ESL Lesson: why do we dream?
A) Warm up: Do you often remember your dreams? Do you think dreams have meaning? What’s the strangest dream you remember? B) Watch: Why We Dream? C) Discussion: 1. What do you think dreams mean to you personally?2 .Have you ever had a dream that changed your perspective on something?3. Do you believe that dreams can help solve problems? Why or why not?4. How do you feel when you wake up from a nightmare?5. Do you keep a dream journal or try to remember your dreams? Why or why not? D) Dream Idioms: Match the definition to the correct idiom Reading: Read the text and do the quiz below. Dreams Lily closed her eyes, hoping for sweet dreams. She always liked to dream big, picturing herself as a famous artist. Last night, she had a vision of her first art show. People were clapping, and it felt like a dream come true. But that was just a daydream, she thought. “It might be possible,” her best friend Max said, “but in reality, it’s just a pipe dream.” “Pipe dream? I don’t think so,” Lily argued. She knew she could turn her art into success. Max laughed, “You’re always imagining things beyond your wildest dreams. You need to be more realistic. Maybe you need a dream team.” “Oh, dream on, Max. One day it won’t be ‘in your dreams’ anymore. I’ll make it happen,” Lily replied with determination. The next day, while walking to school, Lily saw a poster for an art contest. The theme was “Imagination.” Her heart skipped a beat. Could this be the chance to show her art? Every afternoon, as the sun set, Lily worked on her painting. It was a masterpiece, full of color and life, like the visions she saw in her dreams. When the contest day came, she felt nervous. Max gave her a reassuring smile. “Go and win, Lily.” A week later, Lily got a call. She had won first place. Her dream come true was on its way to being a reality. Her art would be displayed in the city gallery. Max couldn’t believe it. “I guess dreams can come true,” he admitted. Lily’s story proves that with hard work, even the most fantastic dreams can be achieved. So, never stop dreaming and always aim to dream big. Read these four opinions. Which one do you agree with the most and why? I totally believe in following your dreams! When I was in high school, I wanted to be a singer. I practiced every day, and after years of hard work, I got to perform at a local festival. It was so amazing to hear the crowd cheer for me, and it really showed me that if you work for something, it can happen! TomMusician Honestly, I think it’s all just wishful thinking. When I tried to become a professional runner, I trained for months, but I kept getting injured. In the end, I had to give up on that dream. It taught me that sometimes, it’s better to be realistic and focus on what’s actually possible. SarahDesigner I don’t really know what to think. Part of me wants to believe that Lily can make it as an artist, but I’ve seen so many people fail at their dreams. My cousin really wanted to be a dancer but had to quit due to injuries. It’s tough because I really want her to succeed, but life can be unpredictable. EmilyVeterinarian Man, this topic hits me hard. My sister was an incredible dancer and dreamed of making it big. She practiced every day, but then she got sick, and all her dreams seemed shattered. It broke my heart to watch her struggle, yet she still finds joy in dancing at home. I guess dreams are complicated and beautiful, even when they don’t turn out how we planned. JakeTeacher C) Discussion: 1. What is a dream that you hope will come true one day?2. Have you ever had a pipe dream that seemed impossible to achieve?3. Do you believe in dreaming big, or do you think it’s better to be realistic?4. Can you share a time when you were part of a dream team working on a project?5. How do you feel when someone says “in your dreams” about something you want?6. What are some sweet dreams you have had recently?7. Do you often find yourself daydreaming during class or work?8. Have you ever experienced a situation that was beyond your wildest dream?9. What advice would you give someone who wants to make their dreams come true?10. How can we support our friends in achieving their dreams? E) Writing: You mut be logged in to write/comment H) Creative Task Creative task: Research the meaning of dreams and prepare to share one interesting facts. Check your grammar knowledge: Grammar Challenge