B2 ESL Video Lesson Plan: Journaling

Lesson Summary:
This ESL video lesson plan is built around a thought-provoking short video exploring journaling and the power of writing. Aimed at Upper Intermediate to Advanced learners, it helps students develop language skills through viewing and discussion while deepening awareness of how writing supports reflection and emotional processing. The lesson includes vocabulary development, prediction tasks, comprehension work, critical thinking activities, a roleplay and a follow-up reading article.

Learning Objectives:
• To introduce students to the theme of journaling and the power of writing.
• To expand vocabulary related to writing, reflection and emotional processing.
• To develop students’ viewing, listening and reading comprehension skills.
• To develop students’ writing skills through creative tasks and the use of new vocabulary.
• To improve students’ speaking skills through discussions and roleplay.
• To improve students’ visual representing skills through multimodal composition homework tasks.
• To practise critical thinking through reflection on psychological and emotional themes.

Lesson Activities:
• Discuss journaling and writing.
• Explore quotations about the power of writing.
• Predict the video content.
• View the video and answer comprehension questions.
• Analyse the video’s ideas.
• Carry out a roleplay task.
• Read the article How Handwriting Slows the Mind and Strengthens Awareness.
• Complete comprehension questions.
• Engage in post-reading discussions and reflective writing.

Learner Type:
Mature teens and adults at B2–C1 level.

Language Focus:
Vocabulary related to writing, reflection and emotional processing.

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
• 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.