Moving Abroad
This A2 moving abroad lesson uses a short video of Ashley Peters, a 23-year-old American who moved to Tokyo after graduating college. Students learn ten key vocabulary words, answer questions about the video, and share their own views on living in another country. It fits well in teen and young adult classes.
Lesson overview
- Learn ten key words including cost of living, afford, and go abroad
- Watch a short video about a young American expat living in Japan
- Discuss the benefits and challenges of moving to a new country
- Build speaking fluency by sharing personal opinions about living abroad
Student's Version (Light/Dark)
Teacher's Version (Answer Keys)
Printable Classroom Version (A4)
| Level | Vocabulary | Video Length | Lesson Time |
| A2 / Pre-Intermediate | 10 words | 1:28 min | 60 min |
Vocabulary
- Cost of living
- Afford
- Variety
- Space
- Currently
- Train ride
- Occur
- Go abroad
- Look up
- Apply
Contents
- Lead-in
- Agree or disagree
- Vocabulary
- Practice
- Video
- Questions
- Timeline
- Discussion
- Practice
- Speaking
- Video transcript
Start by asking students where they live and what they like about their city. These lead-in questions feel personal, which helps students settle in before the lesson moves to the topic of moving abroad. Give them a minute to think, then take quick answers from a few volunteers. The agree/disagree statements work well as a follow-up pair activity, with students sharing ideas before reporting back to the class.
The vocabulary section covers ten words: cost of living, afford, variety, space, currently, train ride, occur, go abroad, look up, and apply. Run the matching task individually, then check answers as a class. The word-choice exercise gives students a second chance to use the same words in context. Read each sentence aloud before students choose their answer. Since “go abroad” is a central term in this moving abroad lesson, spend a moment on it and ask if anyone knows someone who has done it.
Before playing the video, ask students what might surprise a young person moving to Japan. Play it once through, then work through the comprehension questions as a class. The timeline activity fits naturally after this. Students put Ashley’s life events in order, and they can use the transcript for support if they need it. Pairs work well for this task.
The two discussion quotes give students something real to react to. One is about the cost of living in Japan and affording things on your own. The other asks what it means when a place “feels right.” These questions move the conversation from Ashley’s story to students’ own thoughts about going abroad. Close with the speaking activity on benefits and challenges if time allows. It works well in small groups.
