Category Archives: Upper-Intermediate

Here is a list of upper-intermediate ESL lesson plans on a variety of topics for English conversation class. Note that 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.

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.

Financial Sextortion (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on financial sextortion, scams, & online safety. Includes video-based discussion, vocabulary, and speaking tasks for B2/C1 ESL class.

Asch’s Study on Conformity (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson based on Asch's 1950s experiment about conformity and individualism. The lesson has speaking activities for B2/C1 ESL.

The Could-Have-Been-Man (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson based on an interview with a regretful man. The lesson features speaking activities about loneliness and regret for B2/C1 ESL.

The Greatest Novels Ever Written (Upper-Intermediate)

A speaking-focused lesson for on the "greatest novels" ever, including Anna Karenina, The Great Gatsby, and To Kill a Mockingbird. (B2/C1)

Carl Jung on the Shadow (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on Carl Jung's concept of the shadow, an unconscious part of personality. The lesson was designed for upper-intermediate ESL class.

Did High School Prepare You For Life? (Upper-Intermediate)

A lesson on whether high school provides students the skills they need for success. Designed for B2/C1 ESL conversation class.

Suffering & Epicureanism (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson based on a BigThink video about Epicureanism, suffering, and happiness. The lesson has speaking activities for B2/C1 ESL class.

2024 Year in Review (Advanced Lesson Plan)

A lesson summarizing 12 major news stories from 2024. The lesson contains speaking and vocabulary building for B2/C1 ESL levels.

AITA: Am I the A**Hole? (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A B2/C1-level lesson on three stories from the AITA (r/AmItheAsshole) Subreddit. The lesson focuses on speaking and vocabulary building.

Finding Your Fashion Style (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson about developing your own fashion style with fashion-related speaking and vocabulary activities for B2/C1 ESL levels.

Johnny Somali Arrested in South Korea (Upper-Intermediate)

A lesson about a disrespectful influencer being arrested in his travels in South Korea. The video includes speaking activities for B2/C1 ESL.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on Maslow's hierarchy of needs that includes roleplays, vision-boarding, and speaking activities about future priorities (B2/C1 ESL)

Voting & Election Anxiety (Upper-Intermediate Level)

A lesson about voting and elections centered around an SNL skit about election anxiety in a politically divisive climate. Made for B2/C1 ESL.

Apartment Hunting & Renting (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on apartment features, rental scams, and giving an virtual tour of an open house designed for B2/C1 ESL conversation class.

Cosmetics, Branding, & Rare Beauty (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

An upper-intermediate lesson on Selena Gomez's makeup brand, Rare Beauty. The ESL lesson also focuses on cosmetics, marketing, and branding.

Motivation & Helplessness (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on learned helplessness, motivation, and education. The lesson features a short YouTube video and is designed for C1-level ESL class.

Third Man Syndrome (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan)

A lesson about third man syndrome, survival, and coping mechanisms, designed for B2/C1 conversational English class.

Class, Caste, & Social Equality (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

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

Talking about Art (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on talking about art at galleries. Students learn new vocabulary and practice discussing famous paintings, including abstract art.