TED Talk Activities for English as a Second or Foreign Language Classes

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 Introduction: What are TED Talks?

TED Talks are short, powerful presentations given by experts, thinkers, and innovators from around the world. With topics ranging from science and education to art and personal growth, TED Talks are an incredible resource for ESL (English as a Second or Foreign Language) classrooms. They are freely available online, often with subtitles and transcripts, making them an accessible and engaging tool for both teachers and students.

Why Use TED Talks in ESL Classes?

  1. Authentic Language Exposure
    Unlike scripted textbook dialogues, TED Talks present real-life English. The speakers come from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, which exposes students to different accents, intonation, and vocabulary. This makes them particularly useful for ESL intermediate/advanced learners.

  2. Skill Integration: Listening, Writing, and Speaking
    TED Talks are perfect for training multiple skills in one lesson:

    • Listening skills: Students practice understanding authentic, unsimplified English.

    • Writing skills: Learners can respond with summaries, essays, or ESL writing prompts based on the talk.

    • Speaking skills: Students can discuss themes, debate opinions, or even deliver their own mini TED-style presentations.

  3. Engaging Themes and Current Issues
    TED Talks cover fascinating topics such as technology, climate change, creativity, leadership, and personal development. These contemporary issues can inspire ESL speaking topics and encourage critical thinking. Students are more motivated when dealing with content that feels relevant and thought-provoking.

TED Talk ESL Classroom Activities

1. Reading Comprehension Before Watching

Before playing the video, provide students with background information about TED Talks followed by comprehension questions. This activates prior knowledge and prepares them for TED Talks, what they are and what they consist of.

2. ESL Listening Activities with TED Talks

Play the video in sections and provide ESL listening activities such as:

  • Multiple-choice comprehension questions

  • True/false statements

  • Note-taking exercises

  • Gap-fill worksheets using key phrases from the talk

This trains learners to focus on the main ideas as well as details.

3. Vocabulary Building Exercises

After watching, highlight useful expressions, idioms, and academic vocabulary. Students can:

  • Match words to definitions

  • Create their own example sentences

  • Use the new words in ESL writing prompts or speaking tasks

4. ESL Writing Prompts Based on TED Talks

Assign short writing tasks where students reflect on the talk. Examples include:

  • Writing a summary of the speaker’s main points

  • Giving their own opinion in a short essay

  • Responding to guided ESL intermediate/advanced writing prompts such as “Do you agree with the speaker? Why or why not?”

5. Speaking Practice: Giving a Mini TED Talk

One of the most exciting ESL speaking activities is to have students prepare and deliver their own short TED-style presentation. Encourage them to:

  • Choose a topic they are passionate about

  • Use some of the new vocabulary from the TED Talk they studied

  • Practice persuasive techniques to express their opinion clearly and convincingly

This activity combines critical thinking, speaking practice, and creativity, while also helping students build confidence.

Conclusion: A Teacher Toolbox Essential

TED Talks are an excellent addition to any ESL teacher’s toolbox. They provide authentic listening practice, inspire meaningful ESL writing prompts, and spark engaging ESL speaking topics. Whether through ESL TED Talks worksheets, listening comprehension tasks, or mini-presentations, students at the intermediate and advanced levels gain valuable exposure to real-world English while improving their communication skills.

By incorporating TED Talk activities into your ESL classroom, you can transform lessons into dynamic, thought-provoking experiences that go beyond traditional textbooks.







Location: New Jersey, Stati Uniti

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