Survival strategies of seals — Video-based ESL lesson

This 60-minute ESL lesson plan, designed for intermediate (B1-B2) learners, introduces students to the survival strategies of seals in the context of their interactions with great white sharks. Through a structured sequence of activities, the lesson builds vocabulary related to marine life and survival tactics, enhances listening and reading comprehension, and fosters speaking and writing skills. Centered around BBC video, Great White Shark Mobbed by Gang Of Seals, the lesson engages students with real-world examples of animal behavior, encouraging them to explore themes of teamwork and instinct while applying new language skills in meaningful ways.

ESL lesson plan: Survival strategies of seals
Level: Intermediate (B1-B2) — adapt for level
Duration: 60 minutes
Objective: Students will learn vocabulary related to marine life and survival strategies, practice listening comprehension, and discuss animal behavior using the provided transcript.
Materials: Transcript, audio/video of the transcript (if available), whiteboard, handouts with vocabulary and comprehension questions, and dictionary access.

Warm-up (10 minutes)

Activity: Discussion and prediction

1. Write the title “Survival strategies of seals” on the board.
2. Ask students:
   • What do you know about seals and sharks?
   • What do you think animals do when they are in danger?
3. Show a picture of a great white shark and a seal (if available). Elicit adjectives to describe them (e.g., dangerous, fast, clever).
4. Predict what the seals might do to survive based on the title.

Vocabulary introduction (15 minutes)

Activity: Vocabulary matching and context

1. Present the following 10 vocabulary words from the transcript with definitions:
   • Astonishing (adj): Very surprising or impressive.
   • Currents (n): Strong flows of water in the ocean.
   • Shoals (n): Large groups of fish swimming together.
   • Solitary (adj): Preferring to be alone; not in a group.
   • Unprecedented (adj): Never seen or done before.
   • Acceleration (n): The act of increasing speed quickly.
   • Swipes (n): Quick, powerful movements (e.g., of a tail).
   • Cornered (adj): Trapped with no way to escape.
   • Mob (n): A large, aggressive group of animals or people.
   • Notorious (adj): Famous for something bad.
2. Provide 10 additional related vocabulary words for expansion:
   • Predator (n): An animal that hunts others.
   • Prey (n): An animal hunted by another.
   • Cliffs (n): Steep rock faces, often by the sea.
   • Jagged (adj): Having rough, sharp edges.
   • Confidence (n): A feeling of strength or belief in ability.
   • Explosive (adj): Sudden and powerful.
   • Strategy (n): A plan to achieve a goal.
   • Instinct (n): Natural behavior animals are born with.
   • Marine (adj): Related to the sea or ocean.
   • Survival (n): The act of staying alive in difficult conditions.
3. Hand out a matching exercise where students pair the 20 words with their definitions.
4. Discuss examples using the words in sentences (e.g., “The shark is a notorious predator in the ocean.”).

Listening/reading comprehension (15 minutes)

Activity: Listening and comprehension questions

1. Play the audio/video of the transcript (or read it aloud clearly).
2. Provide students with the transcript to follow along.
3. Ask comprehension questions:
   • Where does this scene take place? (Africa’s southern coast)
   • Why do seals risk their lives? (To find food)
   • What makes great white sharks dangerous? (Patience, explosive acceleration)
   • What surprising action do the seals take? (They turn on the sharks as a group)
   • What is the outcome of the seals’ strategy? (They drive the sharks away)
4. Discuss: Why do you think the seals’ strategy works?

Speaking practice (10 minutes)

Activity: Group discussion

1. Divide students into small groups.
2. Assign discussion prompts:
   • Have you seen animals work together to survive? Describe.
   • Why do you think teamwork is important for survival?
   • What other animals use groups to protect themselves?
3. Encourage use of new vocabulary (e.g., predator, mob, confidence).
4. Monitor and provide feedback on vocabulary usage.

Writing practice (10 minutes)

Activity: Short paragraph

1. Ask students to write a short paragraph (5-7 sentences) answering one of the following:
   • Describe how seals protect themselves from great white sharks.
   • Explain why teamwork is important for animals in dangerous situations.
2. Require students to use at least 5 vocabulary words from the lesson.
3. Collect and provide feedback on vocabulary and grammar.

Wrap-up (5 minutes)

Activity: Vocabulary review and reflection

1. Play a quick game: Say a definition, and students call out the matching vocabulary word.
2. Ask: What did you learn about seals today? Which word was your favorite?
3. Assign homework: Find a short article or video about another marine animal and write 3 sentences using new vocabulary words.

Assessment

• Participation in discussions and activities.
• Accuracy in vocabulary matching and comprehension questions.
• Use of vocabulary and clarity in the writing task.