Money
This British money ESL lesson teaches UK coins, notes, prices and calculating change. Students identify currency by value and appearance, plan a shopping basket and practise useful buyer-and-seller expressions. They write a priced dialogue and run a mini-shop simulation using realistic payment and change language.
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Lesson format
2 × 45 minutes
Level
Intermediate
Age group
Ages 12–14
Main focus
Speaking first
What students will learn
Lesson flow
Students brainstorm what £1 can buy, watch a British Currency video identifying coins and notes by colour, and match photos to values ('This is a 50p coin. It's silver and big.'). The second lesson plans a £10 shopping basket, drills purchase language ('I want this magazine. It's £3. I'll pay with £5. You get £2 change.'), writes a shopping dialogue with prices and change, and runs a mini-shop simulation as sellers and buyers.
Target language
- • 'How much is...?' / 'Do you have change?'
- • 'I'd like...' for requests
- • Numbers and prices vocabulary
- • UK currency vocabulary
Key vocabulary
- pound
- penny
- pence
- coin
- banknote
- currency
- cash
- metal
- paper
- UK
Speaking questions students answer
- • How much is this sandwich?
- • Do you have change for £5?
- • What can you buy with £10?
- • Do you get pocket money?
- • How much do you spend weekly?
Recommended teaching contexts
Why this lesson works
The lesson follows a clear progression: Brainstorm items in a What Can You Buy with £1? warm-up, practise 'How much is...?' and giving change, write a shopping dialogue and run a mini-shop simulation. Teachers can open the materials and start immediately, while students move from supported vocabulary practice to purposeful spoken English.