C1 ESL Video Lesson Plan: Optimism

This engaging ESL video lesson plan is built around the short video Can Optimism Save Us? and explores the theme of optimism and its social and personal dimensions. Suitable for Advanced (C1) to Proficient (C2) level students, the lesson is ideal for mature teens and adults. It features vocabulary-building, critical thinking, structured roleplay, article-based tasks, and multimodal reflection activities.

🧠 Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Explore the role of optimism in society and personal life

• Learn how trust and shared belief can influence social change

• Expand vocabulary related to optimism, trust, and community

• Develop listening, viewing, and reading comprehension skills

• Improve speaking through discussions and roleplay

• Enhance writing through creative and reflective tasks

• Practise multimodal composition in homework activities

🎬 Lesson Activities

In this 90–120 minute ESL video lesson, students will:

• Discuss personal and societal optimism using quotes and prompts

• Predict and watch a short video, then complete comprehension tasks

• Analyse how the video presents optimism as a shared resource

• Read an article titled The Trust Factor: Building Community Through Optimism

• Complete reading comprehension and critical discussion questions

• Engage in a roleplay about optimism in decision-making

• Write a reflective piece on optimism as a life strategy

• Complete a multimodal homework project based on the lesson theme

👥 Learner Type
Mature teens and adults at Advanced (C1) to Proficient (C2) levels

📚 Language Focus
Vocabulary related to:

• Optimism and positive psychology

• Trust, social belief, and collective action

• Resilience and mental outlook

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.