Living Off the Grid
In this video-based ESL lesson, we’ll learn about living off-the-grid. We’ll discuss the basics and challenges of this lifestyle, and acquire new vocabulary related to the topic. We’ll watch a video that shows what it’s like to live in New Zealand’s oldest national park, Fiordland. Additionally, we’ll have a conversation about outdoor activities and the interesting things people do when they’re off-the-grid.
This lesson was originally released in November 2023 and quickly became one of our most popular and well-loved lessons. In October 2025, we refreshed and updated it to align more closely with our style and vision, while keeping the original video intact.
Student's Version (Light/Dark)
Teacher's Version (Answer Keys)
Printable Classroom Version (A4)
| Level | Vocabulary | Video Length | Lesson Time |
| B2 / Upper-Intermediate | 10 words | 3:41 min | 60 min |
Vocabulary
- wilderness
- vast
- civilization
- shelter
- rely on
- live off the land
- harshness
- isolation
- tight-knit community
- pristine
Contents
- Lead-in
- Vocabulary
- Definitions
- Discussion
- Video
- Questions
- Summary
- Discussion
- Agree or disagree
- Speaking
- Wrap up
Teaching Guide
Lead-in
This upper-intermediate ESL lesson about living off the grid starts with several lead-in questions about lifestyle. Students explore the meaning of living off the grid and discuss what they can’t imagine their life without. They talk about outdoor activities like camping or hiking and whether living closer to nature makes people happier or lonelier. Then, they move on to a task about reasons why people choose to live off the grid, they review a list of ideas and choose three they find most realistic, explaining their choices.
Vocabulary, Definitions, Discussion
Next comes the vocabulary section, which introduces key words taken from the video.
Students read the sentences and try to explain the bolded words in context. If they’re unsure, they can check the definitions on the following slide.There are 10 target words in total. After reviewing the vocabulary, students take part in a pre-viewing discussion about life in New Zealand, sharing how they imagine it and what they already know about the country.
Video, Questions, Summary, Discussion, Agree or disagree
Next, students watch a video about Warrick Mitchell, who lives in New Zealand’s oldest national park.
They should pay attention to where he lives, what his lifestyle and daily routine are like, and the environment around him. After watching, there are comprehension questions, followed by a summary activity where students fill in the blanks with missing words. The lesson ends with speaking activities, including a discussion based on ideas from the video and an agree/disagree task where students read comments and share their opinions.
Speaking, Wrap up
To wrap up the class, there’s a final speaking activity where students discuss whether living off the grid is realistic or romanticized. They prepare a short talk and must use at least five words from the vocabulary list provided on the slide. The lesson ends with a reflection question: “What does freedom really mean — having more choices or needing fewer things?” This encourages deeper discussion and personal reflection, allowing students to share opinions and summarize what they’ve learned throughout the class.
