Protecting the Amazon rainforest — Video-based ESL lesson

In this 60-75 minute session, designed for intermediate to advanced learners (B1-C1), we’ll explore the environmental challenges facing the Amazon and the inspiring efforts of the Guajajara people, particularly their “Guerreiras das Floresta” (Warriors of the Forest), to safeguard their land.

Through engaging activities like brainstorming, listening or reading a transcript, role-playing, and writing, you’ll enhance your listening, reading, speaking, and vocabulary skills while learning about critical issues like deforestation, illegal logging, and Indigenous activism.

Protecting the Amazon rainforest

Level: Intermediate to Advanced (B1-C1)
Duration: 60-75 minutes
Objective: Students will improve their listening, reading, speaking, and vocabulary skills while learning about environmental issues and Indigenous activism in the Amazon rainforest.
Materials: Audio/video of “The Warriors Fighting to Defend the Amazon“, whiteboard, handouts, access to a dictionary or device for vocabulary lookup.

Lesson outline

Warm-up (10 minutes)

Activity: Discussion and brainstorming

1. Write “Amazon rainforest” on the board and ask:
   • What do you know about the Amazon rainforest?
   • Why is it important for the world?
   • What threats do you think it faces?
2. Elicit responses and write key words (e.g., ecosystem, wildlife, deforestation) on the board.
3. Introduce the topic: “Today, we’ll learn about the Guajajara people and their efforts to protect the Amazon rainforest.”

Listening/reading activity (15 minutes)

Activity: Listening comprehension and text analysis

1. Pre-listening/reading: Distribute the transcript and review key vocabulary (see below for core vocabulary). Ask students to predict what “Guerreiras das Floresta” might mean.
2. Listening/reading:
   • If audio/video is available, play it while students follow the transcript.
   • If no audio, have students read the transcript silently or aloud in pairs.
3. Comprehension questions:
   • Where is the Caru Indigenous Land located?
   • What threats does the Amazon rainforest face?
   • Who are the “Guerreiras das Floresta,” and what is their goal?
   • What technology do the women warriors use to protect their land?
   • Who is Sonia Guajajara, and what is her role?
4. Discuss answers as a class to ensure understanding.

Key vocabulary (10 minutes)

• Ecosystem (n): A community of living organisms interacting with their environment.
• Illegal logging (n): Cutting down trees without permission, often harming the environment.
• Poaching (n): Illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals.
• Deforestation (n): The clearing or removal of forests.
• Indigenous (adj): Native to a particular region or land.
• Patrol (v/n): To monitor or guard an area to ensure safety.
• Strategic (adj): Carefully planned to achieve a goal.
• Tipping point (n): A critical moment when significant change occurs.
• Preserve (v): To protect or maintain something in its original state.
• Irrefutable (adj): Impossible to deny or disprove.

Vocabulary for extension

• Biodiversity (n): The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
• Conservation (n): The protection and preservation of natural resources.
• Encroachment (n): Gradual intrusion into someone’s territory or rights.
• Sustainability (n): Using resources in a way that preserves them for the future.
• Advocacy (n): Public support for a cause or policy.
• Resilience (n): The ability to recover from difficulties.
• Exploit (v): To use something unfairly for one’s own benefit.
• Habitat (n): The natural environment where a species lives.
• Mitigate (v): To reduce the severity or impact of something.
• Stewardship (n): The responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.

Activity

1. Provide definitions and example sentences for each word.
2. Ask students to match vocabulary to meanings or use the words in sentences about the Amazon.
3. Pair work: Students create a short dialogue using 3-4 vocabulary words.

Speaking activity (15 minutes)

Activity: Role-play and discussion

1. Role-play: Divide students into groups of 3-4. Assign roles:
   • A Guajajara warrior explaining their work to a journalist.
   • A journalist is asking questions about their efforts to protect the rainforest.
   • A government official discussing solutions to illegal logging.
   • (Optional) A local resident affected by deforestation.
2. Give students 5 minutes to prepare, using the transcript for ideas. Encourage the use of core vocabulary.
3. Groups perform their role-plays for the class.
4. Follow-up discussion:
   • What can governments do to support Indigenous efforts?
   • How can individuals help protect rainforests?

Writing activity (15 minutes)

Activity: Opinion paragraph

1. Prompt: “Why is it important to protect the Amazon rainforest, and what can people do to help?”
2. Students write a 100-150 word paragraph, incorporating at least 3 core vocabulary words.
3. Peer review: Students exchange paragraphs and provide feedback on vocabulary use and clarity.

Wrap-up (5 minutes)

1. Review key points: Importance of the Amazon, role of the Guajajara warriors, and threats like deforestation.
2. Ask: “What was the most interesting thing you learned today?”
3. Assign homework: Research one other Indigenous group in the Amazon and write a short summary (50-100 words).

Notes for teachers

• Adjust activities based on students’ levels (e.g., simplify questions for B1 or expand discussions for C1).
• Encourage critical thinking about environmental and cultural preservation.
• If technology is available, show images or videos of the Amazon to enhance engagement.
• For homework, provide a link to a reliable source (e.g., WWF or National Geographic) for research.