🟥Social ESOL Lessons

2025 Social English Class

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Term 1: Monday, 3rd February – Friday, 11th April 2025
Week 1

• Tuesday, 4th Feb – Lunar New Year

• Wednesday, 5th Feb – Waitangi Day
• Friday, 7th Feb – Welcome Back Party

Week 2

• Tuesday, 11th Feb – Donald Trump’s Leadership
• Wednesday, 12th Feb – Going to the Pharmacy
• Friday, 14th Feb – Romance & Valentine’s Day

Week 3

• Tuesday, 18th Feb – Christchurch Earthquake Remembrance Day (22nd Feb)
• Wednesday, 19th Feb – International Mother Language Day (21st Feb)
• Friday, 21st Feb – Happiness

Week 4

• Tuesday, 25th Feb – New Regent St 
• Wednesday, 26th Feb – New Regent St
• Friday, 28th Feb – New Regent St Visit 

Week 5

• Tuesday, 4th March – Artificial Intelligence
• Wednesday, 5th March – Board games
• Friday, 6th March – World Famous Places

Week 6

• Tuesday, 11th March – Childhood Memories
• Wednesday, 12th March – Forgiveness
• Friday, 14th March – International Women's Day

Week 7

• Tuesday, 18th March – Helen Keller
• Wednesday, 19th March – Margaret Mahy  
• Friday, 21st March – Visit to Margaret Mahy Playground 

• Tuesday, 25th March –  Autumn
• Wednesday, 26th March – Sri Lanka
• Friday, 28th March Taiwan

Week 9

• Tuesday, 1st April – The Philippines
• Wednesday, 2nd April – China
• Friday, 4th April - India

Week 10

• Tuesday, 8th April – Kiwiana
• Wednesday, 9th April Easter
• Friday, 11th April – Health Seminar / Term Review
• 25th April ANZAC Day
• Easter Friday 18 April 

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Term 2: Monday, 28th April – Friday, 27th June 2025

Week 1

• Tuesday, 29th April - My Family
• Wednesday, 30th April 
• Going to the Doctor 
• Friday, 2nd May – Music 

Week 2

• Tuesday, 6th May – Movies Lesson 1
• Wednesday, 7th May – Movies Lesson 2
• Friday, 9th May – Fairytales

Week 3

• Tuesday, 13th May – Clothes Shopping
• Wednesday, 14th May – Supermarket Shopping
• Friday, 16th May – Gardening

Week 4

• Tuesday, 20th May – My Morning Routine
• Wednesday, 21st May – Irregular Verbs
• Friday, 23rd May – 100 Most Used Kiwi Phrases

Week 5

• Tuesday, 27th May – Travel, 100 Most Used Kiwi Phrases Lesson 2
• Wednesday, 28th May – Travel
• Friday, 30th May – How to Order Food in English

Week 6

• Tuesday, 3rd June – Phrasal Verbs 
• Wednesday, 4th June – Dreams and Aspirations 
• Friday, 6th June – Speeches, Restaurant with Tracy's class, Matariki craft 

Week 7

• Tuesday, 10th June – Rainy Days
• Wednesday, 11th June Actives and Passives 
• Friday, 13th June – Friday the 13th – Finished Actives and Passives 

Week 8

• Tuesday, 17th June – University of Canterbury Visit
• Wednesday, 18th June –Matariki
• Friday, 20th June – Matariki Holiday

Week 9

• Tuesday, 24th June – NZ Birds & Wildlife
• Wednesday, 25th June – Winter in New Zealand
• Friday, 27th June The Titanic

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Term 3: Monday, 14th July – Friday, 19th September 2025

Week 1

• Tuesday, 15th July Visit to the Art Gallery and the Asian Arts Festival
• Wednesday, 16th July – The Story of Jack Ma
• Friday, 18th July – Butterflies

Week 2

• Tuesday, 22nd July – Chocolate
• Wednesday, 23rd July – Knitting
• Friday, 25th July – Knitting

Week 3

• Tuesday, 29th July – Breadmaking
• Wednesday, 30th July – Bread
• Friday, 1st August – Ballantynes Visit

Week 4

• Tuesday, 5th August – Creativity
• Wednesday, 6th August – Phrasal Verbs
• Friday, 8th August – Visit to De Spa Chocolatier, Pizza Hut, The Book Barn and Woolston Emporium

