B2 / Upper Intermediate | C1 / Advanced
Critical Reading Club 45 min

Can we trust this study?

Global Issues

Discuss the reliability of research with this lesson! Students read an article debunking Blue Zones studies, practise vocabulary for talking about studies and explore ways to run research. 

C2 / Proficiency
Critical Reading Club 45 min

When questions go too far

Lifestyle

In this CRC lesson, students talk about sensitive topics and personal boundaries. They practise phrases for deflecting uncomfortable questions, review strategies and practise deflecting questions they are unwilling to answer.

C1 / Advanced
Critical Reading Club 45 min

Rethinking fairy tales

General

Read and discuss an article about the influence of fairy tales! Students explore phrases inspired by fairy tales, debate their pros and cons for children and talk about their experiences. They also create a plot for a modern fairy tale.

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.

C2 / Proficiency
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Have you had work done?

Lifestyle

Students discuss an article on cosmetic procedures. They talk about beauty standards, personal care and social pressures. Students also review useful words and phrases and share their opinions.

B2 / Upper Intermediate | C1 / Advanced
Critical Reading Club 45 min

Image-based reality

Global Issues Technology

Talk about the power of online images! With this lesson, students read an article about how online images shape the way we think and revise vocabulary. They also talk about bias in online images and AI-generated content.

B1 / Intermediate | B2 / Upper Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 45 min

Starting your own business

Business

Encourage students to read an article about starting a business! They practise business-related vocabulary, discuss the pros and cons of owning a business and share their perspectives.

C2 / Proficiency
Critical Reading Club 45 min

The cost of convenience

Lifestyle Technology

Engage students in reading an article about the impact of modern tech convenience! They discuss how technology affects everyday life, practise advanced adverbs and share their experiences.

B1 / Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 45 min

Office software

Business Technology

Talk about office software with this Critical Reading Club lesson! Students discuss office software and work tasks, practise useful collocations and share their experiences. They also talk about their preferences for workplace software.

B2 / Upper Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 45 min

Protecting your accounts from cyberfraud

Technology

Students read an article about how to protect bank accounts from hackers! They practise collocations related to online security, discuss cybersecurity tips and talk about their experiences.

C1 / Advanced
Critical Reading Club 45 min

Decluttering: a tedious task or a healthy habit?

Lifestyle

Encourage students to read an article on decluttering! Students discuss consumption habits, practise vocabulary related to decluttering and talk about their homes. They also share their experiences of consumption and decluttering.

C2 / Proficiency
Critical Reading Club 45 min

Would you tell AI your secrets?

General Technology

Talk about a self-empowerment app with this Critical Reading Club lesson! Students discuss voice messaging, talk about the use of AI as a source of mental support and share their opinion on an app.

B1 / Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Let’s pick you a career!

Business General

Discuss career paths with this lesson! Students read an article about choosing a career path, practise phrases to discuss the topic and role-play offering and responding to career suggestions. They also talk about personal interests, skills, and job preferences.

C2 / Proficiency
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Is PR a dying industry?

Business

With this lesson, students talk about changes in the public relations industry over recent years. They discuss an article, analyse comments, and practise agreeing and disagreeing. They look at statistics, correct mistakes, and discuss questions.

B2 / Upper Intermediate | C1 / Advanced
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Cleaning up the space mess

Global Issues Technology

Talk about space junk with this lesson! Students read and discuss an article about space debris, learn useful phrases and practise argumentative skills by doing a role-play activity. Students also discuss facts and opinions on space debris.

B1 / Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Real-life superheroes

Global Issues

Students discuss an article about real-life superheroes with this lesson! They talk about differing opinions on the idea, think about acts of kindness, and learn vocabulary. They consider different real-life superhero activities and look at real examples.

C1 / Advanced
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Gen Z’s penchant for sad music

General Lifestyle

Students read and discuss an article about Gen Z’s preference for sad music and learn vocabulary for describing sad music and listener behaviour. They also talk about changes in music trends, analyse comments, and share opinions on the topic.

B1 / Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Ordering groceries online

Lifestyle

With this lesson plan about shopping, students discuss the pros and cons of ordering groceries online! They discuss consumer preferences and look at some niche online grocery stores. They do a ‘this or that’ exercise and learn useful vocabulary.

