B2-Level: Society and Global Issues
Objective
By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Debate social issues, global challenges, and cultural diversity.
- Use vocabulary related to social issues, global problems, and cultural awareness.
- Comprehend news articles, opinion pieces, and case studies on societal and global topics.
- Listen to and analyze panel discussions, TED talks, and interviews on related subjects.
- Write opinion essays, letters to the editor, and proposals for social change.
Duration:
180 minutes, divided into four 45-minutes sessions
Materials Needed
- News articles, opinion pieces, and case studies on social and global issues.
- Audio recordings (e.g., panel discussions, TED talks, interviews).
- Writing materials (e.g., templates for essays or letters).
- Visual aids (e.g., charts, infographics on global challenges).
Session 1: Introduction to Social Issues & Vocabulary Development
- Objective: Familiarize students with social issues and global challenges, and introduce relevant vocabulary.
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Brief discussion: “What is the biggest social or global issue in your opinion?”
- Share a few examples (e.g., climate change, poverty, cultural diversity).
Vocabulary Exploration (20 minutes)
- Present vocabulary: social issues (e.g., inequality, discrimination), global challenges (e.g., deforestation, overpopulation), and cultural diversity terms (e.g., tolerance, multicultural).
- Use visual aids or images to represent these concepts.
- Practice activities:
- Match vocabulary to definitions or images.
- Create sentences using the new terms.
Reading Comprehension (15 minutes)
- Distribute a short opinion piece or article about a relevant social issue (e.g., inequality or climate change).
- Focus on key ideas, new vocabulary, and understanding the author’s opinion.
Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
- Quick recap: “What are some key social issues we discussed today?”
- Homework: Students research one social or global issue and bring one fact to the next lesson.
Session 2: Exploring Global Challenges Through Listening and Debate
- Objective: Practice listening comprehension and develop speaking skills through debates.
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Students share the facts they researched as a class brainstorming session.
Listening Activity (20 minutes)
- Play a segment of a TED talk or podcast on a global challenge (e.g., climate change, poverty).
- Provide students with a listening worksheet (e.g., note three key points, one proposed solution, and one surprising fact).
- Discuss the audio: “What did you find most interesting? Do you agree with the speaker?”
Speaking Practice: Debate (20 minutes)
- Divide the class into pairs or small groups and assign debate topics:
- E.g., “Should governments focus more on climate change or income inequality?”
- Each group prepares arguments and counterarguments for 5 minutes.
- Groups present and respond to each other’s points.
Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
- Reflect on debate performance and language used.
- Homework: Students read a news article or case study on a global issue and highlight three key points for the next lesson.
Session 3: In-Depth Reading and Critical Thinking
- Objective: Enhance reading comprehension and discuss issues critically.
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Review the homework: Students share one key point from the article or case study they read.
Reading Comprehension (25 minutes)
- Provide a detailed article, opinion piece, or case study on a global issue (e.g., deforestation, inequality).
- Students work in pairs to:
- Identify the main argument and supporting points.
- Highlight new or useful vocabulary.
- Answer comprehension questions.
- Discuss as a class: “What is the author’s perspective? Do you agree?”
Speaking Practice (10 minutes)
- Discuss in small groups: “If you could solve one global issue, what would it be and why?”
Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
- Summarize the reading and key vocabulary learned.
- Homework: Students write a 150-word response to the article, agreeing or disagreeing with the author and explaining why.
Session 4: Writing for Change
- Objective: Develop persuasive writing skills through structured exercises.
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- Discuss: “What can individuals do to address global challenges?”
Writing Practice: Proposals and Letters (30 minutes)
- Introduce writing formats:
- Proposals: State the problem, suggest solutions, and justify them.
- Letters to the editor: State your opinion, support it with evidence, and call for action.
- Provide writing prompts:
- Proposal: “How would you address food waste in your community?”
- Letter: “Write a response to an article about climate change denial.”
- Students choose a task and draft individually or in pairs.
Peer Review & Sharing (10 minutes)
- Students exchange their writing for feedback on structure and clarity.
- Volunteers share their ideas with the class.
Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
- Recap writing tips: clarity, strong arguments, and structure.
- Homework: Finalize the draft of their proposal or letter and submit it.
Homework
- Research Assignment:
- Research a global challenge (e.g., climate change, refugee crises, or technology’s impact on society). Write a one-page proposal suggesting practical solutions.
- Vocabulary Review:
- Use new terms in 3-5 sentences describing a current global issue.
Assessment Plan:
- Speaking: Monitor participation in debates and discussions, assessing fluency and vocabulary use.
- Reading: Review comprehension responses and evaluate their ability to identify key points.
- Listening: Assess notes and class discussions from TED talks or podcasts.
- Writing: Grade final drafts of proposals or letters on coherence, persuasiveness, and vocabulary accuracy.