B2-C1 · General English
In this lesson, students begin by defining altruism and egoism, matching descriptive adjectives (e.g., selfless, selfish, empathetic) to their meanings and using them to describe visual prompts. They then examine a list of potential advantages for both mindsets and listen to four individuals (Malik, Sofia, Javier, and Elena) share their personal stories. The lesson transitions to a broader societal perspective through a video exploring the concept of "egoistic altruism" and the historical shift from a "zero-sum" economic world to a modern "positive-sum" world driven by innovation, supply, and demand. Students conclude with a critical debate on controversial statements, such as whether true altruism actually exists, if altruists often get used by others, or if self-interest is the only realistic path to success in a competitive world.
This lesson is designed to fit within a single 90 min session. Both audio and video components are included, which also works well for homework-based or asynchronous practice.
PDF handout, audio materials (MP3), video links, full downloadable package (RAR). Everything you need to run this lesson is ready to download — zero preparation required.
This lesson plan is designed for online ESL tutors working with adult learners at B2-C1 level. It uses a conversation-driven approach with authentic materials to keep adult students genuinely engaged throughout the session.
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