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

Browse our collection of upper-intermediate speaking-focused ESL lesson plans for conversation classes at the B2/C1 level. These lessons include video or reading inputs, vocabulary practice, and communicative 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 learners.

If you’d prefer to browse by subject, view our topic list.

The Chinese Farmer & The Useless Tree (Upper-Intermediate)

Two Taoist parables, the Chinese Farmer and the Useless Tree, with vocabulary, discussion questions, and speaking activities. (B2/C1 ESL)

The Grizzly Man (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan)

A B2/C1 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 (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on child trafficking and a father's search for his son in China. Includes vocabulary and speaking activities (B2/C1 ESL).

Passport Bros (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

An upper-intermediate lesson on passport bros: dating culture, gender relations, & economic inequality. Includes speaking activities. (B2/C1)

The Wisdom of African Proverbs (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

An upper-intermediate lesson on African proverbs. Includes a proverb discussion game, and other vocabulary and speaking activities (B2/C1).

Top Travel Destinations for 2026 (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

An B2/C1 lesson on 2026 travel destinations: Almaty, Vienna, Corsica, Penang, & San Francisco. Includes vocabulary & speaking activities.

What is Going to High School Like? (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

What is high school like? A lesson for teenagers based on a student interview from Australia. 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 (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

An upper-intermediate lesson on "looksmaxxing" and male beauty featuring a reading passage, video, and speaking activities (B2/C1 ESL).

Afroman & The Streisand Effect (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A lesson on the Afroman trial, exploring free speech and the Streisand Effect. Includes vocabulary and speaking activities (B2/C1 ESL).

Predictive Markets & Event Betting (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

A B2/C1 lesson on Polymarket, a prediction market where users bet on events. Includes vocabulary, discussion, and speaking activities.

The Highest Levels of Human Performance (Upper-Intermediate)

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

Eric Dane’s Final Message (Upper-Int/Advanced Lesson)

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

“The Employment” Short Film & Worker Alienation (Upper-Intermediate)

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

The Overton Window (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan)

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

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

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

When Ordering Food Gets Complicated (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

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

2025 Year in Review (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan)

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

The Westboro Baptist Church (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan)

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

Lifeboat Ethics (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan)

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

Sniper Tourists (Upper-Intermediate Lesson on Dark Tourism)

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