Billionaire bunkers and the prepper mentality: Video-based ESL lesson

This intermediate ESL lesson plan is designed for B1-B2 students. Based on the BBC 6 Minute English podcast, it explores the fascinating world of survivalism, luxury bunkers, and why tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg are preparing for an apocalypse.

Teacher’s note: I’ve found that even my quietest B1 students light up when discussing billionaire bunkers. It’s a perfect “hook” to sneak in complex grammar like the second conditional because the hypothetical scenarios are so extreme. Tip: If your students are high-level B2, challenge them to debate whether a bunker is a “right” or a “privilege” during the final activity.

Lesson overview

• Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)
• Topic: Survivalism, tech billionaires, and future risks
• Skills: Vocabulary building, listening comprehension, and speaking
• Materials: video/transcript, writing journal, student handouts

Warm-up discussion

• Do you think you are good at preparing for unexpected events?
• How much food do you have in your house right now? Would it last a week?
• If you had $100 million, what is the first “luxury” thing you would buy?

Pre-reading: The rise of the elite survivalist

Prepping isn’t just for woodsmen anymore. Recently, the movement shifted from rural cabins straight into Silicon Valley boardrooms. For many tech leaders, building a luxury bunker is no longer just about safety—it is a matter of status. These billionaires aren’t just buying land; they are preparing for a potential apocalypse or a global nuclear threat without wanting to compromise their high-end lifestyles.

It isn’t just about beans and rice anymore. This “survivalist mentality” has created a massive market for luxury goods, ranging from high-tech security systems to gourmet freeze-dried meals. While these individuals argue that they are simply being reasonably cautious about societal collapse or AI risk, critics wonder if the people building our future are actually terrified of it.

Grammar spotlight: The second conditional

Use the second conditional to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations in the present or future.

The structure: If + past simple, ... would + infinitive

Examples:

• “If you had $100 million, what would you buy?” (You don’t have $100 million right now.)
• “If a disaster happened, a prepper would be ready.” (A disaster is not currently happening.)

Quick check: Can you complete these sentences?

1. If I ________ (win) the lottery, I ________ (build) a bunker in New Zealand.
2. If the world ________ (end) tomorrow, I ________ (be) very surprised!

Key vocabulary

Understanding these 10 terms is essential for following the discussion on survivalism and wealth.

I show my students this Mountain House Beef Stroganoff pouch to explain the texture and shelf-life.

Extension vocabulary

Use these terms to deepen your English conversation about technology and the future.

• Reasonably: To a moderate or fair degree.
• Reportedly: According to what many people say; unconfirmed.
• Self-sustaining: Able to continue in a healthy state without outside assistance. (Think about his 1400+ acre estate and cattle ranch).
• Billionaire: A person who possesses assets worth at least one billion dollars.
• CEO: Chief Executive Officer; the top leader of a company.
• Property: Land or buildings owned by someone.
• AI risk: The potential dangers posed by artificial intelligence.
• Climate disaster: Catastrophic weather events caused by climate change.
• Shelter: A place giving temporary protection from danger.
• Feature: A distinctive attribute (e.g., “The bunker has a cinema feature”).
• “I’m not kidding”: An informal idiom meaning “I am being serious.”

Reading and listening comprehension

1. According to the video, what are two survival tasks a prepper might do?
2. What “spy film” features are found in luxury bunkers?
3. Why does Nathalie mention freeze-dried food adverts in the US?
4. Besides safety, why do billionaires build these structures? (Hint: It relates to status).
5. How much is Mark Zuckerberg reportedly spending on his Hawaii property?

Reading and listening comprehension answers

1. Survival tasks: Building a shelter/bunker and stockpiling food (freeze-dried).
2. Spy film features: Blast-proof doors, secret tunnels, and hidden cameras.
3. Freeze-dried food: To show that “prepping” has become a massive commercial industry in the US.
4. Status: It is a way to show off wealth; a “luxury” item that proves they are more prepared than others.
5. Zuckerberg’s spending: Reportedly over $270 million (including land and construction).

Activity: How would you build a luxury bunker?

Task: You have an unlimited budget. In pairs, design the ultimate underground shelter.

• Location: Choose a remote spot (e.g., the Swiss Alps or a private island).
• Stock: List three food or drink items you cannot live without.
• Amenities: Choose three high-end features (e.g., a gym, a home cinema, or a hydroponic garden).
• Presentation: Present your “sales pitch” to the class using at least five vocabulary words from this lesson.

Need inspiration for your bunker’s tech? Check out these high-end solar generators
or professional-grade water filtration systems to see what real-life preppers are buying.

The “big question” debate

“If tech billionaires are the ones building the future, why are they so afraid of it?”

Discussion topic: Does it make you feel more or less safe knowing that the creators of modern technology are building underground shelters? Discuss the societal impact of this trend.

Quiz: Billionaire bunkers and the prepper mentality

Part 1: Multiple choice questions

Select the best answer for each question.

1. What is a “prepper”? a) A professional chef who prepares luxury meals. b) Someone who prepares for a likely future disaster. c) A person who builds expensive houses in Hawaii.
2. Which of these is a common “luxury feature” mentioned in the lesson? a) A high-speed elevator to the surface. b) A home cinema or a gym. c) A private rocket ship.
3. What does “freeze-dried” mean in the context of food? a) Food that must be kept in a freezer at all times. b) Food that is cooked at very high temperatures. c) Food preserved by removing moisture so it lasts a long time.
4. If someone says “I’m not kidding,” they are: a) Telling a joke. b) Being serious. c) Feeling angry.
5. In the lesson, “mentality” refers to: a) A person’s physical health. b) A person’s way of thinking. c) The amount of money a person has.
6. Why is a luxury bunker considered a “status symbol”? a) Because it shows the owner is very important or wealthy. b) Because it is hidden underground. c) Because it protects the owner from AI risks.
7. What does it mean to “compromise” your lifestyle? a) To improve your standard of living. b) To lower your standards or give something up. c) To move to a new country.
8. According to the lesson, which CEO is building a massive project in Hawaii? a) Elon Musk. b) Nathalie Jimenez. c) Mark Zuckerberg.
9. The word “societal” relates to: a) People living together in a community or group. b) Building secret underground structures. c) Developing new technology.
10. How much is the Hawaii property reportedly costing? a) $10 million. b) $50 million. c) Over $200 million.

Part 2: Fill in the blank

Use the words from the vocabulary list to complete the sentences.

1. During a ___________ event, many people fear that the world as we know it will end.
2. If you want to survive a nuclear war, you might need to build an underground ___________.
3. She is ___________ organized; she has enough water to last for two weeks.
4. The tech ___________ are spending a lot of money to ensure they stay safe from future risks.
5. Many experts are worried about ___________ and how it might negatively affect human jobs in the future.

Answer key

Conclusion: Why this topic works for intermediate students

This ESL lesson plan does more than just teach vocabulary; it challenges B1-B2 students to think critically about the intersection of technology, wealth, and global risk. By using the second conditional to discuss hypothetical “what if” scenarios, students move beyond simple descriptions and begin to express complex opinions—the hallmark of intermediate-level fluency.

Whether they are fascinated by the tech behind a hydroponic garden or skeptical of the prepper mentality, this lesson provides the perfect balance of structured grammar and high-interest discussion.

Join the conversation: What is in your bunker?

We want to hear from you! If you were designing an underground shelter with an unlimited budget, what is the one “luxury” item you couldn’t live without?

• Teachers: How did your students react to the Mark Zuckerberg Hawaii story?
• Students: Do you think building these bunkers makes the world safer or more dangerous?

Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!