Natural resources: a blessing for some, a curse for others

This ESL worksheet explores the resource curse and examines how natural resources can drive economic growth in some countries while contributing to corruption, inequality, conflict, and economic instability in others. Designed for B2-level learners, it is ideal for both General and Business English lessons, lessons on economics, global issues, politics, sustainable development, and natural resources. Students develop key vocabulary while discussing real-world examples from around the world. Other lessons you might like are “Emerging markets“.

Speaking: Lead-in and Discussion

The lesson begins with a discussion about different types of natural resources and their importance to national economies. Students talk about the natural resources found in their own countries, consider which resources are the most valuable today, and discuss whether discovering large reserves of oil or minerals would necessarily make a country wealthier. They compare the importance of natural resources with factors such as education, innovation, technology, good governance, and strong institutions, before debating whether countries should export raw materials or produce finished goods.

Vocabulary: The Resource Curse and Economic Development

Students learn and practise essential vocabulary connected with economics and development, including economic growth, governance, corruption, inequality, dependency, diversification, revenue stream, burden, mitigate, rebalance, weaken, struggle, and flood. Matching, sentence-completion, and paraphrasing activities help learners understand and confidently use these expressions in context before applying them in personalised speaking tasks.

Listening: The Resource Curse

Students watch the video “Roundtable: Natural Resource Curse“ and complete summary, note-taking, and gap-fill activities. The listening examines why countries rich in oil, gas, minerals, or other natural resources sometimes experience slower economic development, weaker institutions, corruption, and political instability. Learners explore how countries like Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela have managed—or struggled to manage—their natural wealth.

Speaking: Country Case Studies

In the final communicative tasks, students discuss the economic and political situations of resource-rich countries, including Venezuela, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Sierra Leone, Iraq, and Papua New Guinea. They share what they know about each country, consider the impact of dependence on natural resources, and discuss issues such as conflict, inequality, healthcare, education, and migration. For homework, learners research one country in greater depth and present a short case study on its economy, political system, and reliance on natural resources.

For more speaking practice, you can use the printable conversation cards.