In this B2 ESL lesson plan, students will watch a video about workaholism and addiction to success. They will discuss why people become workaholics and how viewing oneself as a “success machine” affects personal life. Students will also learn key vocabulary related to workaholism. In role-plays, they will practice balancing work and personal relationships. The lesson aims to enhance their understanding and ability to discuss work-life balance.
| Type | Level | Vocabulary | Video Duration | Lesson Time |
| Regular Lesson | B2 / Upper-Intermediate | 8 words | 1:25 min | 60 min |
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Vocabulary
- striver
- workaholism
- excel
- addiction
- objectify
- exhibit
- neglect
- merit
Contents
- Lead-in
- Speaking
- Vocabulary match
- Video
- Questions
- Speaking
- Agree or disagree
- Interview activity
- Extra video
Lead-in, Speaking
Your students will begin this B2 ESL lesson by discussing several warm-up questions related to workaholism. Then, they will examine a quote on work addiction and discuss its meaning. After that, students will engage in a speaking task where they identify and discuss the most important factors for a meaningful and fulfilling life. The lesson will focus on understanding what makes a life well-lived.
Vocabulary, Video, Questions, Speaking
In the next part of this ESL class, students will focus on a short Youtube video about workaholism. After watching the video and taking notes on the key points, they will answer comprehension questions. Students will then engage in a speaking task where they read quotes from the video, explain each one, and identify which quote was not mentioned by the speaker. This activity will reinforce listening skills, comprehension, and critical thinking.
Agree or disagree, Interview activity
In this section of the class, students will review several statements related to the lesson topic and express their opinions, stating whether they agree or disagree with each statement. This will be followed by an interview activity, where students pair up with a partner to conduct short interviews about each other’s ideal job. After the interviews, students will share key takeaways with the class, encouraging further discussion and reflection on career aspirations and personal values.
Extra video (Homework)
The final slide features an extended video on fighting workaholism. Due to the length of the video, it can be assigned as homework for students to watch outside of class, allowing them to reflect further on the topic and reinforce the concepts discussed during the lesson.