B2 / Upper Intermediate | C1 / Advanced
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Mockumentaries and other comedy series

General

With this lesson, students discuss mockumentaries like The Office! They also explore other comedy series and learn some descriptive vocabulary. They discuss opinions on famous comedy series and look at proposals for other potential programmes.

C1 / Advanced | C2 / Proficiency
Critical Reading Club 30 min

Therapy speak

General

Engage students in reading an article about therapy speak! In this lesson, they talk about therapy, discuss the pros and cons of therapy speak and discuss changing perspectives on mental health.

B2 / Upper Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Rule of three: third spaces

Lifestyle

Encourage students to read a fun article about third spaces! Students will also consider different types of third spaces, discuss questions, take a quiz and practise vocabulary.

B1 / Intermediate | B2 / Upper Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

A ban on cigarettes

Global Issues

With this lesson, students talk about bans and prohibitions. After reading an article, they discuss smoking and vaping. They also talk about trends and practise using adjectives.

C1 / Advanced
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

It’s a one-way street! Parasocial relationships

Lifestyle Technology

With this engaging lesson, students read an article, discuss parasocial relationships and talk about fandom. They also share their experiences, learn vocabulary to talk about the topic and give their opinions on fans and fandoms.

B2 / Upper Intermediate | C1 / Advanced
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

The golden age of podcasting

Business

Explore the fascinating field of technology and podcasts with this lesson! After reading an article, students discuss the use of AI in podcasts, practise vocabulary to talk about the topic and discuss their ideas if they launched a 100% AI-generated podcast.

B1 / Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 30 min

Coffee time!

Lifestyle

Discuss weirdly interesting cafés around the world with this lesson! After reading an article, students practise vocabulary related to coffee and cafés, talk about their personal experiences and preferences, and analyse the establishments from the piece they read.

C1 / Advanced
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Climate change narratives

Global Issues

Engage students in important discussions about climate change with this lesson! After reading an article, they review key vocabulary, analyze different narratives and explore concepts such as climate justice, climate anxiety, and climate fatigue.

B2 / Upper Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 30 min

How smart should home appliances be

Lifestyle Technology

Engage students in a conversation about the advantages and disadvantages of smart appliances! With this lesson, students will also reinforce essential vocabulary such as adjectives and collocations to discuss the topic.

B1 / Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Why are podcasts so popular?

General

Students will discover the dynamic world of podcasts in this engaging lesson that explores genres of podcasts, enhances vocabulary, and sparks lively discussions!

B2 / Upper Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Would you allow yourself to be bored?

General

Is boredom always a bad thing? Or can it sometimes be good for us? Challenge your students to an unusual discussion based on an intriguing article!

B1 / Intermediate | B2 / Upper Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Are you ever too young for greatness?

General

Let your students explore the topic of talent, age, and employment. Discuss the pros and cons of different ages, the concept of prodigies, and people who achieved fame during childhood.

C1 / Advanced | C2 / Proficiency
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

Adaptability and other must-have traits

Business

In this lesson, students discuss the article they read at home about adaptability as a must-have trait. They work with some vocabulary and discuss other traits necessary for business. 

B2 / Upper Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

If humans suddenly vanished…

Global Issues

In this CRC lesson, students read an article about what would happen if humans disappeared, learn new vocabulary, talk about hypothetical situations, and brainstorm more ideas.

B1 / Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

How useful is networking?

Business

In this CRC lesson, students talk about professional networking, discuss networking tips, as well as learn and practise vocabulary related to the topic.

C1 / Advanced | C2 / Proficiency
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

The intangible benefits of travelling

Lifestyle

In this lesson students talk about the article they read at home, learn some vocabulary and talk about different ways of travelling and their benefits. 

B2 / Upper Intermediate | C1 / Advanced
Critical Reading Club 30 min / 45 min

On the lookout for the ultimate productivity app

Business

In this CRC lesson, students read an article about productivity apps, express their opinions on the matter and share their experiences.

B1 / Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 30 min

Breaking records

General

In this lesson, students discuss an article about an unusual Guinness World Record, talk about breaking records and learn some collocations.

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