The fentanyl crisis in America and other countries — ESL lesson

This lesson focuses on a significant and serious topic: the fentanyl crisis. The lesson introduces new vocabulary, useful phrases, and conversation practice to clarify why this is a crisis and explore efforts to address it.

Despite the topic’s weight, explanations remain simple, with clear examples and a supportive environment for sharing ideas. By the end, learners will confidently discuss this issue using new terms and concepts.

The fentanyl crisis impacts countries worldwide, from the United States to Canada, Australia, and beyond. This synthetic opioid, frequently misused, contributes to thousands of overdoses and deaths annually, devastating families and communities.

For instance, in 2022, over 70,000 deaths in the U.S. were linked to fentanyl-related overdoses, with similar trends emerging in Canada and Europe.

Driven by illegal trafficking from regions like China and Mexico, the crisis remains challenging to curb, though police seizures, treatment programs, and medications like Narcan are saving lives. This lesson explores the crisis’s severity and the solutions being pursued.

Basic vocabulary

• Fentanyl: A strong drug used for pain, but dangerous if misused.
• Crisis: A serious problem that affects many people.
• Drug: A substance that changes how the body or mind works.
• Overdose: Taking too much of a drug, which can cause death.
• Addiction: When someone cannot stop using a drug, even if it harms them.
• Opioid: A type of drug, like fentanyl, that affects the brain and body.
• Death: When someone stops living.
• Trafficking: Illegally moving or selling drugs.
• Border: The line separating two countries, like the U.S. and Mexico.
• Community: A group of people living in the same area.
• Prevention: Actions to stop something bad from happening.
• Treatment: Help or medicine to make someone better.
• Law enforcement: Police or government workers who stop illegal activities.
• Supply: The amount of something available, like drugs.
• Health: The condition of a person’s body or mind.

Vocabulary for extension

• Synthetic: A drug made in a lab, not from plants, like fentanyl.
• Precursor: Chemicals used to make drugs like fentanyl.
• Cartel: A group that sells illegal drugs.
• Epidemic: A problem, like a disease or drug issue, that spreads fast.
• Policy: A plan or rule made by the government.
• Recovery: Getting better after addiction or illness.
• Seizure: When police take illegal drugs or items.
• Social media: Apps like Instagram or Snapchat, sometimes used to sell drugs.
• Withdrawal: Painful symptoms when someone stops using a drug.
• Narcan: A medicine that can stop an overdose.

Video links

• Seattle’s addiction: The fentanyl crisis destroying the city 
• SF doctors observe fentanyl side effect that causes people to be completely bent over after use
• Inside Canada’s fentanyl overdose epidemic | SBS Dateline 

Useful phrases

• “The fentanyl crisis is…”
• “Fentanyl is dangerous because…”
• “For example, it affects…”
• “Governments are trying to…”
• “One problem is…”
• “What do you know about…?”

Example conversation

Teacher: Hello! Today, we’ll talk about the fentanyl crisis. Do you know what a drug is?
Student: Yes, like medicine?
Teacher: Good! Some drugs, like fentanyl, are medicines but can be dangerous if used incorrectly. A crisis is a big problem. The fentanyl crisis hurts many people. Have you heard about it?
Student: Maybe… people die from drugs?
Teacher: Yes, exactly. Let’s learn more about why this happens.

Teaching tips

• Use visuals like a picture of a pill or a news headline about overdoses to connect vocabulary to the topic.
• Practice pronunciation for words like “fentanyl” (FEN-tuh-nil) or “crisis” (KRY-sis).
• Create flashcards with words on one side and simple definitions or pictures on the other for quick recall.
• Be sensitive to the topic, as learners may know someone affected by addiction or overdose.

Explaining the fentanyl crisis

Break down the topic into key areas: what fentanyl is, its effects, where it comes from, and efforts to stop it. Use simple examples and visuals (if possible) to make it clear.

