Summary
This downloadable PDF lesson plan for advanced C2 English classes explores Universal Basic Income. This ESL class material uses sophisticated debate and grammar to discuss the future of work, economics, and society in a challenging lesson.
This lesson guides C2 students through the complex topic of Universal Basic Income. Activities begin with a warm-up discussion, followed by a matching task for key economic terms. Students then complete a challenging listening gap-fill exercise on the nuances of UBI policy. The lesson culminates in a structured policy debate, equipping learners with advanced grammar and phrases for sophisticated argumentation. This material is perfect for a high-level conversation or business English class.
Activities
- Students begin by debating provocative statements about work and its value, activating their existing knowledge and opinions on the topic before diving into the core economic concepts of the lesson.
- The lesson includes an advanced listening exercise where students fill gaps in an expert's opinion on UBI, followed by comprehension questions to test their understanding of nuanced arguments and vocabulary.
- Learners practice sophisticated C2 grammar structures, such as cleft sentences, inversion, and the subjunctive mood, to make their arguments more formal, emphatic, and persuasive in high-level discussions.
- The lesson culminates in a dynamic role-play debate where students act as a policy committee, using all the vocabulary, grammar, and debate phrases learned to argue for or against a UBI pilot program.
Vocabulary focus
This lesson focuses on high-level economic and social policy terminology essential for discussing UBI. Students will master terms such as 'welfare state,' 'social safety net,' 'incentive structure,' 'paradigm shift,' and 'disincentivize.' The listening exercise also introduces advanced, context-specific vocabulary for understanding expert-level discourse.
Grammar focus
The grammar section is designed to elevate students' argumentative skills. It provides clear explanations and practice exercises for three key structures used in formal debate: cleft sentences for emphasis, inversion with negative adverbials for dramatic effect, and the subjunctive mood for making formal suggestions and demands.
