Summary
This downloadable PDF lesson for C1 ESL students helps them discuss self-control. This English class material uses a video and role-plays to teach students how to manage bad impulses and knee-jerk reactions in professional and personal situations.
This lesson helps advanced students explore the psychology of self-control. Activities include a warm-up discussion on impulsive behavior, a vocabulary matching task, and comprehension questions based on a video about the "magic pause." Students will practice using mixed conditionals to reflect on past actions and engage in realistic role-plays to apply useful phrases for emotional regulation. The material is designed to generate meaningful conversation and provide practical communication tools for high-pressure situations.
Activities
- A warm-up discussion where students share personal experiences with impulsive actions and regret, setting the stage for the lesson's theme of self-control in real-life scenarios.
- Video comprehension questions based on a talk about practical techniques like the "magic pause," 4-7-8 breathing, and mindfulness to help manage immediate emotional responses and knee-jerk reactions.
- A grammar exercise focusing on mixed conditionals (If + past perfect, would + verb) to help students reflect on the present consequences of past impulsive actions, connecting grammar directly to the lesson's theme.
- Guided role-play scenarios involving common workplace conflicts, such as sending an angry email or interrupting a colleague, allowing students to practice giving and receiving advice using newly learned vocabulary and phrases.
Transcript
00:00 I really need a new monitor mine is flickering and it's hard to see.00:06 Also, could I get some more printer ink? We're almost out and I have a big report due.00:12 And perhaps a new ergonomic chair would be great my back has been hurting a lot lately.00:18 I'll send an e-mail to the office manager hopefully they can approve these requests soon.
Vocabulary focus
The vocabulary section introduces advanced idioms and phrases related to psychology and self-control. Key terms include "knee-jerk reaction," "physiological surge," "swoop in," and "fire drill." Students learn to describe impulsive feelings and mindfulness concepts like how to "get present."
Grammar focus
This lesson concentrates on mixed conditionals, specifically the structure "If + Past Perfect, would + verb." This grammatical form is used to help students reflect on and discuss the present results of past impulsive actions or inactions, making the grammar practice highly relevant to the topic.
