ESL Adult Conversation/Speaking and Vocab Lesson: Meaning of Life (Level B2-C2)

Bored of everyday chit chat? Immerse your students in an in depth and meaningful conversation about the meaning of life.

In this advanced lesson, students will explore the meaning of life from different perspectives . They’ll get to flex their philosophical, scientific and religious vocabulary, while learning to debate a sensitive topic in a graceful yet powerful way. The lesson is adaptable to help students sitting all types of speaking exams, particularly Cambridge and IELTS.

This lesson pack includes:

• Powerpoint Presentation – viewable to anyone with Microsoft Office
• Adapted Presentation for Prezi – viewable to anyone with a free Prezi account
• Adapted Presentation for Google Slides – viewable to anyone with a free Google account
• Digitally Fillable Worksheet (with answers) – viewable to anyone with a browser

Digitally Fillable Worksheet

On receiving the worksheet, your students will be able to type all of their ideas and notes directly into this worksheet, with no word limit. There is even a handy digital check box next to each phrase so that the students can track their use of the new vocabulary throughout the class.

Complete the vocabulary activities in class, or use a flipped classroom model wherein the students complete the worksheet before the class and use the Powerpoint slides to prompt discussion during class. The students can add notes and check off the language on their copy of the worksheet while you work through the slides.

In the worksheet you will find:

• one pre-speaking page with 2 x phrasal verb activities and 2 x idiom activities
• lead-in and warmer questions
• 3 x picture comparison activities with useful vocabulary and phrases
• 3 x discussion/debate activities with useful vocabulary and phrases
• 1 x concluding presentation activity

Language Focus

In the digitally fillable worksheet, your students will find a plethora of handy vocabulary which they can use in context.

Here are some examples of the language addressed in this lesson:

Phrasal Verb Focus:

• go through
• live up to
• sink in
• track down
• bring about

Idiom Focus:

• larger than life
• live life in the fast lane
• fact of life
• a new lease on life
• all walks of life

Useful Vocabulary for Picture Activity #1

• telescope
• peer through
• stargazing
• be on the lookout for
• microscope
• research

Useful Vocabulary for Picture Activity #2

• landscape
• pray
• find solace in
• lose oneself in
• have faith in
• therapeutic

Useful Vocabulary for Picture Activity #3

• apparition
• consciousness
• pass away
• UFO (unidentified flying object)
• hoax
• footage

Other Useful Phrases for Discussion

• Let's see here...
• They appear to be...
• This picture is depicting...
• What strikes me about...
• I hold the view that...
• To put it simply...
• I'm of the mind that...
• In my humble opinion...
• If I could speak candidly...
• From what I've seen...
• This strikes a chord with me because...
• What's your take on this?

...and many more.

How to use:

Please download and open the Zip in order to access the materials.

You may share this directly with coworkers within your institution, however, please do not share on any group or public platforms. Thank you.

I hope you enjoy this lesson. All feedback is welcome and appreciated! <3