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Chasing the Northern Lights – ESL Lesson Plan

ESL lesson on the Northern Lights inspired by BBC style story and PBS science explainer about aurora borealis

Unlock the magic of the night sky with this dynamic 90-minute lesson plan that takes students on a journey from personal passion to global science.

What’s Inside:

This complete, intermediate-level (B1-B2) lesson uses two compelling authentic videos as its core:

  • A BBC Earth-style segment following a British family whose obsession led them to move to Norway to hunt the Northern Lights.
  • A PBS NewsHour explainer breaking down the solar science behind why the lights are currently visible further south than ever.

Students won’t just watch – they’ll connect deeply with the material through:

  • Engaging Discussion on travel, passion, and natural wonders.
  • Thematic Vocabulary Building with key terms like ethereal, elusive, solar maximum, and power grid.
  • Dual-Skill Comprehension Tasks (gist & detail) for both narrative and news formats.
  • Critical Thinking & Synthesis activities comparing personal stories with scientific fact.
  • A Creative Extension where students plan their own “aurora hunting” holiday using lesson vocabulary.

Perfect for teachers seeking a high-interest, multi-skill lesson that blends human interest with real-world science. Your students will be captivated by the story, engaged by the tasks, and left with a deeper understanding of one of our planet’s most spectacular phenomena.

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Teach English through adventure, science, and one of Earth’s most magical wonders!

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Students practicing English discussion and vocabulary about travel, natural wonders, and solar science

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