ESL Uncaged

Advanced lesson plan (B2 and above): What can science tell us about queuing? -   BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Social scientists have found queuing behaviour is governed by "the rule of six". On average, we will wait six minutes in a queue before giving up in frustration. In addition, people are unlikely to join a queue that has more than six people in it. Finally, six inches (15cm) of personal space is the minimum distance required between participants in a queue to avoid stress.  In this B2+ worksheet, students will  Study a video about the science of queuing Learn six line-related  idioms Discuss six phrasal verbs based on WAIT (to WAIT around, to WAIT on someone, to WAIT up for someone, etc.) See  advanced adjectives  to describe people waiting in line Read and answer questions about the "rule of six" in queuing Differentiate between  negative modal verbs of obligation (mustn't, shouldn't, to not have to) Educational material...

Advanced lesson plan (B2 and above): What causes your leg to fall asleep? -   BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content If you've ever sat cross-legged for too long, you'll know how quickly your leg can lose sensation. Inevitably, that numbness is followed by an oh-so painful case of pins and needles as your leg "wakes up".  In this B2+ worksheet, students will  Study a video about the science of pins and needles Learn six leg-related  idioms Match six pictures with  phrasal verbs based on STEP See  pun-ny leg-related jokes  Read and answer questions about innervated prosthetic legs Learn how to use the verb "wish" in unreal and real situations Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee! Click  HERE   f or the worksheet answers  Lesson objectives: 1) To match six pictures with STEP-related phrasal verbs (to step down, to step in, step on it, step back, to step...

Advanced lesson plan (B2 and above): Did Coca-Cola really use to contain cocaine? -    BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Coca-Cola is available in every country of the world, excluding Cuba and North Korea. Most people have sipped the saccharine, bubbly content from its iconic scarlet can, but few realise Coca-Cola contains coca leaf extract - the very same leaf from which cocaine is derived.  In this B2+ worksheet, students will  Study a video about Coca-Cola's links with cocaine Match Coke-related pictures to four phrasal verbs (THROW away, THROW on, THROW at, THROW up) Practise inversions with negative adverbials, using Coke-related sample sentences Learn six can-related idioms See advanced adjectives used in the marketing of Coca-Cola Read an article about Coca-Cola's 1985 public relations meltdown Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee! Lesson objectives: 1) To match four ...

Advanced lesson plan (B2 and above): Is fire a solid, a liquid or a gas? -    BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Remember the last time you sat around a camp fire. Did you wonder what caused that crackling sound? Or why the flames were thin on top and fat at the bottom? Normally, we are too busy chatting, laughing and toasting marshmallows to care.  In this B2+ worksheet, students will  Study a video about the science of campfires; Learn fire-related idioms;  Do a short exercise about quantifiers (much, many, a lot of, a few);  Find the correct punchlines for pun-ny jokes about fire; Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee!     Lesson objectives: 1) To find two nouns and three adjectives from a vocabulary list that do NOT  describe a photo of a burning forest. 2) To complete a short exercise about quantifiers (i.e. much, many, a lot of, a few). 3) To...

Advanced lesson plan (B2 and above): Why frogs sometimes fall from the sky -  BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content The weather forecast for today: cloudy, cold and with a chance of frog rain. Frog and fish downpours have been widely reported across the world for hundreds of years. But is there any scientifc explanation? In this B2+ worksheet, students will study frog-related puns, a poem and rain-related idioms. They will also put their comprehension skills to work on an article and video about frog rain. Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee! Lesson objectives: 1) To understand nuance and puns with six frog-related jokes. 2) To practise pronunciation and comprehension by reading a tongue-twister poem about a two-toed tree toad (who loved a three-toed ground toad).  3) To explain the mystery of frog rain, using information collected from a short Sci-Show video. 4) To expand the students' r...

Advanced lesson plan (B2 and above): Should police use facial recognition technology? -  BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content   Ever noticed Facebook is able to identify the people in your photos, even before you've tagged them? Facial-recognition algorithms compare features against vast databases and return matches.  But, in the hands of police, is the technology disturbingly intrusive and even racist? Or is it an indispensable tool for catching society's worst criminals?  In this B2+ worksheet, students will study the difference between "like" vs. "as", learn lots of face-related phrases and watch a video about facial-recognition technology being used by London police. Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee!       Lesson objectives: 1) To match six face-related phrases to the appropriate pictures (face lift, to face down, to face off, poker face, to face away, in...

Advanced lesson plan (B2 and above): Are you breathing wrong? -  BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Breathing is natural: nothing difficult about it, right? Actually, there is a "right" and "wrong" way to get oxygen into your lungs, according to experts.  In this B2+ worksheet, students will practise using the passive voice with reporting verbs, see six breath-related idioms and learn lots of relevant vocabulary.   Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee!   Lesson objectives: 1) To match words for different types of breathing with pictures:  to gasp, to wheeze, to pant, to sigh, to sniff, to blow. 2) To practise using the passive voice with reporting verbs, while talking about the alleged benefits/risks of "alternate-nostril breathing". 3) To understand nuance and puns with three breath-related jokes, about an asthmatic, a seabird and an Apple Store.  4) To explain "cor...

