LESSON OVERVIEW

In this ESL lesson about political campaigns, students watch a video, learn and practise useful vocabulary and talk about elections and campaign strategies.

VOCABULARY & VIDEO

In the warm-up activity of this ESL lesson about political campaigns, students discuss the importance of voting. Then, they read seven statements about political advertising and match some expressions (e.g. smear campaign, lobby for, political spin) with their meanings.They also need to choose up to three statements that resonate with them most. They have to explain why they agree or disagree with them. Then, students watch the first part of the video and explain how US political ads have changed over the years. Before watching the second part, they predict what is driving the change. They watch the second part of the video and check their answers. 

DISCUSSION

Students discuss some questions about the video. For instance, they talk about political campaigns and politicians on social media. Then, students read a text about a smear campaign. They need to complete the gaps with one word where necessary to create phrases like run for office, come out ahead, drop out of a race.

Later, students answer some questions provided in the teacher’s version of the worksheet and in the e-lesson plan. The topics include: students’ opinion on smear campaigns and other examples of those, as well as other campaign strategies. In the final task of this ESL lesson about political campaigns, students read some quotes about politics and election. They need to pick one and explain what they think of it. 

HOMEWORK/REVISION

Our ESL lesson about political campaigns also includes an additional vocabulary task. It’s 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 if you teach online.