How to slow down time

This ESL lesson plan deals with the topic of how we perceive time, and why we often feel that time passes faster as we get older. It touches upon topics like novelty and new experiences, as well as bucket lists. It includes a few idioms, so it will be most suitable for students at B2 level. You can combine it with the worksheet “Idioms: time”.
Speaking: The lesson starts with 4 conversation questions about time and how we perceive time.
Vocabulary: Students learn a few expressions related to how we perceive time (e.g. Time drags, time flies). First, they need to divide the expressions into 2 categories. Then they are given a list of situations and are asked to say how they feel about each one, using the expressions they’ve just learned (e.g. I lose track of time when I’m reading a captivating book.).
Speaking: Next, students are given different adjectives (e.g. uneventful, predictable, memorable) and are asked to describe the past 6 months of their lives with 1 of the adjectives, and to explain why they’ve chosen that particular adjective.
Listening: Students watch a video called “How to slow down time”, and answer 5 questions. Then, they engage in a post-listening discussion and talk about their bucket lists.
Vocabulary: Students look at extracts from the video, which include some interesting vocabulary (e.g. slip away, take something for granted, get out of your comfort zone). They work out the meaning of the expressions and match them to their definitions. To practice, they complete 4 sentences with the correct word or expression.

Finally, students are asked to think of new experiences they would like to try in 5 different categories, and to discuss their choices.
For some more speaking practice, you can use the set of printable conversation cards.