Key points with simple explanations

1. What is fentanyl?
   • Fentanyl is a strong drug used in hospitals for pain, but is often made and sold illegally.
   • Example: Just 2 milligrams (like a few grains of sand) can cause an overdose.
   • Good: Helps doctors treat pain.
   • Not so good: Illegal fentanyl is mixed with other drugs, causing many deaths.
2. Effects on people and communities
   • Fentanyl causes addiction and overdoses, killing thousands yearly.
   • Example: In 2022, about 73,000 Americans died from fentanyl overdoses.
   • Good: Raises awareness about drug dangers.
   • Not so good: Hurts families, communities, and health systems.
3. Where it comes from
   • Most illegal fentanyl comes from China and Mexico, smuggled across borders.
   • Example: Cartels in Mexico mix fentanyl with other drugs and sell it in the U.S.
   • Good: Countries work together to stop trafficking.
   • Not so good: It’s hard to stop drugs at borders.
4. Efforts to stop the crisis
   • Governments use police, laws, and treatment programs to fight the crisis.
   • Example: The U.S. seizes fentanyl at borders, and Narcan saves lives from overdoses.
   • Good: Seizures and treatments reduce deaths.
   • Not so good: The crisis is still growing in some areas.

Useful phrases for explanation

• “Fentanyl is a drug that…”
• “The crisis affects people by…”
• “For example, in America…”
• “One solution is…”
• “In other countries, they…”
• “The problem is…”

Example conversation

Teacher: Let’s talk about fentanyl. Do you know what it is?
Student: Is it a drug? Teacher: Yes! Fentanyl is a strong drug for pain, but illegal fentanyl causes overdoses. For example, in America, it killed about 73,000 people in 2022. Why do you think this is a crisis?
Student: Because many people die? Teacher: Right! It’s a big problem for communities. But there’s a problem: it’s hard to stop. What else do you think happens?
Student: Maybe families are sad?
Teacher: Exactly. The crisis hurts families and communities.

Teaching tips

• Use a map to show where fentanyl comes from (e.g., China, Mexico) to make it visual.
• Simplify numbers (e.g., “thousands die” instead of exact figures) for beginners.
• Discuss solutions like treatment or Narcan to balance the heavy topic with hope.

Activities to reinforce learning

Use interactive activities to help the learner practice vocabulary and phrases while thinking about the topic.

Activity 1: Vocabulary matching

• Write vocabulary words (e.g., fentanyl, overdose, trafficking) and their meanings on separate cards.
• Ask the learner to match each word to its meaning.
• Example: Match “overdose” with “taking too much of a drug, which can cause death.”

Activity 2: Sentence completion

• Provide sentence starters using the phrases, and ask the learner to finish them.
• Examples:
  • “The fentanyl crisis is…” (e.g., “a big problem because many people die.”)
  • “One solution is…” (e.g., “using Narcan to stop overdoses.”)
• Encourage the learner to use their own ideas.

Activity 3: Role-play conversation

• Pretend to be two people (e.g., a teacher and student or a reporter and expert) discussing the fentanyl crisis.
• Example script: Student: What is the fentanyl crisis? Teacher: It’s a big problem with a drug called fentanyl. It causes many deaths. Student: Where does it come from? Teacher: Mostly from China and Mexico. It’s sold illegally. Student: How can we stop it? Teacher: Police seize drugs, and doctors use Narcan to save lives.

Teaching tips

• Keep activities short and focused to avoid overwhelming beginners.
• Use real-world examples (e.g., a news story) to make activities relevant.
• Encourage learners to share what they’ve heard about drugs in their community, if comfortable.

Checking understanding

Ask simple questions to see if the learner understands the topic and can use the vocabulary and phrases.

Example questions to ask

• What is fentanyl? Can you give an example?
• Why is the fentanyl crisis a problem?
• What is one way fentanyl affects communities?
• What is one solution to stop the crisis?
• Where does illegal fentanyl come from?

Example conversation

Teacher: Can you tell me what fentanyl is?
Student: It’s a strong drug that can kill people.
Teacher: Great! Why is the fentanyl crisis a problem?
Student: Because it causes overdoses and deaths.
Teacher: Good answer! What’s one way to stop it?
Student: Maybe police can take the drugs away?
Teacher: Yes, that’s called a seizure. You’re doing great!

Teaching tips

• Praise correct answers to build confidence, and gently correct mistakes.
• Use open-ended questions for intermediate learners to encourage longer responses.

Encouraging discussion

End the lesson with an open discussion to build confidence and encourage the learner to share their thoughts.

