English Intensive Program - Upper Intermediate
Unit 4. Social Issues
Overview
This unit invites students to explore pressing social issues such as poverty, education, climate change,
and equality. Using conditional grammar structures, they will engage in debates, express opinions clearly,
and develop persuasive communication strategies.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
- Use zero, first, second, and third conditionals appropriately.
- Express opinions, make suggestions, and respond in debates using conditional structures.
- Use vocabulary related to social issues accurately and persuasively.
- Engage in structured debates and discussions about current social challenges.
Grammar Focus: Conditionals (0–3)
**Zero Conditional**: General truths or facts.
- If + present simple, present simple.
- Example: If people recycle, the environment benefits.
**First Conditional**: Real future possibilities.
- If + present simple, will + base verb.
- Example: If we reduce plastic use, we will help the oceans.
**Second Conditional**: Unreal present or future situations.
- If + past simple, would + base verb.
- Example: If I were the president, I would improve healthcare.
**Third Conditional**: Imaginary past events.
- If + past perfect, would have + past participle.
- Example: If they had acted earlier, the crisis would have been avoided.
Vocabulary Focus: Social Issues
Inequality, poverty, justice, environment, rights, discrimination, unemployment, gender, awareness,
action, policy, crisis, education, health care, protest.
Speaking Skill Focus: Debating & Expressing Opinions
Students will engage in structured debates on social issues using conditionals and persuasive language.
They will learn how to present arguments, agree/disagree respectfully, and use appropriate expressions to
strengthen their stance.
Suggested Activities
1. **Conditional Chain Game**
Students build a story using different types of conditionals in a chain format.
2. **Mini-Debates**
Students are divided into groups and given a controversial social topic to debate. Use conditionals to form
arguments.
3. **If I Were... Speeches**
Each student prepares a short speech starting with: 'If I were in charge of..., I would...'
Student Worksheet 1: Grammar Practice – Conditionals (0–3)
A. Complete the sentences using the correct conditional form:
1. If everyone __________ (recycle), pollution would decrease.
2. If we __________ (act) sooner, we would have saved more lives.
3. If she __________ (be) president, she would improve education.
4. If people are informed, they __________ (make) better choices.
B. Identify the type of conditional in each sentence:
1. If the government had invested more, unemployment would have fallen.
2. If people speak up, things will change.
3. If you heat ice, it melts.
4. If I saw injustice, I would take action.
Student Worksheet 2: Vocabulary – Social Issues
Match the vocabulary to the correct definition:
1. Inequality
2. Protest
3. Policy
4. Discrimination
a. A rule or guideline made by the government
b. Treating someone unfairly based on a group they belong to
c. Lack of fairness or equal treatment
d. Public demonstration to show disagreement
Fill in the blanks:
1. The new education __________ aims to support all children.
2. Citizens organized a __________ against corruption.
3. Many people suffer from __________ in the workplace.
4. Economic __________ has been rising in many countries.
Student Worksheet 3: Speaking Practice – Debate on Social Issues
Choose one social issue and prepare to debate your viewpoint. Use at least one conditional sentence from
each type (0–3).
Topics:
- Should governments provide free university education?
- Is climate change the greatest challenge of our time?
- Should there be a universal basic income?
Frame your responses:
1. If society ignores this issue, what will happen? (1st)
2. If we had taken action earlier, what would have changed? (3rd)
3. If you were in power, what would you do? (2nd)
4. If people understand the facts, what happens? (0)
Practice with a partner. Take turns presenting and rebutting.