ESL WORKSHEET - Religions

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

RELIGION

LinguaHouse

Sep. 7, 2025

Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)
Type of language: General English
Tags: Behavior, Feelings and Emotions; Beliefs, Religion and Superstition; Religions and Religious Activities; Ethics and Conduct; Society and Change; Travel and Leisure; People and Places; Relationships; Vocabulary Lesson; Article Based; 13-15 Years Old; 16-18 Years Old; 18+ Years Old
Publication date: 09/07/2025

In this updated lesson plan, students define both specific and general vocabulary related to religions, read a book review and listen to an interview with the author. They examine how and why to use language that avoids stereotyping and over-generalizing and discuss relevant issues. An optional extension activity defines vocabulary related to people in different religions. The lesson theme is treated generally rather than personally, and students should show respect and tolerance in all their interactions. (by Stephanie Hirschman)

• 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: Hello! I’m so excited to welcome Professor Gabrielle da Silva to our Book Talk podcast today, because I really enjoyed her book, Following a Faith. What I particularly loved were the examples you gave, Professor da Silva, like how many Muslim and Sikh babies are welcomed into the world with a special message whispered in their ear. What a lovely thought! Are there more examples of shared attitudes towards the human life cycle?
Professor Gabrielle da Silva: Of course. And as I’ve already mentioned some birth customs, I’d like to highlight some beliefs about death. I think most people know about the idea of birth and death and rebirth in Buddhism, and the ultimate aim of freeing yourself from this cycle. As the Buddha himself was raised in a Hindu community around two thousand five hundred years ago, it’s not surprising that we can see a direct connection between some of the beliefs held in these two faiths, including this one. However, it’s interesting that most Sikh people also hold these beliefs even though their movement was founded in the fifteenth century. The idea of death and rebirth has an extraordinarily long timeline in India.
Host: Interesting. And staying with the theme of the human life cycle, tell me more about the process of teenagers being recognized as adults.
Professor Gabrielle da Silva: Again, many religions organize celebrations that mark this transition between childhood and adulthood. I say celebrations, but I guess I really mean ceremonies, like the Jewish bar mitzvah for boys or, in some communities, bat mitzvah for girls, which usually occurs around the age of thirteen. Many Christian young people take part in a similar event, called a confirmation. In both traditions, we see these young people taking on responsibility for their own actions, following a period of instruction.
Host: I see. And what about any young people who may be questioning their religious commitment, even to the point of agnosticism?
Professor Gabrielle da Silva: During the period of instruction that I mentioned, there are generally opportunities for young people to explore their doubts and questions with their rabbi or priest. We tend to see this sort of thing quite a lot as young people become more mature.
Host: Let's move onto the topic of food. I really enjoyed reading about the holy month of Ramadan, observed by Muslims around the world, and its parallels with the Christian period of Lent, just before Easter.
Professor Gabrielle da Silva: Yes, yes, both involve fasting or going without something for a period of time in order to become closer to God. Most religions offer teachings on food and diet, but these can vary quite a bit. For example, both Buddhism and Hinduism always promote a vegetarian diet. However, this is for quite different reasons, as the aim is to practice non-violence and avoid causing suffering to any living thing – all life is sacred.
Host: Of course. And finally, I was struck by the ways different faiths worship at home.
Professor Gabrielle da Silva: This is quite a fascinating area, I agree. We find that home worship is central to many faiths. Saying prayers and conducting other rituals, like lighting the Friday night candles for lots of Jewish families at their weekly Shabbat meal, is one way to be sure that spiritual practices continue outside of synagogue. We also see some home-based religious practices that occur daily. For example, Hindu families set up a small shrine at home with items that awaken their five senses, where they can do puja every day. Daily prayers and acts of worship are pretty much universal. As I state in the book, most faiths are more alike than different.
Host: I’d love to talk more about that, but I’m afraid we’re out of time. Thank you so much, Professor da Silva. We’ll be back with more Book Talk next week when we’ll have...

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/religion. Accessed on September 10, 2025. LinguaHouse.com © 2008–2025. All rights reserved.