Advanced lesson plan (B2 and above): How do animals see the world? -    BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Can sharks see brightly coloured swimsuits? Are dogs really completely colour blind? Can snakes really see infrared light? In this B2+ worksheet, students will learn how different animals see the world, study eye-related idioms, practise using the past perfect and learn four phrasal verbs based on the verb "to see". Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee! Lesson objectives: 1) To learn four phrasal verbs: "to see (something) in", "to see (someone) out", "to see (someone) off", "to see through (something)". Students will be presented with four images, each of which matches with one of the phrasal verbs.  2) To practise using the past perfect, by conjugating verbs into simple past and past perfect, using short texts related to animal vision. 3)...

Advanced lesson plan (B2 and above): How eggs are used to make flu vaccines -   BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Could an egg save your life? Is it possible to hatch a supermarket egg? Can you make cakes without eggs? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in this week's lesson plan! Plus, six egg-related idioms, an exercise involving the subjunctive form of "to be" and some egg-related puns. Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee!    Lesson objectives: 1) Understand colloquial language/puns related to eggs through the study of jokes and idioms 2) Practise explaining scientific concepts and stepwise processes (the production of flu vaccines) using adverbs of sequence (firstly, next, after, then, lastly) 3) Understand how to use "to be" in the subjunctive mood 4) Express one's own opinion about an ethical issue (eating eggs) in response to a text about hatchin...

Advanced lesson plan (B2+): How to win friends and influence people -  BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content In 1937, arguably the most influential self-help book ever was published: How to Win Friends and Influence People , by American author Dale Carnegie.  But how relevant are its lessons in the modern world? Decide for yourself in this week's worksheet, which also introduces six friend-related idioms and phrasal verbs, as well as a mountain of advanced vocabulary. Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee! Lesson activities: 1) To warm up, students will complete five quotes from Carnegie's best-seller, using vocabulary from a list. They will then discuss their thoughts about the advice.  Key vocabulary: to dangle, bristling, temper, shun, vanity, rattlesnakes, to be fond of, incessantly. 2) Students will watch a video (9:00) entitled "How to win friends and influence people - a summary of C...

  Advanced lesson plan (B2 and above): How to survive the apocalypse -    BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Who are the "doomsday preppers"? In light of the global pandemic of 2020, should we all start stockpiling and making contingency plans for future catastrophes? In this B2/C1 worksheet, students will learn some survival tips, discuss the psychology of "doomsday preppers" and learn phrases related to the topics (e.g. "better safe than sorry", "tinfoil hat conspiracy theorists"). Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee!   Lesson activities: 1) To warm up, students will label nine survival items and discuss which three they would want in an apocalyptic scenario. Key vocabulary: axe, backpack, sniper rifle, gas stove, torch, compass, thermos flask, gloves, first aid kit. 2) Students will watch a video (8:41), offering tips on how to survive in the wilderness - fr...

   Advanced lesson plan (B2): What's that ringing in your ears? -  BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content 1 in 8 people have tinnitus. So what causes it? And is there a cure? In this B2+ worksheet, students will study a Ted-Ed video on the causes of tinnitus, as well as the subtle differences between the verbs "to listen", "to hear", "to overhear" and "to eavesdrop". Six idioms related to ears will also be presented to students. Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee!     Lesson activities: 1) To warm up, students will match four images of people in various situations with the verbs "to hear", "to listen", "to eavesdrop" and "to overhear". They will then find the correct punchlines for four pun-ny jokes related to hearing. Key vocabulary: handy, symptoms, to shine, tip of the iceberg. 2) Students will watch a video (5:38) en...

  Advanced lesson plan (B2): Why are planes painted white? -   BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Ever wondered why planes are nearly always painted white? In this FREE B2/C1 worksheet, students will find out why white is the bigwig of the aeronautical world. They will also learn vocabulary related to planes and idioms about flying. Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee!   Lesson activities: 1) To warm up, students will label an image of the inside of a plane. Then, they will match three pun-ny jokes about clowns with their punchlines. Key vocabulary: to take off, to land, altitude, flight attendant, head rest, arm rest. 2) Students will watch a video (6:02) entitled "Why are planes usually painted white?" and answer the comprehension questions.  Key vocabulary: paint job, false economy, first-world problems. 3) Next, students will see  six flying-related idioms: to fly in...

