Lesson Overview
This C1 ESL lesson explores the topic of credit cards, encouraging students to consider whether they are a useful financial tool or a source of debt, overspending, and financial stress.
Learners examine how credit cards influence consumer behaviour, how banks and credit card companies profit from borrowing, and how advertising, social pressure, and reward schemes shape people's financial decisions. They watch a TED-Ed video about the history of credit cards, explore key financial vocabulary, and consider the wider economic and social consequences of consumer debt.
This lesson is ideal for C1 learners who want to develop their speaking, listening, reading, and critical thinking skills while expanding their financial vocabulary and discussing the role of credit cards in modern society.
- Warm Up: Advertisements
- Relationship with Money
- Video: Key Words
- Video: Comprehension
- Credit Cards: Who Benefits?
- Credit Cards: Discussion
- Government Laws: Credit Cards
- Debate: Credit Cards
- Credit Cards: Case Studies
Homework
Students read an article exploring the problems associated with credit card usage before answering detailed comprehension questions about interest rates, impulsive spending, missed payments, reward schemes, and the impact of debt on personal relationships and future plans.
- Article: Credit Cards: The Problems
- Reading Comprehension
