February Topic: Chocolate!

Did you know that Hershey Chocolate was founded on February 8th in 1894? Since it is February, what better time to get your ESL students talking about the history of chocolate and all its products and recipes! Not only is chocolate considered to be a popular (and some saying healthy!) treat around the world, but also a popular and romantic gift for Valentine's Day too. 

Here's a great article with video on the health benefits of chocolate that you can share with your ESL students.  
 

 

WARM-UP CONVERSATION QUESTIONS ABOUT CHOCOLATE BY ESL MADE EASY:

1. Is chocolate considered to be a treat for you? If so, what is your favorite chocolate goodie (candy bar, chocolate milk, cookies..etc) and how often do you have it?

2. Is chocolate popular in your home country? What are some popular chocolate treats?
3. Recent reports suggest that chocolate can actually be good for you (see health benefits of chocolate ). Do you think this could change the minds of those who see chocolate as a guilty pleasure? What about for those who see chocolate as nothing more than a cause of cavities and weight gain?
4. What are some holidays/special events around the world that involve chocolate?
5. In what ways has the production, marketing and consumption of chocolate changed over the years? 

RECOMMENDED ESL LINKS AROUND THE TOPIC CHOCOLATE:

Bright Hub Education: Yummy chocolate lesson plan
ESL Discussions: Conversation questions around chocolate
Breaking News English: Lesson with activities: Chocolate is Good for You
Learning English: Reading and listening - Chocolate - The Food of the Gods
ESL Holiday Lessons: Reading and activity on World Chocolate Day
Breaking News English: Lesson with activities - Experts Predict Chocolate Drought
English Baby: Lesson on chocolate
Heads Up English: Mini lesson on chocolate
English For Everyone: Reading and comprehension lesson on chocolate
ITESLJ: Reading and comprehension on the history of chocolate
ESL Printables: The history of chocolate lesson - lesson sharing site
ESOL Course: How chocolate is made - listening and comprehension
ESL Library: Listening podcast: 6 Myths about Chocolate
Huffington Post: The best American chocolate bars ranked - reading

Explore some fun and interesting facts with your ESL students with this The Fine Chocolate Experience Infographic by Caputo's: