A fully automated world

Title separator

Talking about technology

animated video for English classes

LESSON OVERVIEW

In this lesson about technology, students watch an animated video about a fully automated world and learn some vocabulary to talk about technological progress.

B1 / Intermediate60 minStandard LessonPremium Plan

VOCABULARY & DISCUSSION

The lesson starts with a warm-up in which students discuss whether they agree with a quote about machines. Then, students read eight facts about technological progress, including the number of mental health apps, the number of people addicted to social media, and the number of Americans who think that self-driving cars will never be reliable enough. Students need to choose the correct meaning of some highlighted words (e.g. automated, digital, reliable, addicted). They also have to say which of the eight facts they find the most surprising or shocking. Students will need the words to talk about the animated video in the second part of the lesson. Finally, students use the words from the previous exercise to complete gaps in a list of eight advantages and disadvantages of technology. They include technology at work and in private life. Students also need to say which advantages or disadvantages they disagree with and why

ANIMATED VIDEO & SPEAKING

Before watching the video, students look at the title and discuss what the story might be about. After the first viewing, they retell the story using four sentence beginnings (e.g. The world in the video…, Because of the technology in the video, people…). During the second viewing of the animated video, students answer two questions. After the video, students need to say what they think about the ideas presented there. They also discuss the future of automation and how they feel about it. Finally, they have some speaking practice. Their task is to look at a list of technologies from the video (e.g. smart mirror, driverless cars, medical robot) and talk about one of them. There are some questions to which students can use as a guide to speaking.

WORKSHEETS

 

Comments

Title separator

Leave a Reply

  1. Bell

    Should spark some an interesting discussion. Thanks!

    1. Iulia

      Thank you! 🙂
      We’d be glad to hear your feedback after you use this plan, too.

      1. Bell

        It worked really well. The video is great!

  2. Share Teachers

    This class is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing with us! <3

    1. Iulia

      Hi,
      Thank you! Your appreciation means a lot to us.

  3. Sebastian Shead

    Hi, on slide 26 it says “Catbot 2.0” – Is this some kind of AI cat or should it read chatbot 2.0?

    1. Iulia

      Hi, Sebastian 🙂
      Thanks for asking.
      It’s Catbot 2.0. This is a robotic cat.

  4. [email protected]

    For which grade level can this lesson be used?

    1. Justa

      It should be used with B1 (intermediate) students.

Browse other materials recommended for you

Title separator
speaking lesson on posting online
B1 / Intermediate | B2 / Upper Intermediate
Speaking Class 45 min / 60 min

Think before you post

Global Issues Technology

Discuss the impact of posting videos online! Students talk about online content, privacy and consent. They watch a video segment about rules on filming in public and do a vocabulary task to practise useful phrases.

talking about translation
A2 / Pre‐Intermediate | B1 / Intermediate
Standard Lesson 60 min

Translation and tech

Technology

Engage in talking about translation with this lesson! Students practise phrases for discussing translation tools, watch a video about real-time translation on ChatGPT and read a text about a modern type of translation.

ESL lesson on farming
B1 / Intermediate | B2 / Upper Intermediate
Standard Lesson 60 min

Smart farming

Global Issues Technology

Discuss modern agriculture with this ESL lesson on farming! Students share their perspectives, watch a video excerpt on farming technology and review farming vocabulary.

ESL lesson on UI and UX
B1 / Intermediate
Vocabulary Lab 45 min / 60 min

How user-friendly is this app?

Technology

Learn UI/UX elements with this worksheet. Students practise vocabulary for website and app elements, follow instructions to perform actions on a website or app and discuss annoying UI/UX situations.

B1 / Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 45 min

Video calling

Business Technology

Get students talking about video calls with this Critical Reading Club lesson! They read an article about Skype shutting down, review vocabulary for videoconference issues and share opinions and experiences.

ESL lesson on the first conditional
B1 / Intermediate | B2 / Upper Intermediate
Standard Lesson 60 min

Driverless buses (First Conditional)

Grammar Technology

Students discuss driverless buses in this ESL lesson on the first conditional. They watch a video about autonomous buses, share opinions and practise different First Conditional structures. 

discussing AI chatbots
B1 / Intermediate
Standard Lesson 60 min

AI chatbot ready to help

Technology

Engage in discussing AI chatbots with this lesson! Students practise useful vocabulary, watch a video on what AI chatbots are and talk about their experiences. They also share opinions and write chatbot replies.

discussing social media
B1 / Intermediate | B2 / Upper Intermediate
Standard Lesson 60 min

How social media content affects us

Technology

Engage students in discussing social media! With this lesson, they practise vocabulary related to social networks, watch a video about a viral TikTok moment and talk about social media habits. Students also read and discuss social media stories.

ESL lesson on giving instructions
A2 / Pre‐Intermediate | B1 / Intermediate
Standard Lesson 60 min

Clicking the right button (giving instructions)

Technology

Teach students to give instructions with this lesson! Students discuss their experience with technology, watch a video with instructions and practise email collocations. They also learn interface vocabulary and screen position phrases. 

Show more lessons

Questions

Title separator

Is there a minimum subscription period if I choose a monthly subscription?

No, there's no minimum required number of subscription months. You can cancel any time you want. Basically, you can sign up and then cancel your subscription the next day, which will mean you have access for 1 month and won't be charged again.

What currencies can I pay in for my subscription?

Our default currency is USD (American dollar), but you can also pay in EUR (euro), GBP (British pound sterling) or PLN (Polish zloty). You can change the currency you want to pay in at the Pricing page before selecting a subscription plan.

How can I edit an e-lesson plan?

You can get your own editable copy of an e-lesson plan and make changes to it. To do so, either (1) make a copy of it on your Google Drive (preferable method) or (2) download it in a Powerpoint format (but formatting might be a bit off so we can’t guarantee that it will work well).
Read more FAQ
Title separator

ESL Brains

Forgot password?
or continue with
Title separator
Title separator
Close icon
Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of ESL Brains access!
Gift of ESL Brains access