Vocabulary and speaking
Overview
In this first advanced lesson in our unit on the environment, we will explore some of the issues and challenges facing humanity. Students will explore topics such as climate change, sustainability, and conservation, expanding their vocabulary and enhancing their ability to discuss these critical issues effectively. The session aims to broaden their speaking skills in a context that is increasingly relevant.
The lesson plan includes a suggested boardwork activity that highlights one way to open a discussion on this topic. Following this, students will participate in a series of low-resource classroom activities. These activities will involve collaborative speaking and grammar tasks where students will explore environmental issues in greater depth and debate the solutions.
Classroom activities
Use of the board
The students explore concepts related to the environment.
Add 3-5 critical environmental issues to the board and use questions to elicit relevant concepts and vocabulary. Add words that you feel are appropriate to the level. Use this sample board as a guide.

Environmentalist
The students work in pairs to discuss environmental topics at greater depth.

Compounding factors
A group speaking activity where the class discuss compound nouns related to the environment.

No easy way out
A pair-work speaking activity where students have to express and debate their own opinions on the topics.

Classroom games
ESL Pictionary: The environment
Players have to represent abstract concepts related to environmental issues on the board while their teammates guess what they are.

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750+ Low-prep classroom activity ideas
1100+ Printable ESL flashcards
180+ ESL lesson plans
8 Distinct language levels
Offline access through the TEFLHandbook app
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