Lesson Structure — The ESA Framework

Engage — Get students interested

Purpose: Capture attention and connect students to the topic.

Before any new language is introduced, students need a reason to care. The engage stage does exactly that.

Examples: - Show a picture and ask questions - Play a short video clip - Ask a personal question — "Have you ever had a job interview?" - Play a quick vocabulary game related to the topic

Time: 5–10 minutes

Study — Introduce new language

Purpose: Present and practice new grammar or vocabulary clearly.

This is where the main language teaching happens. Keep explanations short and always check understanding with CCQs.

Examples: - Present new grammar with examples and a timeline - Introduce vocabulary with pictures and concept checks - Analyze a model text — "What language does the writer use here?"

Time: 15–20 minutes

Activate — Use the language

Purpose: Students use the language freely in a communicative activity.

This is the most important stage — and the one most often rushed. Students need time to actually use the language they have learned.

Examples: - Role play - Discussion - Problem-solving task - Creative writing

Time: 15–20 minutes

A complete ESA lesson example

Topic: Ordering food at a restaurant Level: A2 Objective: Students will be able to order food and drinks using polite request language

Try This: Always plan your Activate stage first. Once you know how students will use the language, it is much easier to decide what to teach in the Study stage and how to introduce it in the Engage stage.