Super Commuting
This B2-level conversational ESL lesson focuses on super commuting. Based on an NBC New York news episode about a super commuter who travels hundreds of miles to New York for work, the lesson delves into the role of commuting in daily life, the significance of location when choosing a job, and how to balance work and financial priorities. Students will expand their vocabulary, express their opinions, and engage in discussions about the pros and cons of super commuting. They will also analyze case studies to explore why some people choose to super commute. This lesson is perfect for intermediate and upper-intermediate students, especially those with work experience.
| Level | Vocabulary | Video length | Lesson time |
| B2 / Upper-Intermediate | 10 words | 2:12 min | 60 min |
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Vocabulary
- Super commuter
- Involve
- Average rent
- Transfer
- It works both ways
- Hustle and bustle
- Underscore
- Unaffordability crisis
- Household
- Cover basic needs
Contents
- Lead-in
- Vocabulary Preview
- Vocabulary
- Video
- Questions
- Comprehension
- Discussion
- Agree or disagree
- Case study
Lead-in
This B2 ESL lesson is about super commuting. It starts with a discussion where students talk about why people might live far from their workplace and why location is important when choosing a job. The goal is to help students think about the challenges and benefits of commuting long distances, preparing them for the rest of the lesson.
Vocabulary preview, Vocabulary definitions
Next, there is a vocabulary preview. Students will look at 10 words from a YouTube video. They will try to identify words they already know and provide simple explanations or sentences using those words. If they are unsure about any definitions, they can check the definitions on the next slide for help.
Video, Questions
Next, students will watch a 2-minute video from NBC New York News about a super commuter who travels hundreds of miles to get to New York City for work. While watching, they should focus on the main idea. Afterward, they will move on to the next page to answer related questions.
Comprehension, Discussion
After watching and discussing the video, students will complete a comprehension task where they match the two parts of a sentence to practice the new vocabulary they have learned. Additionally, there is a discussion section where students can talk about the pros and cons of being a super commuter. This can be done individually or in groups, allowing students to share their opinions and deepen their understanding of the topic.
Agree or disagree, Case study
The final task involves an “Agree or Disagree” activity, where students will read five statements about commuting. They will express their personal opinions and discuss their views in class. Another task is a case study, where students will read two cases about people with different jobs who commute long distances. They will analyze the situations and answer follow-up questions. This task is great for encouraging conversation, reinforcing new vocabulary, and practicing expressing opinions and giving advice.
