Explore our lesson plans
Standard Lesson 60 min
Why poetry still matters
GeneralIn this lesson about poetry, students have a chance to talk about different aspects of this form of literature. Students discuss many questions, watch a video, and read and analyse some poems.
Standard Lesson 60 min
We get on really well!
GeneralIn this lesson about family and relationships, students talk about family members, friends, and other people close to them. They also watch a video and practise some conjunctions used to give reasons.
Standard Lesson 60 min
What makes a good listener?
GeneralIn this lesson students watch a video, talk about being a good communicator and practise their listening skills.
Standard Lesson 60 min
Does protest always lead to change?
Global IssuesThis lesson includes a lot of speaking practice. Students watch a video about what makes a protest successful and analyse some strategies.
Standard Lesson 60 min
Earth is our only shareholder
Business Global IssuesIn this lesson, students learn and practise using compound adjectives. They also discuss corporate misconduct and watch a video about a founder who gave his company away to fight climate change.
Standard Lesson 60 min
We train just as hard!
Global Issues GrammarIn this lesson about sport, students compare different sports and learn and practise how to use the as… as grammar structure. They also watch a video and discuss statistics on male and female sport.
Standard Lesson 75 min
It’s time to make a difference!
GeneralIn this lesson, students watch a video about active citizens, practise reading skills and prepare a project.
Standard Lesson 60 min
Save the ocean, save yourself
Global IssuesIn this A2 lesson about the environment, students watch a video about five tips on how to save the ocean, learn some vocabulary related to the environment and do several speaking tasks.
Standard Lesson 60 min
Cultural appropriation
General Global IssuesIn this lesson, students watch a video about cultural appropriation in fashion and learn some vocabulary. The lesson also includes lots of speaking activities for advanced students.
Standard Lesson 60 min
Stay interested, stay motivated – first lesson with new students
GeneralThis ESL worksheet can be used in the first lesson with new students. In the lesson, students discuss their interests, watch a video about motivation, and do vocabulary and grammar tasks.
Standard Lesson 60 min
Life is better outdoors!
GeneralIn this lesson, students watch a video about Taiwan and practise vocabulary related to nature and free time activities.
Standard Lesson 60 min
Put a ring on it
GeneralIn this lesson, students learn idioms and phrasal verbs with put. They also practise working out the meaning from context, and have an opportunity to use the new language in speaking activities.
Standard Lesson 75 min
Sharpen your critical thinking (CAE Speaking Part 3)
General GrammarWith this lesson plan, students evaluate the validity of arguments using the information from a video about logical fallacies. They also practise conjunctions and do a Cambridge CAE Speaking Part 3 activity.
Standard Lesson 60 min
Advanced vocabulary activities
GeneralThis is a set of ESL vocabulary activities rather than a typical ESL Brains lesson plan. Each of the activities can be used separately as a time filler, a warm-up, etc.
Standard Lesson 60 min
How many pints in a litre?
GeneralIn this lesson students practise talking about measurements in English and watch a video about some issues caused by the differences between the metric and non-metric systems. They also discuss problems that people face because of these differences.
Standard Lesson 90 min
Families – extended, nuclear, chosen
Global Issues LifestyleIn this advanced speaking lesson students will practise some vocabulary and watch a video about the history of the nuclear family. They will also discuss some statistics and talk about the changing family model.
Standard Lesson 75 min
Has cancel culture gone too far?
Global IssuesIn this lesson students learn vocabulary useful to talk about cancel culture, do a CAE multiple-choice cloze task, watch a video, and get the opportunity to discuss cancel culture and freedom of speech in depth.
Standard Lesson 60 min
Waste less (First Conditional)
Global IssuesIn this lesson students practise the use of First Conditional, watch a video about grocery shopping and discuss how we can waste less.