Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plans for Conversation Class (B2/C1)

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 Highest Levels of Human Performance (Upper-Intermediate) March 3, 2026

A lesson on new research that challenges early specialization as the path to success. Contains vocabulary and discussion activities (B2/C1)

Tags: Education, Parenting

Eric Dane’s Final Message (Upper-Int/Advanced Lesson) February 25, 2026

A C1 ESL lesson on resilience and purpose using Eric Dane’s final message. Features vocabulary, comprehension, and speaking activities.

Tags: Death, Love, Philosophy, Video-based

“The Employment” Short Film & Worker Alienation (Upper-Intermediate) February 7, 2026

A B2/C1 ESL lesson based on the short film The Employment, exploring work, alienation, hierarchy, and meaning through discussion and roleplay.

Tags: Capitalism, Philosophy, Video-based, Work Life Balance

The Overton Window (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan) January 30, 2026

A B2/C1 ESL lesson on the Overton Window with vocabulary, listening, and speaking activities exploring public acceptability and politics.

Tags: Politics, Video-based

“Join ICE” Song by Jesse Welles (Worksheet & Upper-Intermediate Lesson) January 13, 2026

A worksheet and speaking lesson on Jesse Welles’ “Join ICE” song with listening, vocabulary, and speaking activities for B2/C1 ESL class.

Tags: Immigration, Music, The United States

When Ordering Food Gets Complicated (Upper-Intermediate Lesson) January 10, 2026

A B2/C1 ESL lesson on dining out, ordering food, and awkward restaurant situations, with vocabulary, roleplays, and speaking activities.

Tags: Cooking, Customer service, Restaurants, Video-based

2025 Year in Review (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan) January 1, 2026

Explore the most impactful global events of 2025 in this B2/C1 ESL lesson, featuring news-based vocabulary, debates, and speaking tasks.

Tags: 2025 News Review

The Westboro Baptist Church (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan) December 23, 2025

A B2/C2 ESL lesson exploring belief, persuasion, and social media through the story of a former Westboro Baptist Church member.

Tags: Hate Speech, Protests, Religion, Video-based

Lifeboat Ethics (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan) November 23, 2025

A lesson on a lifeboat ethics case and moral decision-making, featuring vocabulary, speaking, and grammar activities for B2–C1 ESL learners.

Tags: Philosophy, Survival, Video-based

Sniper Tourists (Upper-Intermediate Lesson on Dark Tourism) November 17, 2025

An upper-intermediate lesson on the Bosnian War and sniper tourism featuring vocabulary, reading, and debate activities on dark tourism.

Tags: Crime & Punishment, Dark Tourism, Hunting, Italy, Travel

Habitus & Social Mobility (Upper-Intermediate) November 12, 2025

A B2/C1 lesson on social class and habitus, featuring video, vocabulary, and role-plays on culture, inequality, and social mobility.

Tags: Education, Social Equality, Sociology, Video-based

The Teenage Brothers Tracking ICE (Upper-Intermediate) November 1, 2025

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

Tags: Crime & Punishment, Immigration, Police, The United States, Video-based

Gambling, Pain, & Addiction (Upper-Intermediate Lesson) October 26, 2025

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

Tags: Addiction, Gambling, Homelessness, Social Media, Video-based

Heist at the Louvre (Upper-Intermediate Lesson on Crime & Theft) October 20, 2025

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

Tags: Art, Crime & Punishment, Video-based

Dating Then and Now (Upper-Intermediate Lesson) October 6, 2025

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

Tags: Dating, Love, Video-based

Rent a Friend in Japan (Upper-Intermediate Lesson) September 25, 2025

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

Tags: Friendship, Japan, Video-based

Free Speech & Political Polarization (Upper-Intermediate) September 10, 2025

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

Tags: Political Correctness, Politics, Social Media, Top-rated, Video-based

Real-Life Superhero Phoenix Jones (Upper-Intermediate Lesson) September 1, 2025

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

Tags: Crime & Punishment, Movies, Top-rated, Video-based

Millionaire’s Last Hunt (Upper-Intermediate Lesson) August 18, 2025

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

Tags: Africa, Hunting, Video-based

Ten Minutes to Live (Upper-Intermediate Lesson) August 4, 2025

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

Tags: Philosophy, Regrets, Video-based

The Eras of Architecture (Upper-Intermediate Lesson) July 27, 2025

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

Tags: Architecture, Art, Video-based