Experiments (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on Michel Siffre’s isolation experiment and the science of time perception. Includes vocabulary and speaking tasks for B2/C1 ESL.