DESCRIBING PLACES ESL LESSON PLAN DESCRIPTION
OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES
This ESL lesson plan on describing places offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials tailored for beginner A1 students. In this lesson, students will:
Explore elements of nature through matching and color activities
Listen to the song and complete lyrics with nature-related vocabulary
Discuss their thoughts on the song and match descriptions to favorite places
Practice sensory descriptions by writing about their favorite locations
Collaborate with classmates to describe their favorite places
PREVIEW & DISCUSSION
In the preview section of this ESL lesson plan on describing places, students begin by engaging with various elements of nature. They match different nature-related words, such as “rainbow” and “trees,” to corresponding images, which helps them visualize and connect with the vocabulary. Next, students complete the names of colors by filling in missing vowels, reinforcing their understanding of color vocabulary. Finally, students describe the colors of the natural elements they identified earlier, providing them with an opportunity to practice using descriptive language in context.
VIEWING ACTIVITY
During the viewing activity, students watch the music video for “What a Wonderful World,” where Louis Armstrong delivers a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of life and nature. The video features vibrant scenes showcasing joyful moments and stunning landscapes. As they watch, students tick off colors they hear mentioned in the song. They then complete the lyrics by filling in missing nature elements and choose the correct lyrics from options provided, enhancing their listening skills and attention to detail.
VIEWING FOLLOW-UP
In the viewing follow-up, students participate in a discussion about their feelings towards the song, choosing emojis to express their opinions. They analyze the song’s message, discussing whether it is positive or negative and why. Students also share their favorite colors and identify two items of that color. Following this, they read descriptions of different favorite places and match them to the correct locations, which encourages comprehension and connection to personal experiences. Finally, students finish descriptions using sensory verbs—see, hear, smell, and like—further enhancing their descriptive language skills.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE PLACE
In the activation stage, students choose to either write about their favorite place or describe a specific image to a partner. For Option A, they think about their favorite location and write details about what they see, hear, smell, and enjoy doing there. They then share their descriptions with a classmate, asking questions to foster discussion. In Option B, students describe the sensory experiences related to an image of people camping or enjoying a garden party, while their partner guesses the setting. This activity encourages creative expression and reinforces the vocabulary and structures they learned throughout the lesson.
BENEFITS OF THIS ESL LESSON PLAN ON DESCRIBING PLACES
This lesson plan integrates listening, speaking, and descriptive language skills through engaging activities.
It encourages students to connect with the content personally and enhances their motivation to learn.
The structured approach to vocabulary acquisition and practice suits various language levels.
Collaborative activities promote peer interaction and communication, which builds confidence in using English.
The focus on sensory descriptions allows students to express their thoughts and feelings vividly, making their language use more engaging and relatable.
VIDEO DESCRIPTION
In “What a Wonderful World,” Louis Armstrong sings a joyful tribute to life’s simple beauties. The music video showcases vibrant nature and happy moments, all while Armstrong’s gravelly voice celebrates love, laughter, and the wonders around us. It’s a delightful reminder to appreciate the little things in life!
LESSON ACTIVITIES
- SPEAKING: Elements of Nature, Colors, Senses, Describing Places
- VIEWING: Colors, Lyrics (elements of nature), Lyrics (word choice)
- VOCABULARY: Elements of Nature, Colors, Senses, Describing Places
- GRAMMAR: Present Simple (senses)
- ADDITIONAL: Tell Me About Your Favorite Place, Quiz & Review, Lesson Reflection
LESSON TOPICS
Elements of Nature, Colors, Senses, Describing Places