RESOURCES
FOR SMOOTHER, HAPPIER LESSONS
FOR SMOOTHER, HAPPIER LESSONS
This downloadable PDF presentation offers a thoughtful way to help students practice speaking and discussion skills. It includes conversation questions on sensitive and engaging topics such as death row, texting suicide, and gun control.
The resource works well for pair or group discussions and encourages students to express opinions, think critically, and use English in context. It’s a practical tool for adding depth and variety to your lessons.
Please note: this lesson is suitable for adult students only.
With the European Day of Languages approaching, I’ve prepared a series of materials to mark the occasion. These resources will be released every few days, each featuring a different type of exercise with a focus on speaking.
I’m starting with conversation questions that I consider the most interesting or less commonly asked. Sources for the questions are provided at the end of the presentation. I hope these materials will be useful and engaging for your students!
It’s time for the second part of the European Day of Languages presentation! This lesson is video-based and allows students to watch and discuss a TED talk by Benny the Polyglot. The talk covers polyglots (and why there are so few), his experiences learning languages, and the concept of the language gene.
What’s included:
A clickable QR code to access the video directly
Comprehension questions
Vocabulary exercises – including sentence completion and storytelling activities
Discussion questions
An overview of strategies for learning new words and a follow-up discussion
Teacher’s notes and answer key
A new presentation will be posted in a few days, this time based on a text. Stay tuned for more materials designed to engage students and improve speaking skills!
Here’s the third (and final) part of the presentation series I’ve prepared for the European Day of Languages. While these resources can be used all year round to motivate students to learn English, now is a great opportunity to introduce them.
This third presentation is based on an infographic highlighting the benefits of language learning.
What’s included:
A visually appealing, easy-to-read infographic showing the benefits of language learning for different age groups
Vocabulary exercises
A task to summarize the text
Discussion questions
Inspirational quotes
This presentation is designed to encourage conversation and active participation, making it a practical and engaging resource for your classroom.
Children’s Day is a great opportunity to talk with adult students about their childhood memories. My presentation is designed to spark nostalgia and encourage sharing, making students eager to reminisce and reflect on their past experiences. I know it works—I’ve tested it in the classroom!
Here’s my new presentation on the problems caused by big cities. Take your students on a virtual journey around the world to explore how different countries address isolation, pollution, and limited living space.
Students will learn about:
Hikikomori and social isolation in Japan
The tiny house movement
Everyday challenges faced by Londoners
How the pandemic has influenced urban pollution
This resource is designed to stimulate discussion and critical thinking while helping students practice speaking and vocabulary in context.
Level B2 and higher.
This conversation lesson focuses on family and lifestyle topics and is designed to be flexible and engaging.
What’s included:
Several sections that can be used as separate lessons: family, moving out of your parents’ house, alternative lifestyles, appearance, and inspirational quotes
Three videos to serve as conversation starters
An article on unusual lifestyles
Quotes about outcasts, genetics, and ... sins
The family-related questions have been adapted from ESLWorkshop.com, a highly recommended resource. This lesson encourages students to share opinions, discuss personal experiences, and practice speaking in a meaningful context.
This lesson is designed to make students laugh—and maybe blush a little! It covers vocabulary related to farting, burping, vomiting, peeing, and other bodily functions—words that are often private but definitely useful to know.
It’s a fun and engaging way to expand vocabulary while encouraging students to practice speaking in a relaxed environment. Use it with discretion and consider your audience!
Take professional life under the magnifying glass and explore its different aspects with your students. This presentation is flexible—you can choose the slides that best suit your group.
It includes a variety of activities:
Warm-up exercises
This-or-that discussions
Images for conversation prompts
A short text about work-life balance
A funny commercial on corporate speak
This resource encourages students to share opinions, practice speaking, and think critically about professional life in a relatable and engaging way.
Consumerism is a relevant topic, especially during the pandemic, when many of our usual habits have changed and access to shops is limited.
In this lesson, students will reflect on the role of material possessions in their lives and watch a TED talk on minimalism. They will also learn about green consumerism and discuss practical actions to protect the environment.
This resource encourages critical thinking, meaningful conversation, and practical vocabulary use in the classroom.
Level B2 and above.
One of my favorite tasks is “Talk for a Minute”! In this activity, students must speak continuously for a minute about a topic related to a photo. The twist? They also have to include a given word or phrase in their talk. If needed, the teacher can first explain the meaning of challenging words.
You can also set a specific form of expression: storytelling, a news report, or a short story—whatever sparks creativity. This activity is a great way to practice fluency, vocabulary, and quick thinking in a fun and engaging way.
“COVID-19: Before & After” captures the times of the coronavirus pandemic in a fun and engaging way. This lesson focuses on conversation practice while allowing students to revise grammar structures such as used to and will/may/might.
The lesson begins with a humorous BBC video, designed to put students in a good mood and spark discussion. It’s a practical resource for speaking practice, grammar revision, and reflecting on recent events.
Level B1 and above.