LESSON OVERVIEW

The main objectives of this ESL lesson on train rides are to:

• talk about train travel preferences and experiences;
• practise train-related vocabulary;
• watch part of a video about a beginner’s guide to train travel.

Students talk about different types of trains (e.g. high-speed train, inter-city train), explore vocabulary related to train rides (e.g. sockets, platform, sleeper) and discuss their preferences and experiences. They watch a video on a travel guide, compare train systems from different places and talk about buying a train ticket at a ticket office, ticket machine, and online. Students also work in pairs, asking and answering questions about train information.

WARM-UP AND VOCABULARY

This ESL lesson on train rides begins with a warm-up. Students look at different types of trains (high-speed train, inter-city train, panoramic train and steam train) and use them to finish sentences about preferred and recommended trains. They also explain their choices. After that, students discuss questions about train travel habits and preferences. Next, they read sentences and identify words and phrases (e.g. compartment, sockets and platform) to complete a table with different categories (parts of a train, parts of a train station and comfort features). Afterwards, students say which statements from the previous task describe their train travel experience. 

VIDEO AND DISCUSSION

In this part of this ESL lesson on train rides, students watch the first part of a video about train travel and identify its purpose. They then think about missing words in the sentences. After watching the second part of the video, students check their answers. Afterwards, they compare the train system from the video with the one in their country. They consider different points (e.g. cheap and expensive) and use vocabulary related to train travel (e.g. compartment, dining car, lounge). After that, students choose the correct words to complete sentences. Then, they decide which sentences describe buying a train ticket at a ticket office and which describe booking online or at a machine. Next, students create a dialogue about buying tickets and put sentences in the correct order. Finally, they get cards with information about two trains. Students ask their partner questions to fill in missing details and provide answers.

HOMEWORK/REVISION

This lesson plan also includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. In the task, students answer questions to create tips for people travelling by train. They also use train-related vocabulary. 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.