ESL WORKSHEET - Travel, People and Places

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

SOLO TRAVEL*

LinguaHouse
Jun. 27, 2023

Level: Upper-Intermediate (B2-C1)
Type of English: General English
Tags: Travel and Leisure; Challenges; Hobby; People and Places; Society and Change; People and Places; Developing an Argument; 16-18 Years Old; 18+ Years Old; Article Based
Publication date: 06/27/2023

* This lesson has been updated.

This lesson looks at the subject of traveling alone. Students will read a blog about the subject and listen to two women discussing their experiences. Exercises focus on related vocabulary, listening and reading skills and offer students the opportunity to discuss questions on the topic. Optional writing activities look at the question of women traveling alone or the impact of travel on the environment (by Joe Wilson).

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in British English.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

Host: …and today we’re talking to Amy, a blog writer on solo travel and Meera, a travel writer. Both women, both like to travel alone. Great to have us with you today. So, Amy, can you tell us about where you’ve been to?
Amy: Well, I’ve been traveling for over ten years alone. So, I’ve been to a few places: Asia, a lot. Mainly Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, although I’ve been on shorter excursions to other countries there, such as a hiking trip in Sri Lanka. I’ve been to Peru and Argentina and quite a few countries in Europe.
Host: Fantastic! Meera, what about you?
Meera: I’ve done a lot of traveling in the United States which is where I’m based, as well as Canada, Central America - I loved Costa Rica - and the Middle East in places like Bahrain and Qatar.
Host: So as a woman traveling alone, what do you do to stay safe?
Meera: I've personally not had any problems, but I do certain things that make it safer. In the US, there’s a company called The Green Tortoise. It’s an all-inclusive bus tour that lets you go to places all over the US and down into Mexico. There’s no fixed itinerary so they go wherever makes the most sense. For example, if it’s raining somewhere, they can move on to somewhere sunnier. There’s a group of you all together so it’s perfect for women traveling alone. You’re always with people and they go through National Parks and places that are less touristy, so you can see things that would be harder to see alone. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon twice with them and also up to Alaska.
Host: What’s it like traveling in the Middle East?
Meera: Easier than you might think. It’s a very family-friendly place, and public transport usually has separate places for women, like on buses in Dubai. I’ve also been able to get guides to take me on a trek in the desert and again, there are tours you can take with groups of people. It’s a great way to meet new friends.
Host: Amy, what’s been your most luxurious experience?
Amy: Oh, that’s easy. I stayed at this beautiful place in Koh Samui in Thailand. It was right on the beach, and it was fantastic. I extended my stay there because it was so beautiful. They had hammocks that you could lie in and read all day and they brought food to you, all of which was delicious, some really fantastic fish dishes there made with fish they catch on the day. I had planned to visit as much as I could, but after the first day, I decided just to spend a couple of days relaxing and enjoying the weather and the hotel. It was low-season too, so it didn’t cost very much and it wasn’t at all busy.
Host: Now, I really have to ask you both, what do you think about (fade)...

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/solo-travel. Accessed on July 19, 2023. © 2008–2023 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.