Phrasal Verbs: Self-Care

What is this lesson about?

This free self-care phrasal verbs ESL lesson plan is designed for intermediate learners (B1–B2) who want to expand their vocabulary and speak naturally about wellness, balance, and daily habits.
Students learn eight practical phrasal verbs — wind down, sleep in, freshen up, slow down, let go of, open up, tune out, and catch up — through reading, reflection, and communicative activities.
Each task connects language to real self-care routines, helping learners build confidence and self-awareness in English.
 

How do students learn the new language?

Learners progress through a structured, wellbeing-focused sequence:

• Engaging warm-up discussion on personal relaxation habits.

• Reading and comprehension based on a realistic “Digital Detox Day.”

• Matching and meaning-clarification tasks with everyday examples.

• Personal practice through sentence completions and mini-scenarios.

• Reflective speaking tasks that link self-care to emotional wellbeing.
   

Why is this lesson useful?

By the end of the session, students can:

• Use phrasal verbs naturally in conversations about routines and wellbeing.

• Talk confidently about rest, relaxation, and healthy habits.

• Strengthen fluency through real-world, mindful speaking practice.

• Build a personal connection to English through meaningful reflection.
   

What makes this lesson special?
​This lesson goes beyond simple grammar practice — it invites learners to slow down, share experiences, and use English as a tool for mindfulness and balance.
By combining language learning with emotional intelligence, it helps students express their inner life as fluently as their outer one.

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Who is it for?

​Perfect for B1–B2 adult learners, especially those interested in self-development, wellness, and everyday communication.
Teachers who enjoy modern, human-centred materials will find it ready to use in both classroom and online settings.

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Related lessons

Phrasal Verbs: Travel – Premium ESL Lesson Plan (B1-B2) - Teaches eight essential phrasal verbs for discussing travel.

Phrasal Verbs: Sleep, Rest & Relaxation - Premium ESL Lesson Plan (B1-B2) - Teaches eight essential phrasal verbs for discussing sleep, rest, and relaxation.

Phrasal Verbs: Mindfulness & Meditation - Premium ESL Lesson Plan (B1-B2) - introduces students to mindfulness and meditation vocabulary through useful phrasal verbs.

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Discover practical self-care strategies in our blog post on avoiding burnout as an online ESL teacher.

Updated: 18/10/2025