News & Current Events
Bring the real world into class with ready-to-go topical discussions.
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Correcting the Map, Correcting History – ESL Lesson Plan
Take your B1-B2 students into the debate around world maps, distortion, and global representation with this thought-provoking lesson based on a UN News article and a TED-Ed video. Students develop reading, listening, vocabulary, speaking, critical thinking, and presentation skills as they explore why some maps make Africa look smaller, compare different projections, and discuss whether…
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Too Young for Social Media? Exploring the UK’s Social Media Ban – ESL Lesson Plan
Get your B1-B2 students discussing online safety, personal freedom, and government control with this engaging news-based lesson on the UK’s proposed social media ban for under-16s. Students develop listening, vocabulary, passive voice, speaking, discussion, and critical thinking skills as they analyse different perspectives and debate whether young people should be kept off major platforms.
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Ticket Scandal: FIFA Faces Questions – ESL Lesson Plan
Bring a real-world sports controversy into your B2 classroom with this lesson based on an authentic BBC News segment about FIFA’s ticketing investigation. Students develop listening, vocabulary, critical thinking, research, and presentation skills as they discuss ticket prices, consumer protection, fairness, and who really gets access to the world’s biggest football tournament.
English Level: B2 -
Tech Layoffs in the Age of AI – ESL Lesson Plan
Explore how AI is reshaping the world of work with this B2 lesson based on an authentic CBS News report about Meta’s layoffs and high-risk AI strategy. Students develop listening, vocabulary, reported speech, critical thinking, and speaking skills as they discuss corporate responsibility, job cuts, and the future of technology in the workplace.
English Level: B2 -
No More Late Show with Colbert – ESL Lesson Plan
A topical media lesson on Colbert, late-night TV, political comedy, and cancellation. Students discuss censorship, business pressure, media power, and fairness while developing advanced vocabulary, listening, and critical thinking.
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The Pentagon’s UFO Videos Released – ESL Lesson Plan
A high-interest lesson on declassified UFO videos, government transparency, and unexplained phenomena. Students practise modal verbs of deduction while building listening skills, vocabulary, and fluency through lively debates about aliens, drones, and scientific evidence.
English Level: B2 -
What Do You Know About Hantavirus? – ESL Lesson Plan
A real-world health lesson based on BBC reporting about hantavirus. Students learn medical and outbreak vocabulary, practise dependent prepositions, and discuss risk, media coverage, and public health while developing listening comprehension and critical thinking.
English Level: B2 -
Fuel Crisis: Is Your Summer Holiday at Risk? – ESL Lesson Plan
A timely travel-and-news lesson about fuel shortages, cancelled flights, and holiday disruption. Students build vocabulary, practise listening, and discuss airport rules, contingency plans, and how travellers should respond when summer plans suddenly change.
English Level: B2 -
Apple’s Next Chapter: Who Is John Ternus? – ESL Lesson Plan
A business-and-technology lesson about Apple’s next chapter and the leadership challenge of replacing an iconic CEO. Students explore company culture, succession, innovation, and career pressure while practising authentic news listening and business vocabulary.
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The Day Netflix Went Down: A Stranger Things Mystery – ESL Lesson Plan
A pop-culture technology lesson on the day Netflix went down during Stranger Things. Students discuss streaming, fandom, outages, and customer expectations while practising vocabulary and storytelling.