Prompts for discussion

• Do you think the fentanyl crisis is a big problem? Why?
• Have you heard about drugs like fentanyl in your community?
• What can people do to stop the crisis?
• How does technology, like social media, affect the fentanyl crisis?

Example conversation

Teacher: Let’s talk about you. Have you heard about the fentanyl crisis before?
Student: Yes, I saw it on the news. It’s scary.
Teacher: I agree. Why do you think it’s a problem?
Student: Because people die, and families are sad.
Teacher: That’s true. What can we do to help?
Student: Maybe teach people about the danger?
Teacher: Great idea! Education is important. You did well today!

Teaching tips

• Be sensitive, as learners may have personal experiences with addiction or loss.
• Encourage positive ideas, like prevention or treatment, to end on a hopeful note.
• For group settings, let learners share ideas in pairs before discussing with the class.

Teaching strategy

Here’s a step-by-step lesson plan to teach the fentanyl crisis effectively (approximately 45 minutes).

Step 1: Warm-up (5 minutes)

• Ask: “Have you heard about drugs in the news? What do you know?” to spark interest.
• Show a simple image (e.g., a news headline or a map of drug trafficking routes) to introduce the topic.

Step 2: Vocabulary introduction (10 minutes)

• Present the vocabulary list using visuals like a picture of a pill or a border map.
• Practice pronunciation, especially for terms like “fentanyl” or “overdose.”
• Play a quick game: Say a word (e.g., “crisis”), and learners explain it or use it in a sentence.

Step 3: Phrase practice (10 minutes)

• Display key phrases and model them (e.g., “The fentanyl crisis is a big problem because it causes deaths.”).
• Have learners practice by filling in blanks (e.g., “Fentanyl is dangerous because ____.”).
• Correct pronunciation and grammar gently, emphasizing clear communication.

Step 4: Conversation practice (15 minutes)

• Read one example conversation aloud, using a natural tone.
• Role-play with the learner, switching roles (e.g., teacher as reporter, learner as expert).
• Ask learners to create their own short dialogue about the fentanyl crisis.

Step 5: Wrap-up and personalization (5 minutes)

• Have each learner share one or two sentences about the fentanyl crisis (e.g., “Fentanyl is dangerous because it causes overdoses.”).
• Provide feedback on their use of vocabulary and phrases.
• Assign homework: Write 3-5 sentences about the fentanyl crisis or practice a dialogue with a friend.

Additional tips

• Cultural sensitivity: Be aware that drug issues may be stigmatized in some cultures. Create a safe space for discussion and avoid judgment.
• Visual aids: Use a map, a news article screenshot, or a video clip about the fentanyl crisis to make the lesson engaging.
• Listening practice: Play a short audio or video clip (e.g., a news report on YouTube) about the fentanyl crisis to expose learners to different accents.
• Adapt for level: For beginners, focus on simple phrases (e.g., “Fentanyl is dangerous.”). For intermediate learners, encourage details (e.g., “Fentanyl comes from Mexico and causes many deaths.”).
• Incorporate technology: If teaching online, share a screen with a map or article about the crisis, or use a virtual whiteboard to highlight vocabulary.
• Address common mistakes:
  • Grammar: Learners may say “Fentanyl are” instead of “Fentanyl is.” Emphasize singular verb agreement.
  • Pronunciation: Words like “fentanyl” or “trafficking” may be hard. Practice these explicitly.
  • Word choice: Clarify differences like “drug” (general) vs. “opioid” (specific type).

Example activity: “Discuss the crisis”

For group classes, try this interactive activity.

• Give each learner a list of 3-4 facts about the fentanyl crisis (e.g., “Fentanyl comes from Mexico,” “It causes thousands of deaths”).
• Learners take turns explaining one fact to the group, using phrases like “The crisis is…” or “One solution is…”
• Others ask questions (e.g., “Why is fentanyl dangerous?” or “How can we stop it?”).
• Alternatively, create a “Find Someone Who” game (e.g., “Find someone who knows a solution to the drug crisis”).

Homework or follow-up

• Writing: Write a short paragraph (5 sentences) about the fentanyl crisis or a solution to it.
• Speaking: Record a 30-second audio or video explaining what the fentanyl crisis is.
• Research: Look at a news article online about the fentanyl crisis and write down three new related words (e.g., “epidemic,” “seizure,” “addiction”).