Summary
This downloadable lesson plan for C1 ESL students explores the future of medicine and biotechnology, focusing on complex vocabulary, grammar for emphasis, and a stimulating ethical debate. This advanced English lesson guides students through the complex topic of biotechnology and its impact on medicine. Activities include a warm-up discussion on genetic testing, a vocabulary matching exercise, and a gap-fill listening task about personalized medicine. Students will practice using cleft sentences for emphasis, learn phrases for ethical debates, and apply their knowledge in a structured role-play as members of an ethics advisory board. A final writing task consolidates the lesson's key language and concepts.
Activities
- Students begin by debating a personal genetic dilemma, then build a foundation with an advanced vocabulary matching exercise focusing on key terms like "paradigm shift" and "ethical implications" to prepare for deeper discussion.
- A listening comprehension exercise about the healthcare revolution solidifies understanding. This is followed by a targeted grammar practice on using cleft sentences to add emphasis, a key skill for persuasive speaking and writing.
- The lesson culminates in a dynamic group debate where students role-play an ethics advisory board discussing gene-editing. A final writing task asks them to articulate their opinion on the challenges of biotechnology.
Transcript
Vocabulary focus
The lesson focuses on advanced, formal vocabulary essential for discussing innovation and ethics. Key terms include nouns like "paradigm shift," "genetic makeup," and "ethical implications," alongside verbs such as "to tailor," "to harness," and "to hinge on," enabling nuanced conversations.
Grammar focus
The grammar section targets the use of cleft sentences for adding emphasis in formal and persuasive contexts. Students will learn to structure and apply both It-clefts (e.g., "It is data privacy that...") and Wh-clefts (e.g., "What we need is...") to highlight specific information effectively.
