ESL Lesson Plan Why Is Moving Abroad So Difficult?

In this B1 ESL lesson plan, students explore the challenges and experiences of moving abroad and consider how living in another country can change you. They begin by discussing different aspects of life abroad, learning useful verbs and adjectives, and considering what might be easy or difficult about starting a new life in another country.

Students then read an article about moving from Manchester to Madrid and listen to an audio about moving from Sydney to Japan. They practise reading and listening comprehension while exploring common challenges such as language barriers, homesickness, loneliness, cultural differences, and adapting to everyday life.

The lesson also includes vocabulary activities focusing on words such as get used to, struggle, settle, homesick, overwhelmed, frustrated, enthusiastic, and curious. Students then work through realistic case studies, discuss possible solutions, and take part in a range of “Would you rather?” questions about living abroad. The lesson finishes with a decision-making task where students imagine moving to Japan and choose how they would approach different aspects of their new life.