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 […]

A2 ESL Video Lesson Plan: Colors

Published on July 13, 2015

By kierandonaghy

This ESL video lesson is designed around a short film by The Mercadantes which explores how beauty can be found in the most seemingly mundane objects, and the theme of colours. Students revise colours, come up with objects of a certain colour, watch a short film, and take their own photos for homework. […]

B1 ESL Video Lesson Plan: Sidewalk

Published on June 22, 2015

By kierandonaghy

This ESL video lesson plan is designed around a beautifully animated short film by artist Celia Bullwinkel titled Sidewalk that portrays a woman’s journey through the passage of time. In the lesson talk about the various stages of life and how we change physically and emotionally, watch a short film and describe how a woman […]

Buy Kieran’s New Book Film in Action

Published on May 17, 2015

By kierandonaghy

We’re delighted to announce that Kieran’s new book Film in Action has been published and is now available to buy at book stores or on Amazon UK or Amazon USA. It’s a great honour for Kieran to join all the wonderful authors in the DELTA Teacher Development Series and we hope that Film in Action will fit seamlessly […]

B1 ESL Video Lesson Plan: Mind the Gap

Published on March 25, 2015

By kierandonaghy

This ESL video lesson plan is designed around a short film titled Mind the Gap. Students watch the first part of the film speculate and predict how it is going to end, read an article and talk about the film and article. Language level: Intermediate (B1) – Upper Intermediate (B2) Learner type: Teens […]

My New How To Write Film Activities Book

Published on March 23, 2015

By kierandonaghy

I’m delighted that my new ebook How to Write Film and Video Activities co-authored with Anna Whitcher has been released by ELT Teacher2Writer. In this innovative and ground-breaking book Anna and I provide essential guidance on how to choose exploitable film and video for the purposes of writing film and video activities for the ELT classroom. […]

B1 ESL Video Lesson Plan: The Gift

Published on March 20, 2015

By kierandonaghy

This ESL video lesson plan is designed around a beautiful short animation titled The Gift and the themes of love and relationships. Students watch a trailer and predict a story, watch a short film and write a narrative based on it and discuss relationships. Language level: Intermediate (B1) – Upper Intermediate (B2) Learner […]

B1 ESL Video Lesson Plan: The Reader

Published on February 18, 2015

By kierandonaghy

This ESL video lesson plan is designed around a moving short film titled The Reader and the theme of literacy. In the lesson students write a narrative, watch a short film and discuss literacy strategies. Language level: Intermediate (B1) – Upper Intermediate (B2) Learner type: All ages Time: 90 minutes Activity: Writing a […]

A2 ESL Video Lesson Plan: The Notebook

Published on February 13, 2015

By kierandonaghy

An ESL video lesson plan designed around a beautiful short film titled The Notebook and the theme of household chores. Students learn and practise vocabulary related to household chores, talk about household chores and watch a short film. Language level: Pre-intermediate (A2)- Intermediate (B1) Learner type: Teens and adults Time: 60 minutes Activity: […]

Film English Wins ESU Award

Published on December 19, 2014

By kierandonaghy

Film English has won the Runner-up prize in the English-Speaking Union President’s Award which recognises the widespread and successful use of technology to enhance English teaching and learning worldwide. It is presented for innovation and good design in the use of technology, for the teaching, learning and advancement of English as a first, second, or foreign […]