June Topics and Themes for ESL Students

For many teachers and students, June marks the end of the school year, but for others, it's about getting ready for summer classes! There's still a lot to talk about with your ESL students so be sure to check out our June Topics and Themes and don't forget to follow ESL Made Easy for weekly posts. One topic that may not get a lot of attention is Father's Day (June 19th). Why not use the days ahead to talk about the history of Father's Day as well as the various roles fathers play in the family and in the community.

Other noteworthy topics for this month are World Ocean Day, International Sushi Day, the start of Ramadan, the Summer Solstice, World Music Day, and International Anti-Drug Day. Stay tuned for related links to recommended ESL worksheets and activities!

Get Your Students Reading and Talking with  WOW News Stories!

When I find interesting or shocking news stories, I love to share them with my students. Focusing on the vocabulary in the story is one thing, but when there's a lesson, a theme, or an emotional reaction that a particular news story creates, there's a tremendous opportunity for ESL learners to remember and relate personal or shared experiences to what they are reading and comprehending.

News stories that are interesting, compelling, touching, shocking, humorous or just plain unbelievable can make learning and remembering new and tricky vocabulary and expressions painless. It can also help spark students' interest in talking about them!

Find TIPS and some of my WOW stories here!

May Topic: World Telecommunications Day!

It's World Telecommunication Day on May 17th which could create some lively discussion in your ESL classroom! Get your students talking about how information travels the world, changes in communication (the good, the bad and the ugly!), as well as the importance of telecommunications in our ever changing world today.

Read more about World Telecommunication Day here!

RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR YOUR ESL STUDENTS ON THE TOPIC OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS:

ESL Conversation: Discussion questions about communication
ESL Holiday Lessons: Reading with follow up activities on WTD
English-Test: Online quiz on telecommunications
English Page: Telecommunications vocabulary
Science: Free PowerPoints on telecommunication topics
Forbes: The World's Largest Telecommunication Companies

May Topic: Sleep!

May 12th is International Fatigue Syndrome Day.This day is set aside to recognize the fact that sometimes life can make us feel tired and worn-out. It is also a day to create an awareness on how sleeping problems and disorders can lead to serious health issues. Your ESL students might find this to be a familiar and interesting topic to discuss as they can talk about their own sleeping problems, habits and routines! 

Download the ESL MADE EASY
"Let's Talk About......Sleep" worksheet.

Student-centred reading and conversation lesson plan!

Great for multi-level classes or one on one teaching!

FIND RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR YOUR ESL STUDENTS HERE!

May Topic: International Bird Migratory Day!

If you're a bird lover, then May 9th might be of interest to you! This special day for birds celebrates their diversity around the world as well as some of their amazing migration journeys. International Bird Migratory Day is a day to share the many ways in which birds matter to the environment, to our ecosystems and of course to us. Take some time to have a conversation about birds with your ESL students and see if there are any bird fans in your class! 

To find out more about International Bird Migratory Day, click here.

All About Birds: The Basics of Bird Migration
ESl Discussions: Conversation questions - Birds
Idiom Connection: Bird idioms
VOA News: Birds and Their Stories
Language Guide: Bird vocabulary with listening
Expresso English: Vocabulary words about birds
ESL Lab: Listening activity on raising birds
Daily ESL: Listen and Read - Birding
TLS Books: Facts and opinion worksheet on birds
Smith Life Science: Reading activity and crossword on birds
Layers of Learning: Printable worksheet on the anatomy of a bird
Easy Science for Kids: Fun facts about flightless birds and video

May Topic: Mother's Day!

Sunday, May 8th marks a special appreciation day for mothers! Get your students talking about the roles of mothers in the family and in society as well as the modern history behind this well-known celebration.

Download the ESL Made Easy
"LET'S TALK ABOUT...Mother's Day" 
Student-centred reading and conversation lesson plan!
Great for multi-level classes or one on one teaching!

FIND RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR YOUR ESL STUDENTS HERE!

May: Teaching Themes and Topics

Be sure to check out some of the suggested themes and topics for the month of May here! The main topic most of us will be talking about are MOTHERS and their important role in the family and in society!

Depending on where you live, you might want to get your students talking about birds as it's International Migratory Bird Day on May 9th! Other mentionables that might give your students plenty to talk about are World Press Freedom Day, International Nurses Day, Purple for Peace Day, Victoria Day (Canada), Memorial Day (U.S.A) and International Amnesty Day held on May 28th.


 



            

April Topic: World Dance Day!

 
World Dance Day is April 29th. Founded in 1982 by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute, this day has been set aside to help promote the art of dance around the world! For those in the arts community, it's also a time to celebrate dance as an important place in society as it transcends many political, ethnic and cultural barriers. 

Engage your ESL students by talking about the role of dance in their respective cultures and about how dance has become a universal language full of artistic and emotional expression!  

Download the ESL Made Easy "LET'S TALK ABOUT...DANCING" worksheet package (includes reading, worksheet and lesson plan guide). 

FIND RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR YOUR ESL STUDENTS HERE!

April Topic: Earth Day!

Earth Day, not to be confused with Earth Hour, is an annual environmental event held on April 22nd. Worldwide celebrations and campaigns are held to honor our mother Earth and to create an awareness of key global issues our planet is facing today. Get your students to learn more about Earth Day here and have them talk about the world around them and what we can all do to help preserve and protect it for future generations!

See 2 Degree Celsius: A Critical Number for Climate Change video on here.

FIND RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR YOUR ESL STUDENTS HERE!

April Topic: International Pink Day

 

 

WARM-UP QUESTIONS ON THE TOPIC OF BULLYING:

1. What comes to mind when you hear the word bullying?

2. What are some types of bullying among children? adults? seniors?

3. Is the issue of bullying a concern in your home country? If so, what have been some programs and services for the prevention of bullying?

4. Why do some people bully each other?

5. What effects can bullying have on someone?



RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR YOUR ESL STUDENTS

ESL Holiday Lessons: Lesson plan on Anti-Bullying Day
Listen A Minute: Reading and activities on bullying
ESL Discussion: Conversation questions on the topic of bullying
Kids Are Worth It: Bully Handout PDF
Kids Are Worth It: Tips of Cyberbullying
Stop A Bully: Canadian Bullying Statistics
Breaking News English: Bullied Kids Risk of Mental Health Problems Higher
British Council Learn English: Reading activity on bullying
Film-English: Short video with follow up activities on the topic of bullying
EFL Lecturer: Online Cyber Bullying lesson and activities
Breaking News English: Lady Gaga Launches Anti-Bullying Foundation
Absolute English: A lesson plan on Cyber Bullying PDF
ISL Collective: 34 worksheets on the topic of bullying  donation site
Heads Up English: Mini lesson on bullying PDF
YouTube: The story of Pink Shirt Day in Canada

April Topic: World Health Day!

World Health Day, celebrated every year on April 7th, was created to raise awareness about key global health issues.  This year's theme is BEAT DIABETES and raising awareness on the causes and effects of this disease worldwide. As a global issue, your ESL students may find this to be an especially interesting topic that can generate some lively discussion!

FIND RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR YOUR ESL STUDENTS HERE!

April: Teaching Topics and Themes for Your ESL Students!

It's April and for many of those living in the North, it means warmers temperatures and spring birds and flowers! Get your students starting the month off with a joke or two on April 1st as it's April Fool's Day across the globe.  There's plenty of spring topics to keep your students busy starting with spring cleaning, spring allergies, spring flowers and spring weather. Get them busy learning more about International Pink Day on April 13th and World Earth Day on April 22nd, too!

Find more ideas on teaching topics this month here!