Social Issues Lesson Plans
For your heavy hitters. This is where you find the big, complex debates for your ESL students. We provide the structure and the academic vocabulary needed to discuss current events and tough social issues without the whole thing turning into chaos. Prep for a seriously intense class!
A No-Buy Year
Kick off the new year with this B2 lesson plan on the no-buy year trend. Covers shopping vocabulary, a listening task, and debates on spending habits.
Global Housing Crisis
Teach housing affordability, income vocabulary, and policy debate with this C1 lesson plan on the global housing crisis.
My Crazy Neighbors
In this B1 ESL lesson, students learn 14 words like "calm" and "heated argument" to discuss neighbor issues, complete tasks, and create AI bad neighbors.
Ghosting
"Seen." One word, zero replies. This B1 ghosting lesson plan teaches texting slang, friendship vocab, and real conversation skills.
Provocative Halloween Costumes
From 1960s uniform to feminist flashpoint, the Playboy bunny suit tells a bigger story. A C1 Halloween lesson plan on costumes and culture.
How Does the US Election Work?
Electoral College, swing states, and political parties explained. Get your B2 students debating with this US election lesson plan.
The Beauty Premium Effect
Do good-looking people really earn more and get shorter jail sentences? Your B2 students will want to debate this beauty premium lesson.
Natural Disasters
Earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and more. B1 students learn natural disaster vocabulary and role-play emergency preparation in this lesson.
Why Everyone Hates E-Scooters
Sidewalk clutter, safety chaos, and angry pedestrians. This B2 lesson on e-scooters gets students reading, debating, and writing.
Stereotypes Around the Globe
How do Americans picture Britain, and vice versa? A B2 stereotypes lesson with funny videos, vocabulary, and cultural debate.
Are Coachella and Burning Man Facing Decline?
Are Coachella and Burning Man losing their edge? A B2 lesson plan on festival culture, ticket economics, and changing music habits.
Tourists, Go Home
Why are locals saying "tourists, go home"? B2 students explore overtourism through video, case studies, and a vocabulary lesson.
Money, Happiness, & Hedonic Adaptation
Do we stop getting happier after a certain income? Find out in this C1 lesson on hedonic adaptation, money, and happiness research.
Finding Direction in Your 20s
Your B2 students will love this lesson plan about finding direction in your twenties, with vocabulary, video, and real-talk discussion.
The Dark Side of Airbnb
C1 lesson on Airbnb privacy and hidden cameras. Watch CNN investigation, learn advanced vocabulary, discuss rental safety, detection techniques.
Saving Coral Reefs
B1 lesson on coral reefs and ocean conservation. Learn marine vocabulary, watch Coral Vita video, discuss climate change, practice role play interviews.
5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Ride A Motorcycle
This B2 level ESL lesson on why most shouldn't buy motorcycles includes speaking activities, listening to 5 audio clips, vocabulary practice, and discussions.
Fast Fashion
Discuss fast fashion's impact with this B2 lesson featuring SNL satire, environmental readings, sustainable shopping vocab, and ethical debates.
The Four-Step Guide to Spot Misinformation
C1 lesson teaching the SIFT method to spot fake news, featuring advanced vocabulary, media literacy discussions, and critical analysis activities.
Retiring in Your 60s: Impossible Expectation?
Explore retirement planning challenges at C1 level. Students analyze rising costs, changing expectations, and financial realities.
Why Unskilled People Think They Are Amazing
Explore the Dunning-Kruger effect in this B2 lesson with TED-Ed video, psychology vocabulary, and self-assessment discussions.