Lesson Overview

This C1 ESL lesson explores the thought-provoking topic “Are Humans Naturally Selfish?”, encouraging students to examine selfishness, self-interest, altruism, self-love, and our responsibilities towards other people.

Learners explore philosophical ideas about human nature and discuss whether people are genuinely capable of selfless behaviour. They learn and practise advanced vocabulary such as self-interest, moral duty, selfless, self-preservation, selfish streak, altruism, self-love, and self-absorbed, while considering the difference between healthy self-interest and selfish behaviour.

Through a wide range of challenging activities, students analyse realistic situations, watch and discuss a TED-Ed video, answer comprehension questions, identify ideas from famous philosophers, discuss key quotes, rank different behaviours, and debate difficult questions about morality, motivation, sacrifice, and human nature.

This lesson is ideal for C1 learners who want to develop their ability to express nuanced opinions, justify arguments, discuss abstract ideas, and explore complex ethical and philosophical questions.

1. Selfish or Reasonable?
2. Video: Key Words
3. Video: Comprehension
4. Video: Who Said It?
5. Video: Quotes
6. Selfishness: What Would You Do?
7. Selfishness: Ranking
8. Selfishness: Debate
9. Selfishness: Discussion

Homework

There is an excellent homework task to supplement this awesome C1 ESL lesson plan on “Are Humans Naturally Selfish?”. Students read an article exploring common signs of selfish behaviour before answering detailed comprehension questions about its effects on relationships and other people.

1. Article: Five Signs Someone Is Selfish
2. Reading Comprehension: Questions