The Lesson Loop

Home » Lessons » B2 » Did AI Fail to Replace Developers? – ESL Lesson Plan

Did AI Fail to Replace Developers? – ESL Lesson Plan

ESL lesson on artificial intelligence and software developers inspired by Mackard video about AI replacing programmers

This comprehensive ESL lesson plan explores one of the most pressing topics in the modern workplace: the impact of artificial intelligence on software development and the tech job market. Inspired by the popular Mackard YouTube video “Why Replacing Developers with AI is Going Horribly Wrong,” this lesson takes students through the dramatic rise and sobering reality of AI in the tech industry.

Students will:

  • Learn about the impact of artificial intelligence on the tech industry through watching an authentic Mackard YouTube video titled Why Replacing Developers with AI is Going Horribly Wrong
  • Expand their technical and business vocabulary by learning and matching key terms such as agentic, backlog, surge, AI washing, logical landmine, and death spiral
  • Practise listening comprehension through two staged viewing tasks that assess both detailed understanding and overall comprehension of the video content
  • Express personal opinions and engage in critical thinking through three rounds of small group discussion – first responding to predictions about AI, then analysing the video’s arguments, and finally using new vocabulary in personal and professional contexts
  • Strengthen contextual vocabulary usage through a gap-fill exercise with target words such as realign, sideline, misread, suppress, and integrate

By the end of this lesson, your students will not only have expanded their vocabulary and practised their listening skills but will also be equipped to participate in informed discussions about AI and the future of work. Whether you are teaching business English, technical English, or general English, this lesson will engage and challenge your students from start to finish.

Get this lesson your way

Buy Lesson – €3.99

One-time purchase. Download PDF instantly.

Subscribe & Unlock All Lessons

Unlimited access to every lesson. New lessons weekly. Cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Log in here.

Teach English through AI, software development, and the future of tech careers.

English Levels: ,
Time:
Core Skills: , ,
Professional & Academic Contexts:
Real-life Situations: ,
Themes / Topics for Discussion:
Collection:
Students discussing AI technology software development and future jobs in English classroom lesson

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I get with an ESL lesson plan subscription?

With a subscription, you get unlimited access to our full ESL lesson library, including printable worksheets, teacher guides, and new lessons added every week. All resources are organized by English level, skill, and theme, making it easy to find ready-made ESL materials for any class.

Who can use your ready-made ESL lesson plans?

Our lesson packs are designed for ESL teachers, online tutors, language schools, and homeschooling parents. They’re flexible for one-on-one tutoring or group classes, and can be used both online (Zoom, Google Meet) and in-person.

Can I preview ESL lessons before subscribing?

Yes! You can download free ESL sample lessons to check the quality and structure before subscribing. You can also view lesson summaries on each product page.

What happens if I cancel my ESL lesson subscription?

You’ll keep full access until the end of your billing period. After that, your access to the lesson library pauses – but you can reactivate anytime and continue where you left off.

Teacher Reviews

No teacher reviews yet. Be the first to share how this lesson worked in class.

EXPLORE THE LATEST LESSONS