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Unit pack

School Life Unit: ESL Activities for Teens

Teens have strong views about school. Let them use them: rules, timetables, the ideal school.

Age
Ages 12–17
Level
A2–B2
Skill
Vocabulary · Speaking
Time
45 min
Format
Teacher guide
More in the library

What's in the pack

6 free resources from the site, ready for the board or the printer.

A 45-minute lesson

One way to run the pack as a full lesson. Swap any step for your coursebook's own activity.

  1. 5min

    1. Warm-up

    Opinion line: one wall is 'I love school', the other 'I can't wait to finish'. Students stand where they are and give one reason.

  2. 10min

    2. Present

    A quick run through the have to slides as a model, then list your school's real rules on the board.

    Grammar slides: have to (what life demands) →
  3. 10min

    3. Practise

    Must / mustn't in two slides, then small groups write five rules for a school on Mars.

    Grammar slides: must and mustn't (rules) →
  4. 15min

    4. Speak

    The B1 education questions in threes (groups from the group maker), each with a role: asker, timekeeper, reporter.

    Discussion questions: Education →
  5. 5min

    5. Wrap-up

    Reporters share the most surprising opinion; for homework, one learning-languages question in three sentences.

    Discussion questions: Learning Languages →

Total: 45 minutes

Three extra practice tasks

Written for this theme, no printing needed. Use them as fillers, homework ideas or a second lesson.

  1. 1. The ideal timetable

    Pairs design a week's timetable with one new subject and defend it to the class.

    Model languageWe'd add 'Cooking' on Fridays because everyone needs to eat.

  2. 2. Rule court

    Choose one school rule. Half the class argues to keep it, half to change it; a 'judge' decides.

    Model languageWe think students shouldn't have to wear a uniform, because…

  3. 3. Advice for a new student

    Write a short message to a new student: three things they have to do and two they mustn't.

    Model languageYou have to be on time for maths. You mustn't eat in the library!