Latest Lessons

Latest

B2 ESL Video Lesson Plan: Metacognition

Published on March 29, 2026

By kierandonaghy

Lesson Summary:This Upper Intermediate (B2) to Advanced (C1) ESL lesson plan is built around a thought-provoking video that explores the theme of metacognition and emotional intelligence. It is designed to help learners develop key language skills—listening, viewing, speaking, reading, writing and visually representing—through guided discussion, roleplay, vocabulary building and engaging classroom activities. Learners explore how […]

B1 ESL Video Lesson Plan: Albert and Aidan Sykes

Published on January 15, 2017

By kierandonaghy

This ESL lesson plan is designed around a short video titled Albert and Aidan Sykes, and the themes of family and racism. In the lesson students do a dictation, predict the answer to questions, listen to an interview, answer comprehension questions, watch two short videos, and speak about the videos. Language level: Intermediate […]

B1 ESL Video Lesson Plan: Taking Flight

Published on October 31, 2016

By kierandonaghy

This ESL video lesson plan is designed around a short film titled Taking Flight and the themes of childhood games, grandparents and grandchildren. Students watch a short film, predict a story, retell a story, discuss the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, and discuss a short film. Language level: Intermediate (B1) – Upper Intermediate […]

Film in Action Nominated in ESU Awards

Published on October 18, 2016

By kierandonaghy

I’m delighted to announce that my latest book Film in Action: Using Moving Images to Teach Language (Delta Publishing) has been shortlisted in the prestigious English-Speaking Union English Language Awards in the Resources for Teacher category. The ESU’s English Language Awards help to celebrate and reward innovation and good practice in the field of English […]

A2 ESL Video Lesson Plan: My earliest childhood memory…

Published on October 14, 2016

By kierandonaghy

This ESL video lesson plan is designed around a short film by titled My earliest Childhood Memory, and the theme of childhood memories. Students describe their earliest childhood memory and listen to other students describe theirs, watch a short film and reconstruct the narration, and talk about other childhood memories. Language level: Pre-intermediate […]

B1 ESL Video Lesson Plan: Penelope in the Treehouse

Published on September 5, 2016

By kierandonaghy

This ESL video lesson plan is designed around a short film titled Penelope in the Treehouse and the theme of families. In the lesson students watch but don’t hear the start of a short film, decide what is happening and what the characters are saying, predict the rest of the story and write a story. […]

B1 ESL Video Lesson Plan: The Boy Who Learned To Fly

Published on August 23, 2016

By kierandonaghy

This ESL video lesson plan is designed around a short film titled The Boy Who Learned to Fly based on the life of Usain Bolt and the theme of the Olympic Games. In the lesson students speak about sports and the Olympic Games, watch a short film, retell a story and write a summary of […]

B1 ESL Video Lesson Plan: The Superhumans

Published on July 25, 2016

By kierandonaghy

This ESL lesson plan is designed around a short video commissioned by Channel 4 to advertise the Paralympic Games. In the lesson students watch a video, visualise the content of a video, speak and write about the challenges people with disabilities overcome. Language level: Intermediate (B1) – Upper Intermediate (B2) Learner type: Teens […]

B1 ESL Video Lesson Plan: The DNA Journey

Published on June 21, 2016

By kierandonaghy

This ESL lesson plan is designed around a short viral video commissioned by Momondo, and the themes of nationalities, ethnic groups and DNA. In the lesson students watch a short video, make predictions, and speak about their families, nationalities and ethnic groups. Language level: Intermediate (B1) – Upper Intermediate (B2) Learner type: Teens […]

A2 ESL Video Lesson Plan: The Other Pair

Published on March 30, 2016

By kierandonaghy

This ESL video lesson plan is designed around a short film titled The Other Pair and the themes of altruism and empathy. Students watch a short film, write a story, and speak about a story. Language level: Pre-intermediate (A2) –Intermediate (B1) Learner type: All ages Time: 60 minutes Activity: Watching a short film, […]