C1 – Why It’s Unwise to Be a Minimalist

Article-based ESL lesson which argues against the idea of minimalism as a one-size-fits-all approach to life and business. It suggests that instead of blindly adopting minimalism, people should use the standard of long-term appreciation when evaluating tools and services. This article teaches students about the importance of adaptability and critical thinking when approaching life’s challenges and decisions, as well as the value of assessing tools and services based on their long-term benefits.

Teaching guide

This is a flipped lesson. Before class, students need to preview the vocabulary on pages 4-5. You can either send them a list of words or full pages with our suggested definitions.

1. Lead-In 1/2: Find similarities between the suggested concepts and talk about potential advantages or drawbacks of each one.
2. Lead-In 2/2: Discuss as many questions as necessary. Engage students with lively discussion.
3. Vocabulary: Explore unfamiliar words, provide explanations and examples..
4. Reading: Read the assigned article, individually or together. Once completed, move on to the Summary page to assess comprehension. Discuss some interesting takeaways or anything else that your students found thought-provoking.
5. Agree or disagree: Share perspectives on statements about minimalism and maximalism.
6. Vocabulary game: If time permits, play a vocabulary game following the provided instructions. Modify them as needed to align with your objectives.