Debate and discussion

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Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Advanced+/C1
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Relationships
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
45-60 min
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Low-Resource
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Overview

In this third advanced-level lesson on relationships, the spotlight will be on friendship. Students will explore what they think constitutes a good friendship and the attributes they look for in a friend. This lesson aims to enhance their ability to express their thoughts and experiences related to this vital aspect of human connection.

The lesson plan starts with a boardwork activity to set up a discussion that explores the concept of friendship. Students will then participate in several low-resource classroom activities where they will discuss the important characteristics of a good friend and debate some controversial statements related to the broader topic of relationships. As usual, we wrap things up with a fun group game, this time inspired by a classic UK game show.

Lesson Outline

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Classroom activities

Low-resource ESL lesson plan

Use of the board

We use a couple of proverbs to kick off a discussion on friendship.

Start by adding the proverbs to the top and bottom of the board and having a short discussion on them:

  1. What is a proverb? - A short, well-known saying, stating a general truth or piece of advice.
  2. What do these statements say about friendship?
  3. Is it easy for friends to always be honest with each other?
  4. How should we deal with people that we deem as 'enemies'?

After that, divide the class into pairs and tell them to brainstorm positive and negative characteristics of friends.

Give them a few minutes to complete this before having a group discussion and adding the best vocabulary to the board. Use the examples here as a guide.

Low-resource ESL lesson plan
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Low-resource ESL activity

You've got a friend in me

For this follow-on speaking activity, the students have to create a prioritised list of friendship characteristics.

Low-resource ESL lesson plan
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Low-resource ESL activity

Class debate

The students will debate some controversial statements related to relationships.

Low-resource ESL lesson plan
This lesson plan is exclusive to TEFLHandbook members. Join today and get instant access to our expanding library of teaching resources.

Classroom games

Low-resource ESL activity

Family fortunes: Marriage

An adapted version of a classic UK game show that can be played in the classroom.

Low-resource ESL lesson plan
This lesson plan is exclusive to TEFLHandbook members. Join today and get instant access to our expanding library of teaching resources.