Urban Social Issues
Off2Class Lesson Plan
ESL Lesson Plan
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
Thank you for downloading your FREE Off2Class lesson plan!
This teacher-led lesson plan is designed using the communicative
approach - perfect for teaching students online or in any
screen-enabled classroom.
To access the Teacher Notes and Answer Key, or to assign
homework, click here to set up your FREE Off2class account.
Don’t forget to join the discussion on Facebook to get access to
other great tools for online ESL instruction.
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
Urban versus rural living
Do you live in an urban
or a rural area?
What are the advantages of living in an urban area and
what are the advantages of living in a rural area?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
Challenges of urban living
What are some of the most common
issues in modern urban communities?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
Social issues
over population drug dependency
addiction
ghetto
alcohol
infrastructure
poverty
unemployment
health issues
youth
uneducated the elderly
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
What about in your
country?
What are the biggest problems in the
larger cities in your country?
How are these problems being
dealt with?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
Poverty
Is poverty becoming the most important
social issue in modern urban areas?
How are the poor treated in your country?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
Words for urban issues…
obsolete
crumbling
lack access to
something
investment in
something
marginalized
homeless
isolated
run-down
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
What are some of the possible ways for the
authorities to deal with these social issues?
social welfare
public programs
government
departments
benefits /
payments
long-term projects
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
Graffiti
Is graffiti an art
form?
Should graffiti artists be promoted
instead of being persecuted?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
Infrastructure
How important is
it for a city to
have good
infrastructure?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
Pollution What are the
biggest
contributing
factors to urban
pollution?
Is pollution one of the
major issues in urban
areas?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
Discuss this quote
‘Ultimately we need to recognize that while humans
continue to build urban landscapes, we share these
spaces with others species.’
David Suzuki
What impacts does urban lifestyle have on the other
species, such as birds, animals, fish, plants, etc.?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
Discuss this quote
‘I saw America's economy last night, people raiding dumpsters
at a higher rate than normal in my home town. Digging through
garbage shouldn't be a career. Thanks Democrats. Thanks
Republicans.’
Carroll Bryant
How about financial
institutions and capitalism?
Do you think politics and
politicians are responsible for
having so many homeless and
poor people?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
More to talk about!
Are gangs and gang
related violence a big
issue in your country?
What can be done to keep
the youth away from the
gangs and the streets?
Are drug dependency and
other addictions related only to
the poor and the urban areas?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
More to talk about!
What are some possible
solutions for the
overpopulation problem
in urban areas?
What are the biggest
challenges that health
systems have to face in
large cities?
© 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
