B2 ESL Lesson Plan: How to Get Over an Ex

Lesson Summary

In this Upper Intermediate (B2)–Advanced (C1) ESL lesson plan, adult learners explore why people idealise ex-partners and how realistic reflection can support recovery from a painful break-up. Students discuss lost love, watch and analyse a short video, take part in a roleplay and read an article presenting eight healthy recovery strategies.

Learning Objectives

• Introduce the themes of ex-partners and recovering from a break-up
• Build vocabulary related to relationships, separation and emotional recovery
• Strengthen viewing, listening and reading comprehension
• Develop speaking skills through discussion and roleplay
• Develop writing and visual representing skills through creative tasks

Lesson Activities

• Discussing a quotation about lost love
• Exploring associations with ex-partners
• Predicting and viewing a short video
• Answering video and article comprehension questions
• Analysing ideas about memory, idealisation and emotional recovery
• Performing a roleplay and completing reflective writing activities

Learner Type

Adults

Language Level

Upper Intermediate (B2)–Advanced (C1)

Lesson Duration

90–120 minutes

Language Focus

Vocabulary related to romantic relationships, separation, former partners, emotional pain, recovery and practical coping strategies

Benefits for Teachers:

• Save hours of preparation with a fully developed, flexible lesson plan
• Engage students through compelling stories and real-world themes such as emotional intelligence, character, values, empathy, personal development, identity, relationships, global issues and social issues
• Build classroom routines that integrate multimodal literacy naturally and progressively
• Foster more inclusive and differentiated learning by using varied modes of input
• Promote social-emotional learning (SEL)
• Rely on a trusted methodology backed by educational research and grounded in the theories of Vygotsky, Kress, Mayer and Krashen

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.