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.

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.

Habitus & Social Mobility (Upper-Intermediate)

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

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