Explore our lesson plans
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
Will Gen Zers make cash cool again?
LifestyleIn this lesson, students talk about generations and their approach to money, watch a video about Gen Zers and learn vocabulary related to the topic.
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
Our new friends and teachers
TechnologyIn this ESL lesson, students practise talking about technology. They also watch two videos about a robot companion for kids, learn vocabulary related to the topic, and write short comments about the video.
Standard Lesson 60 min
Visiting the art capital
LifestyleThis lesson plan is all about New York. Students will discuss some quotes about New York, watch a video about art in this city and learn adjectives to describe art.
Standard Lesson 60 min
There is a lot of work behind the scenes
LifestyleIn this lesson students talk about occupational stereotypes, learn phrases for saying something is not true, and watch a video about being an artist.
Standard Lesson 75 min
It’s so hot right now!
Business TechnologyIn this lesson students learn expressions to talk about trends and watch a video about one of new buzzwords, i.e. NFTs.
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 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
Unconventional business model
BusinessIn this lesson, students learn about furniture retailer IKEA and discuss its business model. Then, they come up with their own business idea for a shop.
Standard Lesson 75 min
The art of giving feedback
BusinessIn this lesson, students discover a formula to help them give great feedback and learn some useful phrases for giving and receiving feedback in English. They also watch a video about giving feedback and learn vocabulary related to it.
Standard Lesson 60 min
Rethinking your mindset
Business LifestyleWith this speaking lesson plan, students watch a video about growth and fixed mindsets and get plenty of opportunities to discuss them. They also learn some collocations referring to challenges and development, as well as practise word formation.
Standard Lesson 60 min
I wish I could but I don’t want to
GeneralIn this lesson students watch a video about strategies for saying ‘no’ in English and discover some useful phrases to say ‘no’ politely. They also put them into practice through a role-play.
Standard Lesson 45 min
Can you figure it out? ESL vocabulary puzzles
BusinessThis is a set of ESL vocabulary puzzles rather than a typical ESL Brains lesson plan. Each of the puzzles can be used separately as a time filler, a warm-up, etc.
Standard Lesson 60 min
What makes you laugh? (synonyms for laugh)
GeneralIn this lesson students study advanced synonyms for laugh, watch a video about laughter and discuss different aspects of laughter.
Standard Lesson 60 min
Will your future clothes be made like this?
Lifestyle TechnologyIn this lesson students practise their listening skills while watching a video about 3D printed clothes. They also work with advanced synonyms for make and discuss the implications of 3D printing technology.