B1 ESL Lesson Plan: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Lesson Summary
This engaging A2–B1 ESL lesson plan uses the short video Inside Our Autistic Minds to help students explore autism spectrum disorder and different autistic experiences. Learners discuss sensory experience, communication and inclusion, develop topic vocabulary, watch and analyse a video, read an article about creating a more autism-friendly world and practise speaking, writing and critical thinking.

Learning Objectives
• To introduce autism spectrum disorder and different autistic experiences.
• To build vocabulary related to autism, sensory experience, communication and inclusion.
• To develop viewing, listening and reading comprehension.
• To develop writing skills through reflection and creative tasks.
• To improve speaking through discussion and roleplay.
• To develop visual representing skills through multimodal homework.

Lesson Activities
• Pre-viewing discussion about autism and autistic experiences.
• Vocabulary development and quotation discussion.
• Video prediction, viewing and comprehension.
• Video analysis and critical thinking.
• Reflective writing.
• Roleplay.
• Reading Eight Ways to Make the World More Autism-Friendly.
• Reading comprehension and discussion.
• Follow-up writing and lesson reflection.

Learner Type
Mature teens and adults

Language Focus
Vocabulary related to autism, sensory experience, communication and inclusionBenefits for Learners:

• Develop communicative competence and confidence through integrated skill-building
• Expand vocabulary and improve listening and reading comprehension through repeated, meaningful exposure
• Think critically and creatively while exploring powerful social and emotional themes
• Strengthen emotional intelligence and intercultural awareness through affective engagement with multimodal texts

Benefits for Learners:

• Develop communicative competence and confidence through integrated skill-building
• Expand vocabulary and improve listening and reading comprehension through repeated, meaningful exposure
• Think critically and creatively while exploring powerful social and emotional themes
• Strengthen emotional intelligence and intercultural awareness through affective engagement with multimodal texts

Watch the short video.

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We hope you enjoy this ESL video lesson plan.

Thanks for being part of the Film English community, and happy teaching!
— The Film English Team

Transform Your English Classroom with the Multimodal Approach
This ESL video lesson plan is built around a thought-provoking short video and designed using the innovative Multimodal Approach, integrating listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and representing. Engage learners with real-world themes, develop communicative competence, build vocabulary and foster critical thinking through dynamic, research-informed activities. Find out more about the Multimodal Approach and join thousands of teachers transforming their classrooms with Film English.