Category Archives: Downloadable lesson materials

Another lesson plan designed for the British Council Teaching English site, this lesson, aimed at higher level learners (C1+) explores what it is like to be left handed – the advantages, the disadvantages and the prejudices left-handed people may face.

The lesson begins with an optional video, and then leads into a reading text in the style of an online article. Students carry out two exam-style tasks – matching summaries to paragraphs and identifying if statements about the text are true or false.

After some discussion of the content of the text, students focus on  grammar showcased in the article – relative clauses, reduced relative clauses and present participle clauses. This should review what students already know and add a little more to their understanding of the area.

If time, students can then go on to write about another group who often experience prejudice, using relative clauses where appropriate.

Aims:

• Raise awareness of the issues related to being left-handed, and consider prejudice in general
• Develop the skills of reading for gist (multiple matching) and specific info (true/false)
• Encourage students to justify/back up their answers to true/false questions.
• Review defining and non-defining relative clauses and look at reduced relative clauses and clauses using present participles instead of a relative clause.
• Develop listening skills though an optional video lead-in
• Develop writing skills and practice using relative clauses accurately and appropriately thought an optional writing activity.

The lesson materials can be found here.