Lesson Overview
In this C1/C2 ESL lesson plan, students explore the purpose of education and consider whether schools should focus primarily on academic knowledge, practical skills, personal development, or preparation for employment. They begin by examining different views on what education should achieve before exploring how schools can influence the way people think, communicate and approach unfamiliar situations.
Students develop advanced vocabulary related to education, learning and personal development while completing comprehension and discussion activities based on the topic. They explore the importance of independent thinking, creativity, problem-solving and adaptability, as well as the value of subjects that may not have an obvious practical purpose.
The lesson also examines the wider social role of education, including its potential to create opportunities and reduce inequality. Through discussion and personalised activities, students are encouraged to question traditional ideas about academic success and consider what a successful education system should ultimately provide.
- Warm Up: Where Did You Learn?
- Video: Vocabulary
- Video: Guilty or Not Guilty?
- Video: Analysis
- Would the Speaker Approve?
- Debate
- Picture Round
- Discussion
- Famous Quotes
Homework
There is an excellent homework task to supplement this C1/C2 ESL lesson plan. Students read an engaging article exploring the purpose of education before completing comprehension questions. Activity Layout.
- Article: The Purpose of Education
- Writing TasK
