Turning Points
Six moments when the world changed direction: from the printing press to the first smartphone. Levels A2 to C1.
Who it's for
Marked for all levels: the topic carries the lesson, and you set the difficulty by what you ask of the answer.
Stories from history, told for English learners at any level. More History lesson plans
Skills it practises
- Speaking: discussion questionsevery lesson
- Vocabulary: a target word listevery lesson
- Reading: a text or news storyevery lesson
Lessons
- One Small Step: the Moon Landing, 1969In July 1969, two people walked on the Moon and millions watched at home. A simple, hopeful story for A2 students.48 minA2Free
- The Printing Press: When Books Became CheapBefore 1450, a book took a year to copy by hand. Then a German goldsmith changed everything. Past tenses and opinions for B1 students.48 minB1Outline
- The Night the Berlin Wall Fell, 1989A confusing press conference, a crowd at a checkpoint and a border that opened by accident. Past narrative for B1 students.48 minB1Outline
- The Internet Is Born: From a Few Computers to EveryoneFour computers, a crashed first message and a design nobody owned: how a research network became everyday life. Cause and effect for B2 students.48 minB2Outline
- The First Smartphone: How a Pocket Changed Daily LifeA map, a camera, a diary and a torch all became one slab of glass, and daily habits quietly rearranged themselves. Cause and effect for B2 students.48 minB2Outline
- The Black Death and the End of the Medieval WorldFewer workers, higher wages, a shaken church and a new appetite for enquiry: how a catastrophe rearranged Europe. Nuanced discussion for C1 students.48 minC1Outline
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 "One Small Step: the Moon Landing, 1969": 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.
- For a shorter slot, skip a practice stage or cut the discussion short: the stages are a guide, not a script.
Teach Turning Points with your student
Lesson 1 of this course is free. A free account opens it in the interactive player, and the rest of the course is included with Starter. Teaching it live with your student in the Tuton classroom starts with a 7-day free trial.
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