ESL Lesson: Talking About Inspiring Women

Ever feel like your ESL students need a jolt of inspiration and practical language skills? I get it. Sometimes those textbook topics just don't cut it. They need something real, something that sparks genuine interest. This lesson plan aims to do just that.

What's Inside This ESL Lesson?

This B1-level ESL lesson focuses on describing influential women, using Jane Goodall as a central figure. It's designed to boost speaking confidence, nail down present perfect grammar, and get your students thinking critically. Inside, you'll find:

• Engaging discussion prompts to get students sharing their own ideas.
• A motivational reading text about Jane Goodall's incredible legacy.
• Targeted present perfect practice exercises (multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks).
• Presentation prep activities to build fluency and confidence.

Classroom-Ready Ideas for Impactful Learning

Here's how you can bring this lesson to life in your classroom:

1. "My Influential Woman" Presentation: After the lesson, have students choose a woman (historical or contemporary) who inspires them. They research her achievements and prepare a short presentation for the next class. This extends the lesson and encourages independent learning.
2. "Then & Now" Timeline Activity: Divide students into groups and assign each group a different influential woman from history. Have them create a timeline highlighting key events in her life, using the present perfect to describe her accomplishments up to the present day. This reinforces grammar in a visual and engaging way.
3. "If I Could Ask..." Role-Play: Students imagine they have the opportunity to interview Jane Goodall (or another influential woman). They prepare a list of questions using the present perfect (e.g., "What challenges have you faced in your career?") and then role-play the interview in pairs. This promotes spontaneous speaking and active listening.

This lesson is perfect for communicative ESL classes, exam prep (especially speaking sections!), and those days when you want to weave in some critical thinking. It's designed to be adaptable, so feel free to tweak it to fit your students' specific needs and interests. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to bring more women's history into your ESL classroom!

Ready to save yourself an hour of prep? Grab the free Describing Influential Women PDF right here and let me know how your students like it!