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ESL Lesson Plan: Do We Buy Too Much?

Do We Buy Too Much?

Lesson Overview

In this B1 ESL lesson, students explore the theme of consumerism and modern spending habits. Do people today buy too many things? Why do we shop so often, and what impact does it have on our lives?

The lesson looks at real-life topics such as online shopping, advertising, social media influence, food waste, and “want vs need” decisions. Students…

In this B1 ESL lesson, students explore the theme of consumerism and modern spending habits. Do people today buy too many things? Why do we shop so often, and what impact does it have on our lives?

The lesson looks at real-life topics such as online shopping, advertising, social media influence, food waste, and “want vs need” decisions. Students discuss how modern life encourages constant consumption and reflect on their own habits.

Learners practise key vocabulary related to shopping and spending, use too / enough in meaningful contexts, and develop speaking fluency through discussions, debates, and a picture-based speaking task.

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to express opinions about consumer behaviour, describe shopping habits, and talk about the pressures of modern life using natural B1-level language.

Activity Layout

  1. Warm Up: Need vs Want
  2. Key Words
  3. Grammar: Too vs Enough
  4. Article: Why People Buy Too Much
  5. Audio: Kenny’ Shopping Habits
  6. Fun Facts: Consumerism  
  7. Discussion.
  8. Debate: Consumerism

Homework

There is an excellent homework task to support this B1 ESL lesson on consumerism. Students will practise using too / enough in real-life contexts. This task helps learners improve both accuracy and fluency while talking about modern life, shopping habits, and everyday spending decisions.

  1. Grammar: Too vs Enough

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