CLIL Lesson Plan: Exploring the City and Directions for A1 EFL Learners

Lesson Theme: Discovering the City and Directions
Target Group: EFL Primary School Students (A1 Level)
Duration: 60 minutes

Curriculum Links:

• Subject: Geography (City Features)
• Language: Basic English Vocabulary and Simple Commands

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify and describe key features of a city (e.g., school, park, supermarket).
2. Give and follow basic directions (e.g., turn left, go straight).
3. Use vocabulary related to the city and directions in simple sentences.

The 5E Methodology

The 5E Model consists of five phases: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. This approach fosters deeper understanding and retention of the material while integrating language learning with content knowledge.

1. Engage (10 minutes)

Activity: City Map Puzzle

• Prepare a simple puzzle map of a fictional city with landmarks (school, park, supermarket, hospital).
• Distribute a piece of the map to each student.
• Ask students to come together and piece the map correctly as a class.
• While doing this, guide them to name the places (using visuals if necessary).
• Objective: Spark interest and introduce vocabulary related to the city.

2. Explore (15 minutes)

Activity: Scavenger Hunt

• Divide students into small groups and give each group a list of places (school, park, hospital, etc.) and directional phrases (e.g., "go straight," "turn right").
• Set up pictures or signs around the classroom or schoolyard that represent different city locations.
• Students will use simple directions to find these locations.
• Objective: Enable students to use language in context while exploring their environment.

3. Explain (10 minutes)

Activity: Directing Each Other

• Gather students back in a circle.
• Introduce basic directional vocabulary with gestures: left, right, straight, behind, in front.
• Illustrate with simple prepositions and draw a basic sketch on the board explaining how to get from one place to another using visuals.
• Example sentences:
  • "Go straight to the park."
  • "Turn right at the supermarket."
• Objective: Build comprehension of giving and following directions.

4. Elaborate (15 minutes)

Activity: Role-Playing

• Pairs of students will take turns being the 'tourist' and the 'local.'
• The 'local' gives the 'tourist' directions to a landmark in the city using the vocabulary learned (e.g., "First, turn left at the school, then go straight").
• Provide students with a simple role-play worksheet to guide their dialogue.
• Encourage creativity—perhaps they can create their own landmarks!
• Objective: Foster speaking skills in a real and fun context.

5. Evaluate (10 minutes)

Assessment: City and Directions Quiz

• Prepare a short quiz with the following sections:
  1. Matching: Match city landmarks to their pictures.
  2. Fill-in-the-Blanks: Provide sentences with missing directional vocabulary for students to complete.
  3. Oral Directions: In pairs, students take turns giving directions verbally to their partner who follows them around the classroom.
• Collect worksheets to assess understanding and participation in role-play.
• Objective: Measure vocabulary retention and ability to use simple structures related to directions.

Materials Needed

• Puzzle pieces of a simple map
• Pictures or signs of city places
• Role-play worksheets
• Quiz worksheets
• Whiteboard and markers

Conclusion

Integrating English language learning with content through a CLIL approach enhances engagement and understanding of both the target language and subject matter. The 5E methodology encourages active participation and practical application, essential for A1 level EFL primary school students. After the lesson, students should feel more confident navigating both their city and using basic English in real-life contexts.