The great outdoors: Camping vs glamping

This B1-B2 ESL lesson is dedicated to the topic of camping vs. glamping. Students learn practical vocabulary related to outdoor activities, camping equipment, survival skills, and glamping amenities. They compare different ways of enjoying nature, watch a short video about glamping, and discuss travel preferences, outdoor experiences, and the challenges of spending time in nature. Other lessons you might find interesting are “Unusual hotels“, “Ecotourism“, and “The benefits of being in nature“.

Speaking

The lesson begins with a lead-in activity in which students discuss their experiences with nature, outdoor activities, and vacations. They talk about their favorite natural places, consider whether people spend enough time outdoors, and rank different camping and glamping features (e.g. Wi-Fi, campfires, wildlife, hot showers, comfortable beds) according to their importance. Students also brainstorm what they would need for a camping trip and what they would expect to find at a glamping site.

Vocabulary

Students learn and practice vocabulary related to camping equipment and glamping amenities, including items such as sleeping bag, camp stove, compass, headlamp, camping mat, hot tub, patio, and mini-fridge. They read a dialogue comparing camping and glamping and learn useful expressions such as rough it, amenities, resilience, get out of my comfort zone, Instagrammable, find your way, and light pollution. Students then complete matching and gap-fill activities before discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each type of vacation.

The lesson also introduces common camping skills, such as pitch a tent, build a campfire, forage for food, read a map, carry supplies, and stay safe around wildlife. Students personalize the vocabulary by discussing which skills they already have and which they would like to learn.

Grammar and Speaking

Students learn a range of language for expressing contrast and similarities, including structures such as whereas, while, unlike, in contrast to, both, similarly, and like. They use these expressions to compare camping and glamping in terms of comfort, cost, connection to nature, environmental impact, and accessibility before sharing their own opinions in guided speaking activities.

Listening

Students watch a video titled “What Is Glamping?” and complete several listening comprehension tasks. They answer questions about the origins and popularity of glamping, identify different types of glamping accommodations, and take notes about typical glampers and their preferences. The lesson finishes with a post-listening discussion about the future of glamping and students’ ideal outdoor vacations.

Speaking

Students practice useful expressions for discussing preferences and reacting to difficult situations. They use this language to discuss problems that can ruin a camping or glamping trip, such as bad weather, insects, wildlife, noisy neighbors, and lack of cell service.

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