The Case for Optimism

This ESL lesson plan is designed around a short video titled Steven Pinker Makes the Case for Optimism and the themes of optimism and pessimism. Students learn vocabulary related to optimism and pessimism, discuss quotations about optimism and pessimism, talk about optimism, predict the content of a short video, watch a short video, answer comprehension questions, analyse a short video, perform a roleplay and reflect on the lesson.

Language level: Upper Intermediate (B2) – Advanced (C1)

Learner type: Teens and adults

Time: 90 minutes

Activity: Learning vocabulary related to optimism and pessimism, discussing quotations about optimism and pessimism, talking about optimism, predict the content of a short video, watching a short video, answering comprehension questions, analysing a short video, performing a roleplay and reflecting on the lesson

Topic: Optimism and pessimism

Language: Vocabulary related to optimism and pessimism

Watch the short video.