Why do some people have wanderlust

Summary

This 90-minute ESL lesson for B2 learners explores Why do some people have wanderlust - and not others? | BBC Ideas through a real video. Across 12 interactive exercises, you'll develop listening comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, practical communication, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.

What you'll practise:

• 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
• Grammar focus: The passive voice with examples and practice
• Real-world phrases for discussing travel preferences and future plans
• Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
• Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings
• Error correction to sharpen grammar awareness

Lesson activities (12 exercises)

Each exercise builds on the previous one. Work through them in order for the best learning experience.

1. Warm-up — Discussion questions to activate what you already know about the topic.
2. Watch — Watch the video and note the main arguments and examples.
3. Comprehension — Answer questions to check your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details.
4. True / False — Test your detailed understanding — decide if each statement matches the source.
5. Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the video, with definitions and usage notes.
6. Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
7. Practical English — Learn phrases for discussing travel preferences and future plans — ready to use in real conversations.
8. Fill the gaps — Complete sentences with the correct vocabulary.
9. Grammar — Study The passive voice — explanation, examples, and key rules.
10. Error correction — Find and fix the mistake in each sentence.
11. Multiple choice — Choose the correct answer from four options.
12. Discussion — Reflect on the topic and share your opinions using the language you've learned.

Vocabulary

This lesson introduces 5 key terms drawn directly from the video:

• Catch the travel bug — to develop a strong and sudden desire to travel and explore new places.
• Off the beaten path — referring to places or experiences that are not commonly visited or known by tourists; unusual or remote.
• To broaden one's horizons — to expand one's knowledge, experience, or understanding of the world, often through travel or new activities.
• A craving for adventure — a very strong and intense desire for exciting, unusual, or risky experiences.
• The daily grind — the routine, often boring or difficult, tasks and activities of everyday work or life.

Grammar

This lesson focuses on The passive voice.

The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action or the object of the action, rather than the person or thing performing it. It's particularly useful in scientific or descriptive contexts, like when discussing theories or research about wanderlust and genetics, where the 'doer' of the action might be unknown or less important.

Examples from the lesson:

• A variant of the DRD4 gene has been identified by scientific research. — This focuses on the gene and the fact it was found, not specifically *who* found it. (Present perfect passive)
• Dopamine is often released in the brain when we enjoy something. — This describes a general process; the 'doer' (our body) is understood or less important than the action itself. (Present simple passive)
• The 'wanderlust gene' is believed to influence our desire for travel. — This shows a common use of the passive to report general opinions or beliefs without stating who holds them. (Present simple passive)

Key rules:

• Form the passive with 'to be' (in the correct tense) + the past participle of the main verb.
• Use the passive when the action or its result is more important than the person or thing performing it.
• Include 'by + agent' only if the doer is important, new information, or surprising.

Practical English

Discussing travel preferences and future plans

When talking about travel with friends, family, or colleagues, it's useful to have phrases that help you express your own desires, ask about others' preferences, and compare different travel styles. These phrases will help you share your thoughts on exploring the world, whether you have a strong sense of wanderlust or prefer to stay closer to home, just like the video discusses.

Phrases you'll learn:

• I've really been itching to get away somewhere new. — Expresses a strong, restless desire to travel.
• What kind of trips are you usually drawn to? — Asks about someone's general preferences for travel destinations or types of experiences.
• For me, it's all about experiencing different cultures. — States a personal motivation or primary focus when traveling.
• Are you more of a spontaneous traveler or do you prefer to plan everything out? — Compares two common approaches to travel, allowing for discussion of personal styles.
• I tend to stick to places where I can really relax and unwind. — Expresses a preference for a specific type of travel experience, often contrasting with adventurous travel.