Feed Your Microbes
This upper-intermediate ESL lesson focuses on gut health and healthy eating habits. Students will watch a BBC video on how gut microbes influence health, learn key vocabulary, and discuss health-related statements. They will also research a gut-friendly food and present their findings, improving both their speaking and critical thinking skills.
| Level | Vocabulary | Video length | Lesson time |
| B2 / Upper-Intermediate | 10 words | 2:13 min | 60 min |
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Vocabulary
- Gut microbiome
- Metabolism
- Immune function
- Disrupted microbiome
- Probiotics
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Inflammation
- Microbe-friendly
- Germ-free
Contents
- Lead-in
- Discussion
- Vocabulary match
- Video
- Comprehension
- Believe it or not
- Speaking
- Extra
Lead-in
This upper-intermediate ESL lesson explores gut health, starting with thought-provoking questions about food trends and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Students will examine various foods, ranking them from most to least beneficial for gut health and justifying their choices.
Discussion, Vocabulary match
Next, students will discuss key vocabulary from the video. First, they will analyze two pictures of different foods, identifying which one represents processed foods and which shows fermented foods, then explain their meanings. After that, they will complete a matching exercise with 10 words, pairing them with their definitions.
Video, Comprehension
After reviewing the vocabulary, students will move on to the video section. They will watch a 2-minute BBC video on how gut microbes shape health. While watching, they should focus on new words and answer the five comprehension questions on the next slide. Additionally, they will complete a fill-in-the-blank activity using key words from the video.
Believe it or not
The next activity, Believe It or Not, presents several statements on the slide. Students must determine whether each statement is true or false, explain their reasoning, and then check their answers on the next slide.
Speaking
The final speaking activity can be done individually or in groups. Students will choose a gut-friendly food from the list, research it, and create a three-minute presentation covering its benefits, nutrients, and meal ideas. They should also be prepared to answer questions after their presentation. There will be 10 food options, including kimchi, kombucha, and apple cider vinegar.
Extra
The extra activity is optional. Students are encouraged to watch the Netflix documentary Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut in their free time for deeper insights into today’s topic.
