For my sixth CELTA teaching practice, I designed and taught a reading lesson for Upper-Intermediate learners on the fascinating topic of dying and endangered languages. This was one of the most engaging and culturally rich lessons of my course — combining critical thinking, real-world examples, and meaningful communication practice.
The lesson focused on reading for gist and for specific information, using a text about three languages at different stages of survival:
- Bo (from the Andaman Islands), which became extinct when its last speaker, Boa Sr, died.
- N|u (from South Africa), a severely endangered language with only a few speakers remaining.
- Wampanoag (from the U.S.), successfully revived thanks to the work of linguist Jessie Little Doe.
Students explored these stories through reading tasks, vocabulary activities, and group discussions about cultural identity and language preservation. The topic inspired heartfelt reflections from learners — especially those with personal connections to lesser-known or indigenous languages.
My tutor described this as an “above-standard lesson” with strong staging and clear aims. I was particularly proud of the flow from text to discussion and the way learners connected emotionally with the topic. Looking back, I learned how to pace longer texts more effectively and how to use vocabulary clarification to support deeper comprehension.
Check this lesson out for yourself:
