AI & Politics

Explore the fascinating intersection of AI and politics with this advanced C1 ESL lesson. Based on an engaging article, the lesson introduces 16 essential vocabulary terms for students to master through context and practice. Learners will participate in thought-provoking discussions, tackle extensive reading comprehension tasks, and explore real-world implications of AI-driven political systems. A brief listening section enhances understanding, while pair work encourages collaboration and critical thinking. Perfect for advanced learners, this lesson challenges students to analyze, debate, and expand their perspectives on the future of governance in a tech-driven world.

Lead-in

The lesson begins with a thought-provoking scenario where students imagine an election between an AI candidate and a human politician, each with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Students must explain their choice of candidate and justify their decision. This is followed by four engaging discussion questions on topics like generational preferences for AI versus human politicians, the role of humans in AI-assisted governments, and a creative challenge where students combine the word “algorithm” with political systems (e.g., democracy, monarchy) to invent new terms.

Vocabulary preview, Definitions

The next section introduces 16 key vocabulary terms extracted from the article. Students begin by identifying familiar words, marking them with a tick, and optionally providing definitions. Then, they review and discuss unfamiliar terms with the teacher, ensuring they grasp the meanings through examples and explanations. This step prepares students for deeper engagement with the article.

Article, Comprehension

The article, titled “AI Replacing Politicians”, is 920 words long with an estimated reading time of 5–6 minutes. Students read and annotate the text, highlighting key points and marking challenging vocabulary. They also develop three thought-provoking questions to discuss later. After reading, a comprehension section features detailed questions based on the article. Students then pair up or work with the teacher to ask and answer the three questions they created earlier. A second comprehension activity—True/False/Not Given—requires students to analyze six statements, explain their reasoning, and provide evidence from the text.

Hot takes, Practice

The following page presents four opinions about AI governance and its future. Teachers can adapt this section for various classroom activities, such as group discussions, debates, or hot-seat challenges. Next, students practice 15 vocabulary words from the article through an audio-based activity. They listen to sentences, connect them to the correct vocabulary words, and explain their choices, reinforcing understanding in context.

AI political party

The final activity focuses on pair or group work, but it can also be adapted for one-on-one lessons. Students create an AI-driven political party, designing its name, logo, core values, and policies to tackle global issues like healthcare, education, or climate change. They write a short manifesto (1–2 paragraphs) outlining the party’s vision and present their ideas to the class, fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.