Why beef is the worst food for the climate

In this Upper-Intermediate ESL lesson, students will learn about why beef is the worst food for the climate and new vocabulary related to climate change and plant and animal species. Students will also learn how to use sensory verbs (see, touch, taste, hear and smell). This lesson will also focus on getting students to discuss issues related to climate change and how it affects their lives.

Warm-up

The lesson starts with a discussion about climate change and the way it affects food supply.

Video: Why beef is the worst food for the climate

Before watching a video, the student gets familiar with the keywords (livestock, footprint, packaging, etc.). After watching the video, the student answers the questions based on it. Then, the student gets to use the keywords they previously learned to complete the sentences. 

Vocabulary: Plant species

The student matches the plants and animals in the pictures with their names (citrus, cassava, poultry, etc.). They sort the foods into those with low and high emissions of greenhouse gas.

Vocabulary: Climate change

The student matches words and phrases related to climate change they heard in the video with their meanings (enteric fermentation, greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide, etc.).

Based on pictures, the student discusses reforestation and deforestation.

Grammar: Sensory verbs

The student learns about the types of sensory verbs and their examples (taste, feel, see, look, etc.).

Based on emojis, the student makes sentences using sensory verbs. Then, they decide which senses are used to experience gasses, plants, vehicles, etc.

Reading and analyzing charts

The student answers questions based on the charts from the video representing greenhouse gas and methane emissions.

In the wrap-up activity, they discuss how climate change affects their life.