ESL Speaking Lesson Plans for Online Classes (That Actually Get Students Talking)

Teaching speaking online sounds simple in theory. Log in, ask questions, start a discussion. In reality, it often feels very different. Cameras stay off. Answers are short. You end up talking far more than you planned to.

This is rarely a problem with your students. Most of the time, it’s the lesson plan. Many ESL speaking lesson plans are designed for physical classrooms and don’t translate well to online teaching. Online lessons need a slightly different approach, especially with adult learners.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what makes ESL speaking lesson plans for online classes work, the formats that consistently get students talking, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.

Why ESL speaking lessons feel harder online

Online lessons remove a lot of the natural cues we rely on in face-to-face teaching. You can’t always read body language, sense when someone wants to speak, or build energy in the same way.

Some common challenges include:

• Students feeling exposed when speaking on camera

• Awkward silences due to audio delay

• Too much teacher talk filling the gaps

• Activities that rely on movement or physical interaction

• Learners overthinking their answers because they feel “on display”

  
  

Good online speaking lessons don’t try to recreate the physical classroom. They lean into what works well online instead.

What actually works in online ESL speaking lesson plans

The most effective online speaking lesson plans share a few key qualities.

They are:

• Clear and predictable in structure

• Built around short, focused speaking tasks

• Relevant to adult learners’ lives

• Designed for interaction, not performance

• Flexible enough to adapt to energy levels

  
  

When students know what’s expected and feel safe to contribute, they speak more. Simplicity is a strength in online lessons.

Core elements of effective ESL speaking lesson plans for online classes

A strong, low-pressure warm-up

Warm-ups matter more online than in person. They help students arrive mentally and start speaking without stress.

Effective warm-ups include:

• This or that questions

• Quick opinion polls

• Short personal check-ins

• Chat-based prompts before speaking
  

A good warm-up lowers anxiety and signals that this lesson will be conversational, not interrogative.

Clear speaking prompts, not vague questions

One of the biggest reasons online speaking activities fail is unclear prompts.

Compare:

“What do you think about work-life balance?” with “Do you think people work too much today? Why or why not?”

Clear prompts give students something to respond to. They reduce hesitation and keep the conversation moving.

Built-in interaction

Online speaking lesson plans should never rely on one student speaking at a time for long periods.

Better alternatives include:

• Pair or small-group tasks

• Follow-up questions students ask each other

• Agree or disagree reactions

• Short turn-taking tasks
  

Interaction keeps energy up and stops lessons from becoming teacher-led interviews.

A balance of structure and freedom

Adult learners want guidance, but they also want space to express themselves.

Good speaking lesson plans provide:

• Clear task instructions

• A defined outcome

• Freedom in how students express ideas
  

This balance helps students feel supported without feeling restricted.

ESL speaking lesson plan formats that work especially well online

Discussion-based ESL speaking lesson plans

These are ideal for adult learners and online classes.

They focus on:

• Personal experience

• Opinions and reflection

• Real-life topics
  

Examples of discussion themes:

• Work-life balance

• Motivation and goals

• Healthy habits

• Culture and identity

• Relationships and communication
  

These lessons work well online because they don’t require complex materials and allow students to connect naturally.

Task-based ESL speaking lesson plans

Task-based lessons give students a clear reason to speak.

Examples include:

• Ranking priorities

• Solving a problem together

• Planning an event or trip

• Making decisions with limited options
  

Task-based speaking lessons are especially effective in breakout rooms and help quieter students participate more confidently.

Video-led ESL speaking lesson plans

Short videos work extremely well online when used correctly.

Effective video-led speaking lessons:

• Use clips under five minutes

• Have a clear focus question

• Include guided discussion tasks

• Avoid testing every detail
  

Videos provide shared context, which makes speaking feel easier and more natural.

ESL speaking lesson plans by level (online-friendly)

A2–B1 online ESL speaking lesson plans

Lower-level learners need confidence-building lessons.

Focus on:

• Everyday topics

• Guided prompts

• Visual support

• Predictable structure
  

Speaking tasks should be short and supportive, with plenty of modelling.

B2–C1 online ESL speaking lesson plans

Higher-level learners benefit from:

• Opinion-based topics

• Nuanced discussion

• Reflection tasks

• Real-world themes
  

At this level, speaking lessons can explore ideas like mindset, wellbeing, career goals, and social issues in a thoughtful way.

Common mistakes with online ESL speaking lesson plans

Even experienced teachers fall into these traps.

Some of the most common include:

• Asking too many questions instead of creating interaction

• Correcting too much during speaking tasks

• Planning lessons with no clear speaking goal

• Trying to fill time rather than create purpose

• Overcomplicating tasks with too many steps
  

Online speaking lessons work best when they feel focused and intentional.

How to adapt any ESL speaking lesson for online classes

You don’t always need a brand-new lesson plan. Many speaking lessons can be adapted easily.

Try:

• Breaking tasks into shorter stages

• Using the chat for thinking time

• Giving students preparation time before speaking

• Reducing teacher talking time

• Using breakout rooms with clear outcomes
  

Small adjustments often make a big difference online.

Why wellbeing-focused speaking topics work so well online

Adult learners often open up more when lessons feel meaningful. Topics linked to wellbeing, habits, motivation, and relationships tend to reduce anxiety and encourage genuine conversation.

These themes help students:

• Speak more naturally

• Share real experiences

• Build confidence

• Feel connected to the class
  

This is one reason wellbeing-inspired ESL speaking lesson plans work particularly well online.

Bringing it all together

Effective ESL speaking lesson plans for online classes are built around clarity, relevance, and interaction. When students know what to do, feel safe to speak, and care about the topic, conversation flows more easily.

The right lesson plan doesn’t just help students speak more. It makes teaching online more enjoyable and sustainable too.

Let Wellbeing English be your go-to resource for ESL speaking lesson plans designed specifically for online classes, with conversation-first topics that help adult learners speak confidently and naturally.