- Levels: B2C1C2
- Lesson Types: Lesson Plans
- Recommended for: Download and GoScreen Sharing
- Themes:
At a Glance
Preparation
Exercise Summary
At a Glance
- Topic: Memory and how it works in everyday scenarios.
- Skills: Vocabulary building, speaking, and discussing real-life situations.
- Target Language: Vocabulary around memory (e.g., “vividly,” “vaguely,” “jog your memory”).
- Timing: 45–60 minutes.
- Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
Preparation
- Materials Needed:
- The handout with phrases and vocabulary exercises.
- A whiteboard or equivalent to note down key ideas (e.g., “That’s so me” vs. “That’s not me at all”).
- Teacher Prep:
- Familiarise yourself with the Vocabulary Focus answers:
- jog your memory
- from memory
- earliest memory
- ring a bell
- remember only vaguely
- remember vividly
- Review the Speaking II scenarios for discussing memory lapses and normal vs. worrying signs.
- Familiarise yourself with the Vocabulary Focus answers:
- Setup:
- Arrange the class for group or pair discussions.
- Ensure students understand how to categorise memory scenarios (normal vs. concerning).
Exercise Summary
- Speaking I:
- Students reflect on phrases about memory and identify which ones describe them.
- Classify responses as “That’s so me” or “That’s not me at all.”
- Vocabulary Focus:
- Fill in the blanks with appropriate vocabulary.
- Discuss answers and explore the adjectives “vague” and “vivid.”
- Speaking II:
- Students discuss memory-related scenarios (e.g., forgetting a book’s title, losing keys) and decide if they are normal or concerning.
- Encourage sharing personal experiences and agreeing/disagreeing with opinions.
UPDATED! Screen-share version now available.
This ESL lesson plan for B2+ to C2 explores the memory and introduces students to many related expressions and collocations.
Detailed Description
Students start by deciding how identified they feel with certain expressions about memories, such as, “I’ve got a memory like a sieve.” They then go on to view more collocations, and finish with a speaking exercise about how some typical events are signs of normal memory lapses, while others are signs of memory loss. This class might touch a sensitive topic for anyone dealing with memory loss.