ESL Lesson Plan: How Much Should You Tip?

In this B1 ESL lesson plan, students explore the topic of tipping and discuss tipping culture, restaurant etiquette, customer service, and whether people should be expected to leave a tip. They begin by learning useful vocabulary related to tipping, including prevalent, customary, obligatory, minimum wage, service charge, appreciation, and round up.

Students then read and watch content about tipping around the world, discovering different attitudes towards tipping and how much people are expected to tip in different situations. They practise reading and listening comprehension while exploring the reasons behind different tipping customs.

The lesson also includes speaking activities where students share their opinions on questions such as whether tipping should be obligatory, whether workers on the minimum wage should depend on tips, and whether customers should tip when there is already a service charge. Throughout the lesson, students develop their vocabulary, fluency, and confidence while discussing a relevant and sometimes controversial topic.