This B2 ESL lesson explores the topic “Should You Stop Eating Out?”, helping students discuss modern spending habits and evaluate the pros and cons of eating out compared to cooking at home. Learners consider why people eat out so often today, including convenience, social life, lifestyle habits, and financial pressure, and discuss whether it is a necessary part of modern life or an expensive luxury.

Students learn and use key vocabulary related to money and everyday spending, such as fixed costs, inflation, mark-up, compound interest, emergency fund, overhead, and cut back on, as well as useful phrases for giving opinions and justifying ideas, such as “I think…”, “In my opinion…”, “It depends because…”, and “The main reason is…”.

Through reading, ranking tasks, case studies, “run the numbers” activities, and speaking and debate exercises, students practise explaining financial choices, comparing lifestyles, and evaluating spending habits. They also develop confidence in discussing real-world money issues in clear, structured English.

This lesson is ideal for B2 learners who are developing their ability to give reasons, analyse everyday decisions, and take part in longer, more critical speaking discussions on practical and thought-provoking topics.

1. Warm Up: Logos
2. Necessity or Luxury? 
3. Video: Key Words
4. Video: Comprehension 
5. Ranking: Reasons to Eat Out.
6. Discussion
7. Run the numbers: Case Studies.  
8. Debate
9. Would you rather? 

Homework

There is an excellent homework task to supplement this awesome B2 ESL lesson plan. Students are challenged to read a detailed article and write answers to topic-based questions. Activity layout:

1. Article: Eating Out Pros and Cons
2. Writing task.