Summary
This downloadable PDF lesson plan for English teachers explores the topic of tattoos. This ESL class material is based on a short video and includes vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking activities perfect for an engaging conversation class.
This complete ESL lesson helps students discuss the art and science of getting a tattoo using a short, informative video. Students learn key vocabulary for the entire process, from finding a reputable artist to proper aftercare. The class material includes listening comprehension checks, a grammar focus on giving advice and instructions (should, need to, have to), and a final communicative role-play activity to practice the new language in a realistic context.
Activities
- A warm-up discussion with questions about personal experiences, reasons for getting tattoos, and cultural perspectives to activate students' prior knowledge.
- A pre-watching vocabulary matching task to introduce and clarify essential terms from the video, such as "portfolio," "reputable," "sterilised," and "touch-up."
- Two listening comprehension exercises based on the video: a true/false activity for overall understanding and a gap-fill task for listening for specific details.
- A grammar section focusing on the language used for giving advice and instructions, contrasting the use of imperatives, "should," "need to," and "have to."
- A final role-play activity where students simulate a conversation between a nervous first-time client and a tattoo artist, allowing for practical language application.
Vocabulary focus
This lesson introduces and practises vocabulary related to the process and aftercare of getting a tattoo. Key terms include: portfolio, reputable, licence, sterilised, procedure, moisturiser, submerging, scab, heal, and touch-up.
Grammar focus
The grammar point is giving advice, instructions, and stating obligations. Students will learn to differentiate between and use imperatives (e.g., "Keep it clean"), modal verbs for advice ("You should..."), and phrases for necessity ("You need to..." / "You have to...").
