Can we put our trust in renewables?

In this ESL lesson, the student will learn vocabulary related to renewable sources of energy and practice using conjunctions of contrast.

Opening discussion: How do we power the world?

The student shares their knowledge about different sources of energy and alternatives to fossil fuels. They try to identify energy sources in pictures and then decide whether they are renewable or non-renewable.

Furthermore, they match the sources of energy to the method of harvesting them.

Video: Can 100% renewable energy power the world?

After watching the video explaining how renewable sources of energy work, the student answers questions based on the video and then fills in the gaps with the missing figures.

Pros and cons of renewables

Based on the list of pros and cons of different renewables, the student decides which energy source the pros and cons apply to.

Conjunctions

Conjunctions of contrast are introduced as well as the rules of their use (e.g. however, in spite of, although, but, etc.). 

The student puts their knowledge into practice by merging two sentences and adding a conjunction. Then, they choose the correct conjunctions to complete the sentences. 

New conjunction groups are introduced in a table for the student to come up with the purpose for each of them.

Reading: Benefits and drawbacks of renewable energy

First, the student reads an article about benefits of renewable energy and identifies all the conjunctions. Then, they read another article, about drawbacks of renewables and do the same. 

Discussion

The student discusses their close experience with renewable sources of energy, situation in their home country energy-wise, and gives their own opinion on renewables.

In the last part of the lesson, the student picks a card with an opinion about the topic and explains why they agree or disagree with it.