The Science of Stress

This ESL lesson plan is designed around a short video titled The Science of Stress: How Does Stress Affect Our Brains and Bodies? and the themes of stress and neuroscience. Students learn vocabulary related to stress and neuroscience, discuss quotations about stress, talk about stress, predict the content of a short video, watch a short video, answer comprehension questions, analyse a short video, write about what they have learned from viewing a short video, develop critical thinking skills by exploring issues raised in a short video, read an article titled How Stress Reshapes the Brain—and How to Rebuild It, answer comprehension questions, discuss topics raised in an article, write about what they have learned from reading an article, perform a roleplay, and reflect on the lesson.

Language level: Advanced (C1) – Proficient (C2)

Learner type: Mature teens and adults

Topic: Stress and neuroscience

Language: Vocabulary related to stress and neuroscience

Time: 90–120 minutes

Objectives:

• To introduce students to the psychological and physiological aspects of stress
• To expand vocabulary related to stress and neuroscience
• To develop viewing, listening and reading comprehension skills
• To develop students’ writing skills through creative and structured tasks
• To improve students’ speaking skills through roleplay and discussion
• To practise critical thinking through discussion and reflection

Watch the short video.