Summary
This downloadable PDF lesson plan for C1 ESL students helps them discuss the sharing economy. This English class material uses vocabulary, listening, and grammar exercises to explore companies like Airbnb and Uber and their impact on society.
This C1-level ESL lesson plan provides a structured exploration of the sharing economy. It begins with a warm-up discussion and an advanced vocabulary matching task. Students then complete a listening gap-fill exercise, followed by comprehension questions. The lesson introduces cleft sentences for grammatical emphasis and provides useful phrases for nuanced debate. The class culminates in a dynamic city council role-play, allowing students to apply all the language they have learned in a practical, communicative activity.
Activities
- Students begin by matching advanced terms like 'paradigm shift' and 'underutilized assets' with their definitions, building the lexical foundation needed to discuss the complexities of the sharing economy.
- A listening comprehension exercise challenges students to fill in the gaps in a short audio text using the newly learned vocabulary, enhancing their listening skills and their ability to use the words in context.
- The lesson features a clear explanation and practice exercises on using cleft sentences (e.g., 'What this model does is...') to add emphasis, a key skill for advanced formal speaking and writing.
- A final role-play activity places students in a city council debate about short-term rentals, requiring them to use the lesson's vocabulary, grammar, and discussion phrases to argue their points persuasively.
Transcript
The sharing economy, underpinned by digital platforms, truly represents a paradigm shift in how we conceive of ownership and access. It's more than just renting it's about leveraging underutilized assets within a community for the collective good.
This model not only mitigates waste and promotes sustainability but also significantly fosters stronger social bonds among participants. What's particularly striking is how it democratizes resource access, allowing individuals to benefit from things they might not otherwise afford.
I believe its long-term impact on local economies and environmental stewardship will be profound, provided we ensure equitable participation and robust regulatory frameworks.
Vocabulary focus
The lesson focuses on C1-level vocabulary essential for discussing economic and social change. Key terms include: "paradigm shift," "underpinned by," "leverage," "underutilized assets," "mitigate," "foster," "democratize," "environmental stewardship," "equitable participation," and "regulatory frameworks."
Grammar focus
The grammar section is dedicated to mastering cleft sentences for emphasis. Students learn the structure and use of both It-clefts ('It is the digital platform that...') and What-clefts ('What this model does is...'), moving from a clear explanation to a controlled practice exercise.
