ESL lesson plans for teachers

Video-based lesson plans

Whether your lessons are online or in-person, The English Flows’ lesson plans are the ultimate time-saver for ESL teachers working with adult and Business English students. Cut down on prep work and free up your time for what truly matters – guiding, coaching, and meeting your students' unique needs. Our current and highly relatable topics will keep your students engaged before, during, and after the class. We add 7-8 new video-based ESL lesson plans each month. Ignite their curiosity and inspire them to explore the English language further!

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a photo of different employees and a slogan "what are the pros and cons of unions?"

Vocabulary: unions and labor rights
Video: Are labor unions good for the economy
Speaking: working conditions, workers’ rights, pros and cons of unions

3:30

a photo of the olympic medals and a slogan "the economics of the olympic games"

Vocabulary: hosting the Olympic Games (legacy, repurpose, go over budget, white elephant, underutilized)
Speaking: conversation questions, debate statements, talking about advantages and disadvantages, preparing a presentation
Vocabulary: describing buildings and neighborhoods (fall into disrepair, decrepit, gentrified, up-and-coming, bustling)

5:03

a phoro of a women spring olympic games competition and a slogan "which sports should be included in the olympics?"

Vocabulary: Olympic sports
Vocabulary: collocations (oversee a sport, conduct drug tests, file a petition, make a comeback, establish a precedent, dispontitue a sport)
Video: How are sports chosen for the Olympic games?

2:53

a photo of the American flaf and a slogan "celebrating fourth of july"

Vocabulary: Independence Day (speech, fireworks, flag, national anthem, colonies, empire, patriotism, revolution, freedom, parade)
Confusing words: story vs history
Speaking: history, Independence Day, patriotism

2:27

UPDATED

a stadium full of football fans who are cheering and a slogan - are you a football fan?

Functional language: talking about the team you support (I’m backing, I’m rooting for, I’m cheering for)
Vocabulary: measures against football hooliganism (ban, fine, zero-tolerance policy)
Video: “Football fan culture is changing but which type of supporter are you?”

6:10

blocks stacked on top of each other to write "FOMO", and a slogan "What are the best FOMO marketing tactics?"

Vocabulary: collocations (to entice the customer, to trigger FOMO, to create a sense of scarcity, impulse purchase, flash sale, free shipping)
Grammar: wishes and regrets
Video: Top 10 FOMO marketing tactics

3:16

a cruise ship and a slogan "inside the world's biggest cruise ship"

Vocabulary: cruise ships (e.g. cabin, deck, to embark, to disembark, galley, port of call)
Vocabulary: food on a cruise ship (stocks up ingredients, in stock, prep kitchens, all-you-can-eat, leftovers, food waste, buffet)
Video: “Inside the 24/7 operation to feed the world’s largest cruise ship”

5:52

a photo of cologne cathedral and a slogan "have you ever visited germany?2

Speaking: visiting Germany, comparing visiting Germany during Euro 2024 vs visiting on a regular day, travelling to Euro 2024 on a budget
Vocabulary: common adjective + noun  collocations (e.g. breathtaking views, trendy neighbourhood, vibrant nightlife, cosy café)
Video: Ultimate UEFA EURO 2024 Guide: Explore Germany’s host cities, culture, and cuisine!

7:30

a photo of a stadium and a slogan "are you giong to follow euro 2024?

Vocabulary: stadiums (pitch, stands, concession stands, gates, ticket office, box seat)
Vocabulary: stages of a tournament (group stage, knockout rounds, Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, Final)
Speaking: conversaiton questions, comparing different ways to watch a football game

3:23

a person actively listening to another, and a slogan "how to become a better listener"

Vocabulary: barriers to listening (e.g. distraction, prejudice, information overload)
Confusing words: listen and hear
Expressions: expressions with listen and hear (never hear the end of it, listen with only hald an ear, hear me out, listen to reason)

5:06

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Every lesson plan includes

Pre-class online activities
(Free)

In-class activities
(For Full members)

After class: Additional resources
(Free)

Each video-based ESL lesson plan features:

  • Online Pre-class Activities: Perfect for teachers who wish to embrace the modern blended learning approach. The pre-class activities are FREE for all video-based ESL lesson plans and can be completed without registration. By providing students with resources and engagement opportunities before the actual class session, educators can foster active participation, enhance comprehension, and optimise in-class discussions, promoting flexibility and a deeper, more interactive learning experience. On the other hand, if you choose not to assign the pre-class activities, or your students don’t complete them, it will not disturb the flow of the class.
  • Versatile In-Class Material: Each lesson includes 5-8 pages of in-class material created to explore the topic in-depth. The lessons encompass a diverse spectrum of current Business and General English topics. Whether you're exploring business trends or everyday conversational skills, our materials ensure that each subject is comprehensively covered, making the learning experience relevant and practical.
  • Engaging Video Content: Immerse your students in real-life language use through short YouTube videos, featuring content such as TED Talks, BBC Ideas, or news reports. These videos not only enhance listening and comprehension skills but also expose students to different accents, and a wide range of current, real-world topics and expert perspectives, making the learning experience more engaging and relevant.
  • Focus on communication: The English Flows’ lessons are all about communication. They're tailored to spark conversations and offer plenty of speaking opportunities. Additionally, each lesson includes a set of printable conversation cards, which teachers can use to revise target vocabulary, or turn the lesson into a conversation class.
  • Meaningful Homework Ideas: Each lesson suggests three research topics that encourage students to engage with authentic materials, fostering independent exploration and critical thinking skills after class. There are also links to additional resources (videos and articles), which can be found online and are FREE for all video-based lesson plans. These features aim to extend the learning experience, enabling students to connect classroom knowledge with real-world applications.

Try The English Flows’ video-based ESL lesson plans today and watch your students thrive!