Week 5

• Tuesday, 12th August – Present Perfect
• Wednesday, 13th August – Present Perfect
• Friday, 15th August – Present Perfect

Week 6

• Tuesday, 19th August – Present Perfect vs Present Simple
• Wednesday, 20th August – Since, Ago, Present Perfect (Speaking)
• Friday, 22nd August – Guest speaker Local Ecan candidate: Michael Bennett

Week 7

• Tuesday, 26th August – There is/There are/ Has got
• Wednesday, 27th August – There is/There are/Modals (Speaking)
• Friday, 29th August – Tenses

Week 8

• Tuesday, 2nd September – Tenses
• Wednesday, 3rd September – Tenses
• Friday, 5th September – Tenses

Week 9

• Tuesday, 9th September – Tenses
• Wednesday, 10th September – Tenses
• Friday, 12th September – Tenses

Week ten

Tuesday 16^th September Signal Words
Wednesday 17^th September Signal Words
Friday 17^th End of term Listening Test

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Term 4: Monday, 6th October – Friday, 12th December 2025

Term 4: Monday, 6th October – Friday, 12th December 2025

Week 1

• Tuesday, 7th October – Going for a Hair Cut
• Wednesday, 8th October – Going for a Hair Cut
• Friday, 10th October – Visit to Hair Salon

Week 2

• Tuesday, 14th October – Prepositions
• Wednesday, 15th October – Prepositions
• Friday, 17th October – Prepositions

Week 3

• Tuesday, 21st October – Prepositions
• Wednesday, 22nd October – Prepositions
• Friday, 24th October – this, that, these , those 

Week 4

• Tuesday, 28th October – 
• Wednesday, 29th October – 
• Friday, 31st October – 
•  

Week 5

• Tuesday, 4th November – 
• Wednesday, 5th November – 
• Friday, 7th November – 

Week 6

• Tuesday, 11th November – 
• Wednesday, 12th November – 
• Friday, 14th November – 

Week 7

• Tuesday, 18th November – Giving & Charity (World Kindness Day – November 13)
• Wednesday, 19th November – Public Speaking & Debates
• Friday, 21st November – Christmas Around the World

Week 8

• Tuesday, 25th November – Summer & Beach Safety
• Wednesday, 26th November – Reflection & Gratitude
• Friday, 28th November – Holiday Crafts & DIY Gifts

Week 9

• Tuesday, 2nd December – New Year’s Resolutions & Goal Setting
• Wednesday, 3rd December – Memories of 2025
• Friday, 5th December – End-of-Year Celebration & Awards

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Class Rhythms: 

🟥Attendance and Warmer Question 

   

🟧Reading (120-130 words on lesson theme)

• ✏️ New Words & Meanings – Look up definitions, word form and write sentences for each:
  • Word 1: ______________ → ______________________________________________
  • Word 2: ______________ → ______________________________________________
  • Word 3: ______________ → ______________________________________________

🟨Speaking

• 👥 Pair up & discuss the following questions:

  1. ---

  2. ---

  3. ---

  4. ---

  5. ---

  6. ---

✏️ Write your partner’s answers below:

1. ---

2. ---

3. ---

4. ---

5. ---

6. ---

🔊 Pronunciation Practice

🎧 Repeat today’s phrase 5 times in three different ways:

1. ---

2. ---

3. ---

🔁 Review Term’s Phrases on the Wall (3x each)
👅 Tongue Twister Challenge: ________________________

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☕ Break (10:30 AM – 10:45 AM)

🟨 Today's Physical Exercise to Practice: 10 x

🟩 Grammar & Vocabulary

1. Ask the Teacher: Any questions about English?
2. Today’s Focus Phrase: (Exercises 1-10) 
3. 📱 See online lesson for more explanation 🔗 YouTube Link

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 🟦🎧 Listening & Responding

🔗 YouTube Link

• Listen to the audio clip and answer:
  • What is the main idea? __________________________
  • What words did you hear? __________________________
  • Draw something you imagine from the audio: ✏️

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🟪  Activity (Game, Puzzle, Craft, or Outing)

⬛ End of Lesson

📝 Writing Homework

✏️ Write a short paragraph about today’s topic on lined paper.
💡 Sentence Starter (on paper):

📢 Final Check:
✅ Did you use today’s new word?
✅ Did you write in full sentences?
✅ Did you check your spelling?

