Vocabulary and discussion
Some of the topics our B1 ESL lesson plans are based on are human relationships, personal characteristics, sense of humour, loanwords, brand names, wishes and regrets, shopping, traveling, feelings, basic business communications, and many more to come.
Speaking exercises
Expanding vocabulary and mastering intermediate grammatical structures are not the only challenges at B1 level. Another required competence is speaking skills, so oral activities should concern many different topics, such as everyday life, travel, interpersonal relationships, or shopping. What distinguishes B1 speaking activities from those at A1 and A2 levels is not only the ability to describe events and situations but also to express feelings, describe dreams, intentions and opinions. All these are more advanced skills required at this level.
Discussion skills as one of the ways to test B1 speaking activities
An excellent example of speaking exercises is a discussion about a movie you have watched or an article you have read. This type of B1 speaking activities also allows you to test the ability to analyse previously watched or read material and thus the ability to fully understand it. Speaking activities can be used not only during discussions but also when discussing presentations or expressing opinions on a given topic.
B1 Intermediate student is expected to:
- understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
- be able to deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling
- be able produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest
- discuss their personal and professional hopes and dreams for the future
- arrange a job interview and interview for a job in their area of expertise
- describe their education and plans for future
- talk about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and give and get advice about healthy habits
- talk about their taste in movies, music, fashion, and art
- talk about relationships and dating, including meeting people through social media
- know how to order and buy different products and services
- discuss polite behavior and respond appropriately to impolite behavior.
Check out our B2 – Upper-intermediate lesson plans!