Building confidence

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Vocabulary - self-esteem

ESL lesson on confidence

LESSON OVERVIEW

The main objectives of this ESL lesson on confidence are to:

  • discuss gaining confidence and handling setbacks;
  • practise collocations related to self-esteem and challenges;
  • watch a video with tips to feel more confident.

With this lesson, students talk about confidence and insecurities. They work with collocations for dealing with challenges and building self-worth (e.g. be rejected, boost self-esteem, embrace), discuss strategies for strengthening self-esteem and watch a video with tips to boost confidence. Students also discuss which behaviours to recommend to a friend in different situations.

B2 / Upper Intermediate60 minStandard LessonUnlimited Plan

WARM-UP AND COLLOCATIONS

This ESL lesson on confidence starts with a warm-up. Students discuss questions on confidence and insecurity. Afterwards, they choose the correct word (e.g. embracing, rejected, worthwhile) to complete sentences about building self-confidence and overcoming insecurities. Then, students look at the opinions from the previous task (e.g. Some people hesitate to share their views because they’re afraid of being rejected.) and think of an example supporting or challenging each of them. After that, they complete words with missing letters (e.g. self-esteem, setback, persevere) in questions about building confidence and self-esteem. Students then discuss the questions

VIDEO AND DISCUSSION

In this part of the ESL lesson on confidence, students watch the first part of a video with tips to boost confidence and list the three factors that impact it. Following that, they watch the rest of the video and discuss questions about building confidence and overcoming setbacks. Then, students talk about self-esteem, confidence and the tips from the video. Afterwards, they read pairs of different behaviours (e.g. fake confidence OR be honest about your insecurities) and choose one option. Students talk about situations where they would recommend that a friend behave that way.

HOMEWORK/REVISION

This lesson plan also includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. In the task, students choose situations and comment on them. They use the target collocations from the lesson. The task is available in the teacher’s version of the worksheet. You can print it and hand it out to your students. It’s also included in the e-lesson plan.

WORKSHEETS

Comments

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Leave a Reply

  1. Rafal

    Hi. great topic, although the use of “persevere with” is not representative of the word’s contextual use.

    1. Mariia

      Thank you for your feedback! I’m glad you liked the topic. I understand your point that ‘persevere with’ is not typically used in this way. However, I chose to use this phrase because it can still convey the idea of persistence and continuing despite challenges. I appreciate your insight and will keep it in mind for future lessons.

  2. RENEE CRAIG

    One of the most incredible lessons ever! My students loved it! Thanks so much!

    1. Mariia

      Wow, thank you 😊 That truly made my day. I’m happy to hear your students enjoyed it!

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