Contrast Linkers ESL Lesson Plan (B1, 60 Minutes)

Who it is for. Intermediate students who use but well. In writing they now try more formal linkers but mix their grammar: Despite it was raining, Although it was late, but we continued, However I like it (no comma, used as a conjunction).

Everything the lesson needs is on this page: the language analysis, the timed stages with the teacher's own words and instruction-checking questions, the differentiation, the printable handouts and the answer key.

Main aim. To clarify and practise the grammar of contrast linkers: although / even though + clause; despite / in spite of + noun or -ing; however + comma at the start of a new sentence.

Learning outcome. By the end of the lesson, students can write a balanced paragraph using contrast linkers accurately, e.g. Although smartphones are useful for research, they can be distracting. Despite the risks, many parents buy them. However, schools should set clear rules.

• Subsidiary aim. To practise punctuation with each linker.
• Subsidiary aim. To develop a short for-and-against paragraph.

What to know before the lesson: the meaning, form and pronunciation of the target language, and the problems learners usually have with it.

• Never use although and but together: Although it was late, we continued (not Although ..., but ...).
• even though is stronger than although (more surprising).
• despite has no of: despite the rain (not despite of). in spite of has of.
• despite the fact that + clause: Despite the fact that it was raining, we played.

• Pause after However: However, | we played.
• although /ɔːlˈðəʊ/; despite /dɪˈspaɪt/.

• Although it was raining, we played football. Was it raining? (Yes.) Did we play? (Yes.) Is that surprising? (A bit; you don't expect to play in the rain.)
• Despite the rain, we played. What comes after despite: a noun or a clause? (A noun: the rain.) Can I say Despite it was raining? (No.)

10 out of 12 or better on Handout 3. The paragraph uses at least four different contrast linkers with correct grammar and punctuation. No although ... but and no despite + clause.

Did the transformation exercise make the grammar clear? Were students' paragraphs balanced?

Name: ______________________________ Date: ______________

Sachini, 15: "Students should have smartphones."

Although some people think phones are a distraction, I use mine for studying every day. I watch science videos and use a dictionary app. Despite the risks of social media, most teenagers use their phones sensibly. My parents can also call me after tuition classes. However, I agree that phones should be switched off during lessons.

Yohan, 16: "Phones do more harm than good."

Even though phones are useful, I think they cause more problems. In spite of having a phone for "studying", my cousin spends five hours a day on games. Many students sleep badly because they use their phones late at night. Phones are expensive, too. However, I understand that some parents want to contact their children.

Answer the questions.

• How does Sachini use her phone for studying? ______________________________
• What problem does Yohan's cousin have? ______________________________
• What do both students agree about? ______________________________

Name: ______________________________ Date: ______________

Find the contrast linkers in the opinions. Complete the table.

Answer the questions.

• Which linkers are followed by a subject + verb? ______________________________
• Where does however come in the sentence? What comes after it? ______________________________
• Which one has of: despite or in spite? ______________________________

Name: ______________________________ Date: ______________

A. Choose the correct linker.

B. Rewrite the sentences using the word in brackets.

• Although / Despite the traffic, we arrived on time.
• She passed the exam although / in spite of she didn't study much.
• It was expensive. However / Although, we bought it.
• In spite of / Even though being ill, he went to work.
• Despite / Although it was late, the shops were open.
• Even though / Despite the fact that it was cold, they swam.
• It was raining, but we went out. (although) → ______________________________
• He was tired, but he finished his homework. (despite) → ______________________________
• The food was delicious, but it was expensive. (however) → ______________________________
• She has a lot of money, but she isn't happy. (even though) → ______________________________
• We had a map, but we got lost. (in spite of) → ______________________________
• The hotel was cheap, but it was clean. (although) → ______________________________

Argument cards (cut up)

Writing frame

Some people believe that students should have smartphones. Although ......................................., ....................................... . Despite ......................................., ....................................... . However, ....................................... . In spite of ......................................., I believe that ....................................... .

Handout 1

Handout 2

Handout 3, Exercise A

Handout 3, Exercise B

Common errors to watch for

• She watches science videos and uses a dictionary app. · 2. He spends five hours a day on games. · 3. That phones have some benefits / that parents want to contact their children (Sachini also agrees phones should be off in lessons).
• although, even though · 2. At the start of a new sentence, followed by a comma. · 3. in spite of
• Despite · 2. although · 3. However · 4. In spite of · 5. Although · 6. Despite
• Although it was raining, we went out. · 2. Despite being tired, he finished his homework. / Despite his tiredness, ... · 3. The food was delicious. However, it was expensive. · 4. Even though she has a lot of money, she isn't happy. · 5. In spite of having a map, we got lost. · 6. Although the hotel was cheap, it was clean.