🔊 Share one thing you learned today:

• "I learned that..."
• "One thing I learned today was..."
• "I learned about..."

   🟥  🟧  🟨 🤸‍♂️ 🟩  🟦 🟪  ⬛

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📌 Homework Marking Key:

Pink = Grammar mistake
Orange = Punctuation mistake
Yellow = Wrong word
Green = Spelling mistake
Blue = Tense/time error
Purple = Wrong order

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Class Rhythms

🟥 Attendance and Warmer Question
🟧 Reading and Vocabulary
🟨 Speaking
👥 Conversation Questions – Write down answers
🎧 Repeat today’s focus phrase 5 times in three different ways
🔁 Review Term’s Phrases on the Wall (3x each)
👅 Today's Tongue Twister Challenge
🤸‍♂️ Physical Exercise to Practice: 10x
☕ Break (10:30 AM – 10:45 AM)

🟩 Grammar
✏️ Look at writing books and correct
📚 Today’s Focus Phrase: (Exercises 1-10)
📱 See online lesson for more explanation 🔗 YouTube Link

🟦 🎧 Listening
🔗 YouTube Link

🟪 Activity: (Game, Puzzle, Craft, Poem, Song, Play, or Outing etc.)

⬛ End of Lesson
📝 Writing Homework
✏️ Write a short paragraph about today’s topic on lined paper.
💡 Sentence Starter (on paper):

🔊 Share one thing you learned today:
"I learned that..."
"One thing I learned today was..."
"I learned about..."

         🟥 🟧 🟨 🤸‍♂️ 🟩 🟦 🟪 ⬛

📌 Homework Marking Key:
🔴 Pink = Grammar mistake
🟠 Orange = Punctuation mistake
🟡 Yellow = Wrong word
🟢 Green = Spelling mistake
🔵 Blue = Tense/time error
🟣 Purple = Wrong order

Lasting change in ESOL lessons

Creating lasting change in ESOL students' learning means helping them develop skills, confidence, and independence they can carry into real-life situations. Here are some key strategies that lead to lasting change:

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1. Make it Relevant

• Connect lessons to their daily lives: Use real-life topics (e.g. shopping, health, talking to a doctor, school communication).
• Teach language for real tasks: Role-play phone calls, fill in forms, read bus timetables.

2. Repetition with Variety

• Revisit key language regularly using new formats: games, pair work, dictation, speaking tasks, etc.
• Use a “spiral approach”—keep coming back to grammar or vocabulary in different contexts.

3. Encourage Speaking Every Lesson

• Give low-pressure speaking opportunities daily.
• Use partner talk, group tasks, short presentations, and games.
• Make space for mistakes and praise effort.

4. Teach Learning Strategies

• Show students how to study (e.g. make vocabulary cards, use phone apps like Quizlet).
• Teach them how to guess meaning from context, use bilingual dictionaries, and take notes.

5. Promote English Use Outside the Classroom

• Set small “real-life” homework tasks, like asking for the time, talking to a neighbour, or reading a sign in English.
• Encourage TV shows with subtitles, YouTube in English, simple books, or speaking with shop staff.

6. Use Visuals and Hands-On Activities

• Use pictures, videos, realia (menus, flyers, food packets), and physical props.
• For low-level learners, seeing and touching helps the language stick.

7. Celebrate Progress

• Help them see small wins: new words learned, situations handled, or confidence gained.
• Use simple checklists or "I can" statements.

8. Build Relationships and Trust

• Students make the most progress when they feel safe and cared for.
• Take time to build rapport—it leads to confidence, and confidence leads to language use.

Class Rhythms with CELTA Techniques

🟥 Attendance and Warmer Question

CELTA Techniques:

• Lead-in Activity: Use a visual or realia related to the lesson theme to spark discussion.
• Elicit Responses: Encourage students to build on each other's answers.
• Personalization: Connect the warmer to students' experiences.

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🟧 Reading (120-130 words on lesson theme)

• Pre-Reading Task: Predict the topic using a title or image.
• Skimming Task: What is the general idea of the text?
• Scanning Task: Find three key words in the text.

