Invasive species

This ESL worksheet on invasive species is designed for upper-intermediate to advanced learners who are curious about wildlife, ecology, and environmental issues. It’s perfect for students who enjoy learning about global ecosystems and human impact on nature, while also practicing English skills such as listening, speaking, and vocabulary. Other lessons you might like are “Innovation inspired by nature“, “Can poaching ever be stopped“, “Phrasal verbs: the environment“,

Speaking: The lesson begins with a warm-up activity in which students look at 3 signs showing different rules for importing animals or releasing them in the wild. Students discuss the reasons why these rules exist. Next, they discuss questions that encourage them to reflect on globalization and the impact of species spreading beyond their native habitats. Learners share personal experiences (e.g., bringing plants or animals across borders and examples of pests in their country) and consider the consequences of invasive species on ecosystems and human life. Next, students talk about the traits that make a species more likely to be invasive.

Reading: Students read short texts about well-known invasive species such as the cane toad, lionfish, zebra mussel, emerald ash borer, Asian tiger mosquito, and African honeybee. They explore how these organisms were introduced and the effects they caused. After that, students match the species to the method of introduction. This part also introduces the target vocabulary for this lesson.

Vocabulary: A matching exercise introduces essential terms (e.g., prey on, outcompete, skyrocket, invade, eradicate, disrupt, breed, contain, thrive). Students apply this vocabulary in multiple-choice sentences, reinforcing both meaning and usage in ecological contexts.

Listening: Learners watch a TED talk called  “The threat of invasive species.” In Listening A, they complete a table with species, introduction methods, and ecological impact. In Listening B, they practice word forms from the video transcript. In Listening C, they identify control measures and discuss whether humans could themselves be considered an invasive species—perfect for students interested in environmental debates and problem-solving.

Discussion: Students engage in conversations about solutions for controlling invasive species, from banning exotic pets and chemical control to quarantine, inspection, and introducing predator species. This section develops critical thinking, argumentation, and evaluation skills, appealing to learners who enjoy debating real-world issues.

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