  Advanced lesson plan (B2 and above): What was the Golden Age of Piracy? -  BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Arrr you ready to be transported back to the times when Blackbeard and his men terrorised merchants crossing the Caribbean sea?  In this B2/C1 worksheet, students will learn how pirates came to be associated with parrots and peglegs, as well as six pirate-related idioms and some prepositions of direction for navigating the high seas in search of plunder! Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee! Lesson activities: 1) To warm up, students will use prepositions of direction to guide a cartoon pirate to his treasure; in addition, they will match four pun-ny jokes about pirates with the correct punchlines. 2) Students will watch a video (7:30) about the Golden Age of Piracy (1650s-1730s).  Key vocabulary: treaty, stamp out, backfire, put an end to (something). 3) Next, stud...

Advanced lesson plan (C1): An introduction to Shakespeare -   BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Everyone's heard of William Shakespeare, but for most of us he's not much more than a name and a few dry facts. In this C1 worksheet, we bring Shakespeare to life, discussing the sordid details of Romeo and Juliet's doomed love affair, learning how the poetic meter of the Bard's poems mimicked the BUM-BUM of the human heart, and much more!  Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee!   Lesson activities: 1) Students start by reading a short biography about William Shakespeare, filling in missing words. Key vocabulary: manuscripts, spawned, renowned, prolific. 2) Students will then read Shakespeare's most famous sonnet, 'Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?' They will be aided in their comprehension by information about archaic pronouns, modernised 'translations' of dif...

    Advanced lesson plan (B2 and above): How to make a decision -  BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Ever found it difficult to choose between two paths? This week, we're talking about those crossroads moments in life... In this B2+ worksheet, students will discuss Robert Frost's famous poem, 'The Road Not Taken', look at idioms related to decision-making and watch a video about how to make difficult choices. Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee!   Lesson activities: 1) To begin, students will read possibly the most famous poem in the English language: The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost, and discuss their interpretations. 2) Students will learn  six decision-making idioms/phrases: my way or the highway; to sit on the fence; to take a back seat; the lesser of two evils; all things considered; to flip flop/ They will then answer questions containing these phrases.  3) Ne...

  Advanced lesson plan (B1 and above): Why elephants never forget - BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Elephants have famously long memories: they can remember people who have hurt them and helped them many decades after the event.  In this B1/C1 worksheet, students will learn a host of astounding facts about these gentle giants. Also, they will study six elephant-related idioms, read an ancient Indian allegory about the flappy-eared beasts, and more! Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee! Lesson activities: 1) To warm up, students will read six pun-ny jokes about elephants, and discuss times they've seen elephants in person or on TV.  2) Students will watch a short video (5:22) from Ted-ED about elephants and their fantastic memories.  Key vocabulary: companions, boast, encephalisation quotient, matriarch, to exact revenge. 3) Next, students will see  six elephant-related...

  Advanced lesson plan (B1 and above): How intelligent are crows? -  BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Learn why scientists think crows are as smart as seven-year-old children. In this B1 and above worksheet, students will watch a video about the unique way crows react when a member of their species dies; in addition, they will read a short, cryptic story about a scarecrow; they will study bird- and crow-related idioms; and they will read an article that summarises scientific research on the immense intelligence of these strange corvids. Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee!      Lesson activities: 1) To warm up, students will read a cyrptic story by Lebanese-American writer Kahlil Gibran about a scarecrow and discuss how they interpret it.  Key vocabulary: lasting joy, stuffed, straw, to belittle. 2) Students will watch a short video (4 minutes 34 seconds) about ho...

Advanced lesson plan (B1 and above): The boy who was raised as a girl -  BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content After a botched circumcision, doctors recommended baby Bruce be raised as a girl. He would be happier as a girl than as a boy without a penis, according to the family's psychologist Dr John Money. His true identity was to be kept a secret. In this worksheet, students will discuss the line between nature and nurture, the patient-doctor relationship and a mother who did her best in an impossible position.  Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee! Lesson activities: Part 1: The Accident . Students read the introduction to the medical case study. They must complete the sentences by choosing words from the purple box. There is then a discussion section, where they can practise second and third conditional structures: "If that happened to my son, I would feel devastated"; "If I had bee...

Advanced lesson plan (B2 and above): Why humans are exceptional runners -   BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content Learn why humans are the best long-distance runners in the world! In this B2/C1 worksheet, students will study a short video revealing the physiology hacks that make humans apex runners. In addition, they will see some running-related idioms, match jokes about running with their punchlines and study an article about how to avoid injuries. Educational materials shouldn't be paywalled. Show your support for my ESL content by  buying me a coffee! Lesson activities: 1) To warm up, students will match six running-related jokes with their punchlines. E.g. Why did the marathon runner end up in jail? ANSWER: Because he was resisting a rest! 2) Students will watch a Tech Insider video (3 minutes 49 seconds) about the unique physiological tricks that make humans awesome at long-distance running.  3) Next, students will see  six running-related idioms/phra...