What is Pantone?

In this B2 ESL lesson, students explore the Pantone Color Matching System through engaging activities. They will name and discuss unique colors, learn about Pantone’s color trends, and watch a video for comprehension. Students will also practice creating memorable color names and apply their knowledge in a final discussion on colors in everyday life. As homework, they will create and present their own Pantone-inspired color.

Lead-in

This B2 ESL lesson focuses on the Pantone Color Matching System. It starts with a fun activity where students name 12 colors and then compare their answers on the next slide. The lesson also explores unique colors like peach, turquoise, and magenta.

Reading, Discussion

The next part of the lesson focuses on reading. Students will read about how colors are named and brainstorm other colors with unique names. They’ll also learn about the Pantone Matching System, explore what the company is known for, and discuss Pantone’s “Color of the Year.” Following this, there’s a discussion slide featuring six colors chosen by Pantone between 2020 and 2025. Students will talk about what these colors remind them of, where they might see them in real life, and the emotions they evoke. This activity encourages conversational practice. Additionally, there’s a creative exercise where students practice inventing memorable color names by combining two words.

Vocabulary preview, Video

Next, the lesson includes a video comprehension task about the Pantone Color System. Before watching, students review key vocabulary words to ensure they understand their meanings. If they’re unsure, they can refer to definitions provided on the next slide. After discussing the vocabulary, students watch the video, paying attention to how the new words are used. Following the video, they move to the next slide to answer comprehension questions, reinforcing their understanding of the content.

Questions, Practice

The next section focuses on comprehension. Students answer questions based on the video’s content, followed by a practice activity where they read three sentences featuring highlighted words. They then explain the meaning of these words in context.

Discussion, Homework

The final part of the lesson is a lively discussion where students talk about how colors play a role in their everyday lives. They can share the colors they would use to decorate their homes, their preferences for clothing, or their thoughts on the colors found in nature. As an optional homework assignment, students can choose an item and create a color inspired by the Pantone Color System. They will describe the color, give it a creative name, and present their idea in class.