Left and Right ESL lesson thumbnail
Book 0B · Unit 2Starter · Ages 4–6

Left and Right

This directions ESL lesson teaches left and right through songs, arrows and whole-body movement. Children follow Simon Says commands, colour direction pictures and combine the words with stand up and sit down. An action-dice game and quick command quiz provide an energetic final review.

7-day trial · Card required · €0 today · Cancel before renewal

Lesson format

2 × 45 minutes

Level

Starter

Age group

Ages 4–6

Main focus

Speaking first

What students will learn

• Recognise and respond to 'left' and 'right'
• Follow simple direction commands
• Understand and follow 'stand up' and 'sit down'
• Combine direction words with movement
• Colour and trace left/right arrows
• Build listening skills through songs

Lesson flow

Children learn left and right through a song, pointing along and colouring direction arrows, then play a Simon Says game with left/right movements. The second lesson introduces 'stand up' and 'sit down', combining them with direction words through an action-dice game, finishing with a quick quiz where the teacher calls combined commands like 'Sit down left!'

Target language

  • • 'Left' / 'right'
  • • 'Stand up' / 'Sit down'
  • • Imperative instructions
  • • 'Which hand...?'

Key vocabulary

  • left
  • right
  • up
  • down
  • turn
  • direction
  • hand
  • side

Speaking questions students answer

  • • Which hand do you write with?
  • • Is this your left or right?
  • • Can you stand up?
  • • Can you sit down?
  • • Touch your left ear!

Recommended teaching contexts

• Starter ESL and EFL classes• Ages 4–6• Primary school classrooms• Language schools• Private and small-group lessons• Teaching body vocabulary• Pair and whole-class speaking• Interactive whiteboards and online teaching

Why this lesson works

The lesson follows a clear progression: Point left and right along with a song, play Simon Says with left/right movements, combine directions with stand up/sit down actions. Teachers can open the materials and start immediately, while students move from supported vocabulary practice to purposeful spoken English.

This lesson includes

• Interactive lesson slides
• Teacher guide
• Printable worksheets
• Speaking practice: "Which hand do you write with?"
• Classroom games
• Videos
• Vocabulary practice
• Pair work
• Extension activities

More Body lessons