Environment
Conversation lessons from climate and environment news stories.
Who it's for
For B1 students and up: each story is told in plain English, then opened up into a discussion. By level: 30 stories at B1 and 1 at B2.
Short conversation lessons built on a recent news story. More In the News lesson plans
Skills it practises
- Speaking: discussion questionsevery lesson
- Vocabulary: a target word listevery lesson
- Reading: a text or news storyevery lesson
Lessons
- Dangerous Heatwave Hits US Before HolidayA massive heatwave is sweeping across the US and Canada just as millions prepare for the Fourth of July weekend.48 minB1Outline
- Neil the Seal Takes Over TasmaniaA giant elephant seal is charming and terrorising a Tasmanian town, sparking a chat about wild animals living alongside people.48 minB1Outline
- Too Hot for the Fourth of JulyA record-breaking heatwave forced US cities to cancel Independence Day parades and fairs, raising questions about outdoor events in a warming world.48 minB1Outline
- UK Braces for Another Summer ScorcherA fresh heatwave is set to push UK temperatures above 30C, prompting health warnings for the most vulnerable.48 minB1Outline
- Snap a Photo, Save a BeachA citizen-science project in Northern Ireland turns beachgoers' smartphone photos into data that tracks coastal erosion and climate change.48 minB1Outline
- Wildfire Emergency Near ParisA huge forest fire close to Paris has forced planes and helicopters into action as Europe's heatwave keeps breaking records.48 minB1Outline
- UK's Long Hot SpellA B1 lesson about the UK's near-record heatwave, exploring its causes and what it means for the future of British summers.48 minB1Outline
- Tropical Storm Bertha Nears the Gulf CoastA fast-moving storm is bringing heavy rain and flooding risks to the southern United States, and residents are preparing for what comes next.48 minB1Outline
- Fleeing the Flames: Wildfires in Spain and FranceA conversation lesson about the huge wildfires forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate in Spain and France this summer.48 minB2Outline
- Fire and Heat Sweep Southern EuropeSpain and France face record wildfires and new heatwaves as thousands flee their homes near Bordeaux and Madrid.48 minB1Outline
- Kenya's Elephant MysteryExplore the story of 14 elephants found dead near Amboseli National Park and discuss what it means for wildlife conservation.48 minB1Outline
- Thames Water: 'Our Targets Are Not Realistic'The boss of the UK's biggest water company says he cannot meet pollution and leakage targets, reigniting the debate over public control of utilities.48 minB1Outline
- Italy's Cities Turn Red With HeatExplore how a severe heatwave and wildfires are testing Europe, and talk about extreme weather and how people cope with it.48 minB1Outline
- Typhoon Dolphin Floods Eastern ChinaA massive typhoon forces more than a million people from their homes in China, flooding streets and shutting down major cities.48 minB1Outline
- UK May Ease Its Electric Car RulesThe UK government is reviewing whether to lower its electric vehicle sales target after car makers pushed back.48 minB1Outline
- Hurricane Lala Floods HawaiiA short lesson about flash floods and mudslides that swept away homes in Hawaii after Hurricane Lala passed nearby.48 minB1Outline
- City Air, Growing LungsNew research shows that children's lungs bounced back fast after London introduced a low-emissions zone, offering fresh evidence that cleaner air can undo some of the damage caused by traffic pollution.48 minB1Outline
- Building Homes for Hotter SummersA look at how one UK family redesigned their house to stay cool without air conditioning, and what this means for future British homes.48 minB1Outline
- Ten Owl Chicks Bring Big HopeA rare bumper crop of barn owl chicks in Northern Ireland shows how farmers and conservationists can help endangered wildlife bounce back.48 minB1Outline
- Running Low on WaterEngland faces future water shortages as dry summers, high household use, and leaky pipes put pressure on supplies.48 minB1Outline
- Autumn Weather Arrives in the UKDiscuss how changing seasons and sudden weather shifts affect daily routines and moods.48 minB1Outline
- Saving Wild EryriA new project in Wales uses smart farming and community help to protect rare mountain wildlife.48 minB1Outline
- The Mystery of the Dying TreeSeoul neighbours turn into detectives after a 100-year-old tree is mysteriously poisoned.48 minB1Outline
- Southeast Asia Battles Toxic SmogSevere wildfires in Indonesia create a regional air quality crisis that affects hundreds of thousands of people.48 minB1Outline
- A Rare Moth DiscoveryConservationists in Wales celebrate finding a rare moth species in a protected wetland.48 minB1Outline
- Hoads Wood: A Costly Clean-upA huge illegal dump has been removed from an ancient woodland, but questions remain about protecting the site and helping nature return.48 minB1Outline
- Castle Espie Makes Room for Wild BirdsA Northern Ireland wildlife centre will move its captive birds and change how it welcomes school groups.48 minB1Outline
- A Tunnel to Protect WindermereA major tunnel plan aims to stop sewage entering Windermere, raising questions about how to protect nature and pay for it.48 minB1Outline
- Rosebank: Energy at SeaExplore life on a North Sea oil ship and the debate over what energy the UK should produce.48 minB1Outline
- Building in the Path of Himalayan FloodsA new study raises questions about growing towns, flood danger, and how communities can plan for safety.48 minB1Outline
- A Rare Beetle Returns to WalesA new discovery in Pembrokeshire offers hope for a rare beetle and the coastal habitat it needs.48 minB1Free
How to use it in a lesson
- Lessons run 48 minutes, with a timing on every stage, so you can see before you start what fits your slot.
- Start with "A Rare Beetle Returns to Wales", a recent story: its whole plan is on this site, stage by stage, with the target vocabulary, free to read and to teach from on any video call.
- Each story stands on its own, so pick the one your student will most want to talk about. A story makes a good warm-up or a lighter lesson.
- For a shorter slot, skip a practice stage or cut the discussion short: the stages are a guide, not a script.
Teach Environment with your student
This course is free. A free account opens every lesson in it in the interactive player and keeps your saved list. Teaching it live with your student in the Tuton classroom starts with a 7-day free trial.
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