✏️ New Words & Meanings – Look up definitions, word form, and write sentences:

• Word 1: ______________ → ______________________________________________
• Word 2: ______________ → ______________________________________________
• Word 3: ______________ → ______________________________________________

CELTA Techniques:

• Clarify Meaning: Use CCQs (Concept Checking Questions) instead of “Do you understand?”
• Contextualize Vocabulary: Show examples in sentences before students create their own.
• Pronunciation Drilling: Focus on word stress and phonetic challenges.

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🟨 Speaking

👥 Pair up & discuss the following questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

✏️ Write your partner’s answers below: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

CELTA Techniques:

• Guided Pair Work: Model the conversation before students practice.
• Error Correction: Provide feedback after fluency practice, not during.
• Task-Based Speaking: Set a purpose (e.g., Find three things in common with your partner).

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🔊 Pronunciation Practice

🎧 Repeat today’s phrase 5 times in three different ways: 1. 2. 3.

🔁 Review Term’s Phrases on the Wall (3x each) 👅 Tongue Twister Challenge: ________________________

CELTA Techniques:

• Choral and Individual Drilling: Start as a group, then focus on individuals.
• Phonemic Awareness: Use phonetic symbols for tricky sounds.
• Intonation and Stress Practice: Show how meaning changes with different stress patterns.

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☕ Break (10:30 AM – 10:45 AM)

🟨 Today's Physical Exercise to Practice: 10 x

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🟩 Grammar & Vocabulary

1. Ask the Teacher: Any questions about English?
2. Today’s Focus Phrase: (Exercises 1-10)
3. 📱 See online lesson for more explanation 🔗 YouTube Link

CELTA Techniques:

• Guided Discovery: Lead students to notice the rule themselves.
• Controlled Practice: Short, structured exercises to reinforce form.
• Freer Practice: Use the grammar point in a real-life discussion or writing task.

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🟦 🎧 Listening & Responding

🔗 YouTube Link

• Listen to the audio clip and answer:
  • What is the main idea? __________________________
  • What words did you hear? __________________________
  • Draw something you imagine from the audio: ✏️

CELTA Techniques:

• Pre-Listening Task: Predict content from keywords.
• Listening for Gist: First listen, broad understanding.
• Listening for Detail: Second listen, focus on specific information.
• Post-Listening Task: Summarize or react to the audio.

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🟪 Activity (Game, Puzzle, Craft, or Outing)

CELTA Techniques:

• Communicative Focus: Ensure the activity encourages meaningful interaction.
• Peer Collaboration: Assign roles or tasks within groups.
• Reflective Follow-Up: Discuss what was learned from the activity.

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⬛ End of Lesson

📝 Writing Homework ✏️ Write a short paragraph about today’s topic on lined paper. 💡 Sentence Starter (on paper): 📢 Final Check: ✅ Did you use today’s new word? ✅ Did you write in full sentences? ✅ Did you check your spelling?

🔊 Share one thing you learned today:

• "I learned that..."
• "One thing I learned today was..."
• "I learned about..."

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📌 Homework Marking Key:

🔴 Pink = Grammar mistake 🟠 Orange = Punctuation mistake 🟡 Yellow = Wrong word 🟢 Green = Spelling mistake 🔵 Blue = Tense/time error 🟣 Purple = Wrong order

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For senior ESOL students (aged 60+), the most studied topics usually relate to their daily lives, health, and social integration. Based on common curricula and learner needs, here are the top studied topics:

1. Health and Wellbeing

Talking to doctors/dentists

Describing symptoms

Medication and appointments

2. Shopping and Money

Grocery shopping vocabulary

Using EFTPOS or cash

Reading prices and offers

3. Transport and Directions

Reading bus timetables

Asking for and giving directions

Using taxis or public transport

4. Daily Routines and Time

Telling the time

Days, months, and seasons

Talking about routines

5. Social English and Making Friends

Greetings and small talk

Asking questions politely

Joining clubs or events

6. Food and Cooking

Reading recipes

Kitchen vocabulary

Talking about favourite dishes

7. New Zealand Culture and Customs

Kiwi slang

National holidays and traditions

Māori culture basics

8. Housing and Living in NZ

Renting or owning a home

Talking to landlords or neighbours

Reading utility bills

9. Technology Basics

Using a smartphone

Writing simple messages or emails

Accessing online services

10. Safety and Emergencies

Calling 111

Fire, earthquake, and personal safety

Understanding warning signs