LESSON OVERVIEW

The main objectives of this ESL lesson about tech problems are to:

• discuss real-life tech frustrations;
• watch a video about tech pet peeves;
• learn and practise vocabulary for tech troubles.

With this lesson, students explore statistics about mobile phones in the UK, talk about smartphone use and watch a video where people talk about their tech pet peeves. They practise vocabulary for discussing tech problems, chat about the effects of technology on daily life and share their experiences and thoughts. 

WARM-UP AND VIDEO

This ESL lesson about tech problems begins with a warm-up. Students read the statistics about mobile phones in the UK. They complete gaps with percentages (e.g. In 2023, 50% of nine-year-olds owned a smartphone.). Afterwards, students discuss questions about smartphone use and reactions to the statistics. Then, they watch a video where people talk about their tech pet peeves and write down things people mention. Following that, students complete sentences from the video with the correct words (e.g. I think technology gets/creates/makes us stupid.). They then watch the video again to check their answers.

DISCUSSION

In this part of this ESL lesson about tech problems, students match statements about technology pet peeves (e.g. For me, technology is such a time-waste.) with extra information (e.g. I hate that I always check social media when I could be reading a book instead.). After that, they look at the statements again, say if they are true for them and add details. Students then complete words with their missing letters in questions about dealing with technology and its effects on daily life. Afterwards, they discuss the questions. Finally, students choose tech pet peeves from a list and discuss personal experiences and ways to avoid those problems. Then, they think of one more tech pet peeve and talk about it.

HOMEWORK/REVISION

This lesson plan also includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. In the task, students complete sentences with the target vocabulary from the lesson. They then choose sentences and add responses. 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.