LESSON OVERVIEW

The main objectives of this lesson are to:

• watch and discuss a video about an organisation that recycles half-used hotel soaps;
• learn vocabulary to describe sustainability in the hospitality industry;
• read and discuss a text about an imaginary hotel.

With this lesson about sustainability in the hospitality industry, students discuss waste and sustainability in the hospitality industry! Students watch and discuss a video about an organisation that recycles half-used hotel soaps called CleanTheWorld. Additionally, they learn vocabulary to describe sustainability in the hospitality industry (e.g. get tossed, single-use toiletries). Students also read and discuss a text about an imaginary hotel. They also share their hotel experiences.

WARM-UP AND VOCABULARY

Students begin talking about sustainability in the hospitality industry with a fun warm-up. They read some comments about hotel stays and pick the one which best describes their last hotel experience and explain why they felt that way. Next, students learn the target vocabulary by reading statements (e.g. strict policy, go to waste). They find the definitions listed for the words and phrases included in the statements. After that, they read the statements again and pick three that are true for them or that they agree with, and explain their answer. To get students ready for the video, they look at some items and hypothesise what hotels do with them after guests leave (e.g. dirty towels, untouched snacks).

VIDEO AND DISCUSSION

Students continue exploring sustainability in the hospitality industry by watching the first part of a video about an organisation that recycles used hotel soap called Clean the World. Students practise comprehension skills by answering questions about the video. They continue to work on their listening skills by watching the next part of the video, in which they learn about the soap-recycling process. Learners tick what steps are not mentioned from a list provided. After the video, students discuss more questions about the idea and about sustainable processes in hotels generally. Students finish discussing sustainability in the hospitality industry by reading a text about an imaginary hotel, i.e. “the world’s most sustainable hotel yet”. They discuss questions about the hotel, including the measures it takes, and if these could be realistically implemented in future hotels. 

HOMEWORK/REVISION

This lesson plan also includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. In the task, students complete a dialogue using the correct words. Then, they continue the dialogue with one more question and answer. The task is available in the teacher’s version of the worksheet. You can print it and hand it out to your students. It’s also included in the e-lesson plan.