Category Archives: Upper-Intermediate
Escaping Reality to Avoid Life (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)
ESL/EFL Level: Upper-Intermediate (B2/C1) Lesson Topics: Diversions, Escapism Skill Focus: Reading, Speaking, Vocabulary Approximate Class Time: 1.5 hours Lesson Plan Download: signs-escaping-reality-upper-intermediate-032024.docx Lesson Overview: After warm-up questions, students read a 241-word passage (based on this C2-level YouTube video) that describes six signs that people are avoiding reality. These signs describe ways that people dive into diversions […]
Friendship in the 21st Century (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)
A lesson on friendship, loneliness, and the friendship recession that includes speaking & vocabulary activities for B2/C1 ESL levels.
Neuralink Implants Brain Chip (Upper-Intermediate)
A video-based lesson on the successful implant of a brain chip into a human by Elon Musk’s company Neuralink for upper-intermediate ESL class.
Hedonism & The Experience Machine (Upper-Intermediate)
An upper-intermediate lesson on a TED-Ed video about Nozick’s Experience Machine. The speaking-focused lesson discusses hedonism and reality.
36 Days: A Lesson on Migration (Upper-Intermediate)
An lesson on the perilous journey of 101 African migrants who spent 36 days at sea. The lesson includes speaking activities for ESL class.
Five Stories to Watch in 2024 (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)
An upper-intermediate lesson on The Economist’s “5 Stories to Watch Out For in 2024”. Themes include an election in Taiwan, AI, & the BRICS.
What Tom Whitwell Learned in 2023 (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)
An upper-intermediate lesson on a post about what Tom Whitwell learned in 2023. Topics include homelessness, corruption, and body image.
2023 News in Review (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan)
An upper-intermediate (B2/C1) lesson on the top news stories of 2023. This lesson is designed for conversational ESL class.
Waitress Wins the Lottery (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)
An upper-intermediate conversational English lesson about how waitress Tonda Dickerson’s life changed after winning the lottery.
Arieh Smith’s Tips on Language Learning (Upper-Intermediate)
This lesson summarizes polyglot Ariel Smith’s approach to language acquisition. It contains reading, vocabulary, and speaking activities.
The Argument Against University (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)
A lesson on the arguments against getting a college/university degree. Speaking, vocabulary, and listening activities are included.
Sam Harris on Free Will (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan)
An upper-intermediate lesson on Sam Harris’s view on free will. Includes speaking roleplays, debates, & vocabulary activities for ESL class.
Streaming Wars: The New Age of Entertainment (Upper-Intermediate)
An upper-intermediate lesson on streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney+, etc.) and the battle for attention spans. Includes speaking activities
Passive Income (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)
An upper-intermediate lesson on passive income strategies and making money. The lesson includes speaking, listening, & vocabulary activities.
Atheism & Religion: The Nones (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)
An upper-intermediate (B2/C1) lesson based on AP’s “The Nones” report on atheism worldwide. It contains speaking & reading ESL activities.
Four Secrets from Sports Psychology (Upper-Intermediate)
An upper-intermediate lesson based on a short video about secrets from sports psychology that people can use in everyday life. (B2/C1 ESL)
The History of Halloween (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)
A lesson on a short video about the history of Halloween which includes a debate, role-plays, and vocabulary activities for B2/C1 ESL levels.
Mystery Travel Destinations (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)
Explore the world with this upper-intermediate (B2) lesson focused on travel & destinations. Includes vocabulary and speaking activities.
The Milestones of Life (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)
Teachers, use this lesson on life’s milestones with upper-intermediate (B2) ESL students. It includes speaking activities, reading, & idioms.
Future Cities, NEOM, & The Line (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)
This lesson is about future cities and Saudi Arabia’s Neom & The Line projects. The lesson contains a reading and short video. (B2/C1 Level)
Unsolved Crimes (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)
A lesson on the 300-million-yen robbery in Tokyo and D.B. Cooper’s infamous airplane hijacking. Includes debates and roleplays for EFL class.