If you are in need of a classic A2 clothing vocabulary lesson plan on clothing, look no further. The twist of the lesson is that students not only focus on their seasonal clothing but also think about the combinations and typical outfits they would wear in each season.
For some strange reason, I could never find a good lesson on clothing vocabulary. There was one that I usually went with, but I wasn’t fully happy with it. As another A2-level lesson on clothing is slowly coming my way, I thought that the time to change it has finally come. This class combines the typical structure of a lesson on clothing with a twist in the form of a short listening of a native speaker (an American girl) talking about her favourite seasonal outfit. Additionally, there are plenty of opportunities to speak in pairs and groups.
So, if you are also looking for a way to change the way you normally teach clothing vocabulary, you can find the lesson plan with the worksheet and the presentation at the end of the post. And, perhaps, if you are looking for a class on a siimlar topic but for a higher level group, you should definitely check out a Cambridge preparation class, B2 Writing Part 1 (essay) – The effects of fashion on people’s lives.
Warmer: Weather and seasons discussion
Since this is a usual class with a twist, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Start by revisiting the vocabulary of the seasons and asking students to discuss the weather they would expect in each one. Proceed by discussing their favourite and least favourite seasons and explaining why they feel this way.
Listening: Erika’s favourite seasonal outift
Tell students that you are going to listen to a short recording of an American girl, Erica, talking about her favourite seasonal outfit. The fun part is that students draw the outfits they hear. Compare the results and name each clothing item mentioned in the audio. You can find the recording by clicking the link Erika: my perfect outfit (originally on Audio Lingua – currently unavailable).
Vocabulary: Expansion activity
Show a table with seasons and, once again, ask students to remind you what Erika likes wearing in winter (a coat, a scarf, a hat, socks, boots). Together, think of some other clothes that people typically wear in winter. Then, put students into small groups and say they have three minutes to think of as many clothes as they can that you typically wear in spring, summer, and autumn. Calculate the number of answers from each group and announce the winner! This activity will help students remember the words better and make this class just a tad more memorable.
Spelling: Gap-fill exercise
Point out that Erika was a native speaker and spoke in a very natural way. Look at the text below and listen to Erika talking about her perfect winter outfit again. Students write down the missing words, which should help them with spelling in the future. This short text also serves as a guide for students to write a brief description of their perfect seasonal outfit. Monitor the activity and check for any grammar and spelling errors.
Speaking activity: The Suitcase Challenge
Finish the lesson with a collaborative speaking task that encourages students to put their new vocabulary into practice. Working in pairs, students imagine they are spending three days in London in autumn, but their suitcase is only big enough for six clothing items. They discuss the options, choose six items from the list and justify their decisions.
Once everyone has packed their suitcase, pair students with another group. They compare their choices, discuss any differences and decide which suitcase is better suited to the trip. This task naturally encourages students to explain their opinions, agree and disagree, and recycle the target vocabulary in a meaningful context before ending the lesson with a short whole-class discussion.
Final discussion: Talk about clothes
Finally, wrap up this A2 clothing vocabulary lesson with a short whole-class discussion. Students reflect on the vocabulary they have practised by sharing their opinions about seasonal clothing, discussing which season has the best outfits and whether they prefer comfort or style. These final questions provide a relaxed ending to the lesson while giving students one last opportunity to use the target language in a personal and meaningful way.
If you could only pack six clothing items for a three-day trip to London in autumn, what would you take?
This is a really cool lesson, I’m planning to use it for me ESL learners. So much more character than the usual lesson plans from books and online worksheets. Thanks so much for sharing!