Pets
Lesson plan overview
This ESL lesson plan is dedicated to pets and the benefits of having a pet, with a focus on how pets improve our mental health. Students learn useful vocabulary related to pet care, watch a video and discuss the topic in depth. Check out other mental health-related lessons here.
Speaking: First, students discuss the role of animals in our lives throughout history, their dream pet, pets and children, and other related topics.
Vocabulary: Students look at photos related to pet care and try to guess what part of pet care is shown in each photo. Then, they read 8 sentences and match the expressions to the photos (e.g. walk my dog, feed, neutered, puppy train, litter train, vet appointments). After that students discuss conversation questions related to pet care and what they do with their pets when they go on holiday. Next, students learn words related to having fun and playing with pets (e.g. play fetch, cuddle, pet, rub their belly).
Next, they look at different words (unconditional love, companionship, to comfort you, cheer you up, emotional support) and discuss the mental health benefits of having a pet, using the words.
Video: Students watch a video called “7 ways having a pet can improve your mental health“, and complete 2 activities.
The last 2 activities are focused on speaking: First, students discuss different ways to have contact with animals if they can’t have a pet (e.g. go to a cat café, volunteer at a shelter, pet sit). Finally, students complete a role-play situation (a child is trying to convince one of their parents to get a pet).
For more speaking practice, you can check out the conversation cards.
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Teacher’s lesson plan
Student’s worksheet
Student’s interactive PDF
Conversation cards PDF
Pre-class activities
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In-class activities
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Additional resources
Each video-based lesson plan includes links to additional resources (videos and articles), which are FREE can be found online (in the pre-class activities page. These links aim to extend the learning experience, enabling students to connect classroom knowledge with real-world applications.
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Teacher’s lesson plan
Student’s worksheet
Student’s interactive PDF
Conversation cards PDF
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