New lesson plan: Life's too short (3C)

osamacanaan

Life's too short (3C) - B2 level

Life's too short (3C)
B2 level

Description

In this lesson, students learn to summarise an argument through reading three short texts about everyday disagreements. The lesson starts with a warm-up where students order words by strength (debate, argument, fight, war) and a pair discussion about who they argue with. This is followed by reading and vocabulary work where students match causes to disagreements, identify who is in the right, and replace underlined phrases with argument vocabulary (e.g., clashed with, backed down, picked a fight). Students then retell the stories in pairs. Finally, there is a language focus on forming adjectives using suffixes (-ish, -less, -ful, -ic, -ous, -able, -y), with controlled practice completing adjective forms and identifying their positive/negative/neutral meanings.

Materials

No materials added to this plan yet.

Main Aims

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to summarise an argument (function) using target argument vocabulary (e.g., clash with, back down, pick a fight, find a compromise, underlying issue) and correctly form adjectives from nouns/verbs using suffixes (grammar).

Subsidiary Aims

To provide clarification of language used for Describing disagreements / Expressing conflict and resolution (or more simply: Talking about arguments) in the context of Everyday arguments at home (flatmates), work (intern vs co-workers), or with family (mother-in-law)
To provide review, practice and clarification of language used for Disagreeing politely or Stating your position in an argument in the context of The three stories (vegetarian vs mother-in-law, intern vs co-workers, flatmate vs flatmate)

Procedure (34-45 minutes)

Warmer/Lead-in (3-5 minutes) • To set lesson context and engage students

T writes on board: argument, disagreement, war, debate, fight. Ss in pairs discuss differences and order by strength. T nominates a few to share.

Exposure (8-10 minutes) • To provide context for the target language through a text or situation

Ss read three short texts ("Was it really worth it?"). First, match each disagreement to a cause (food, work, housework) - Ex 2a. Then, in pairs, discuss who is in the right - Ex 2b. T monitors.

Highlighting (2-3 minutes) • To draw students' attention to the target language

T writes or displays key argument phrases from texts on board (e.g., didn't see eye to eye, clashed with, backed down, picks a fight). Ss find them in texts. T elicits meaning from context. No full clarification yet.

Clarification (8-10 minutes) • To clarify the meaning, form and pronunciation of the target language

T selects 5-6 essential argument phrases (e.g., clash with, back down, pick a fight, see eye to eye, gang up on, find a compromise). 1. clash with (someone) Meaning: to argue or disagree strongly with someone CCQs: Is it a friendly conversation? (No.) Do they agree or disagree? (Disagree.) Is it a small disagreement or a strong one? (Strong.) 2. back down Meaning: to stop arguing or admit you were wrong CCQs: Do you continue arguing? (No.) Do you say the other person is right? (Yes, possibly.) Is it easy to back down? (Usually no - it's difficult.) 3. pick a fight (with someone) Meaning: to deliberately start an argument with someone CCQs: Does the argument happen by accident? (No.) Does the person want to argue? (Yes.) Who starts it - the person who picks the fight? (Yes.) 4. see eye to eye (with someone) Meaning: to agree with someone / have the same opinion CCQs: Do you have the same opinion? (Yes.) If you see eye to eye, do you argue? (No.) Is this positive or negative? (Positive.)

Controlled Practice (8-10 minutes) • To concept check and prepare students for more meaningful practice

Ss complete Exercise 3 (replace underlined phrases with bold phrases) individually, then check in pairs. T goes over answers.

Semi-Controlled Practice (5-7 minutes) • To concept check further and prepare students for free practice

In pairs, Ss close books and retell one of the three stories using target phrases. T monitors and notes errors.