What is this lesson about?

This Financial Wellbeing ESL lesson plan helps intermediate learners discuss money, spending habits, and financial decisions in everyday life. Students explore relatable situations such as saving for travel, managing expenses, and dealing with unexpected costs while building confidence talking about money in English.

What language will students learn?

Students practise vocabulary and natural expressions related to money, including:

Vocabulary

• budget

• savings

• investment

• income

• debt

• loan

• expense

• spending habits

Phrasal verbs

• set aside

• fork out

• cut back on

• splash out

• pay off

• save up

• run up

Idioms

• tighten your belt

• live within your means

• on a shoestring budget

• throw money down the drain

• make ends meet

• cost an arm and a leg

  
  

How do students practise?

Learners develop fluency through a conversation-first sequence:

• Spending habits warm-up discussion

• Money personality reflection

• “This or That” financial choices activity

• Real-life financial situations discussion

• Vocabulary discovery through scenarios

• Phrasal verbs explored through short money stories

• Personal finance discussion tasks

• Idioms used in opinion statements

• Financial advice scenario

• Personal reflection on financial wellbeing

  
  

Why is this lesson useful?

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

• Talk confidently about saving, spending, and financial habits

• Use natural phrasal verbs and idioms related to money

• Discuss financial decisions and priorities in everyday situations

• Reflect on their own financial wellbeing and habits

  
  

Who is it for?

This lesson is designed for adult ESL learners at B1–B2 level who want to improve their speaking skills while discussing practical topics such as money management, spending habits, and financial wellbeing.