Summary
This downloadable PDF lesson plan for English teachers explores work-life balance for mothers. A great ESL class material for advanced (C1) students, this lesson uses a video to compare social policies and spark discussion on cultural differences.
This C1 English lesson plan focuses on the challenges faced by working mothers, contrasting US and European social policies. Students watch a sociologist discuss her research, which leads to vocabulary exercises and grammar practice. Activities include a warm-up discussion, video comprehension questions, a gap-fill task, and a grammar exercise on contrast clauses. The lesson culminates in a structured debate, allowing students to use the new language to discuss differing cultural viewpoints on social support and personal responsibility.
Activities
- Activities include a warm-up discussion, video comprehension questions, a gap-fill task, and a grammar exercise on contrast clauses. The lesson culminates in a structured debate, allowing students to use the new language to discuss differing cultural viewpoints on social support and personal responsibility.
- Students begin with a warm-up discussion, sharing their views on the challenges working parents face in their countries and the differences in pressure felt by men and women. This activates their prior knowledge and prepares them for the lesson's main topic.
- Based on a video about a sociologist's research, students answer comprehension questions that contrast US and Swedish approaches to parental leave. This activity enhances listening skills and introduces key concepts like individualism versus collective responsibility.
- The lesson ends with a structured debate on personal responsibility versus social support. Students analyze two opposing viewpoints and use the lesson's vocabulary and grammar to build arguments, fostering critical thinking and advanced conversational skills.
Vocabulary focus
The vocabulary centers on social policy and personal struggle. Students will learn and practice terms such as plague, wage replacement, entitlement, consensus, and individualism. The lesson also introduces useful phrases like blame themselves, a public good, and put it on themselves to help students discuss complex social issues with greater nuance and precision.
Grammar focus
The grammar point is clauses of concession and contrast. The lesson provides a clear explanation and examples of how to use connectors like despite, in spite of, although, even though, whereas, and however. Students then practice by rewriting sentences to correctly apply these structures, improving their ability to construct complex, well-reasoned arguments.
