ESA TEFL Lesson Plan Template
ESA TEFL Lesson Plan Template
ESA stands for Engage, Study, Activate. It is a flexible framework that lets you hook students first, then focus on language, then use it communicatively.
When to use ESA
Use ESA when you want a strong warmer, when the class is mixed ability, or when the lesson should feel less rigid than PPP.
Blank ESA template
| Stage | Time | Purpose | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engage | 5–10 min | Generate interest and activate prior knowledge | Picture reveal, short video, personal question |
| Study | 10–15 min | Focus on form, meaning, pronunciation | Guided discovery, board clarification, controlled practice |
| Activate | 10–15 min | Use language communicatively | Information gap, debate, task, game |
Example ESA lesson
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Level | B1 |
| Topic | Comparative adjectives |
| Objective | Students will compare two cities using comparative adjectives accurately in spoken interaction |
- Engage: Show photos of Cape Town and Durban. Ask which is bigger, warmer, busier.
- Study: Elicit comparative forms, clarify spelling rules, complete a comparison table.
- Activate: In pairs, students plan a holiday and justify their choice with five comparative sentences.
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