brightlivesenglish.com/lessons/nick-vujicic-learned-to-surf/
45-minute lesson plan
| Time | Stage | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3′ | Warm-up | Ask the class: “What new thing did you learn to do this year?” Let a few students answer. |
| 3–13′ | Words | Pre-teach the 5 words with the flashcards: arm, toe, swim, speaker, surf. Say each word, show the meaning, and ask for a quick example. |
| 13–20′ | Video | Play the video (3:43). Students follow the transcript. Play it a second time if needed. |
| 20–28′ | Comprehension | Worksheet C (or the online Story Challenge): check answers together. Ask “How do you know?” |
| 28–35′ | Grammar | learned to + verb: to say that someone got a new skill. Show “He learned to write with his toes.”, then do worksheet E together. |
| 35–43′ | Worksheet | Students do worksheet A, B and D alone or in pairs. Check with the answer key. |
| 43–45′ | Speaking | In pairs: “Nick asked "Why me?" Later, he thought about what he could do. Is that a good way to think? Why?” |
Homework: students finish the lesson online (flashcards + Story Challenge). With your class link, you see who finished.
Words and grammar
- arm (noun): the part of your body between your shoulder and your hand. “He was born without arms or legs.”
- toe (noun): one of the five small parts at the end of your foot. “He has a small foot with two toes.”
- swim (verb): to move through water using your body. “He can swim, too.”
- speaker (noun): a person who gives talks to groups of people. “Today, he is a speaker.”
- surf (verb): to ride a wave on a board. “In 2008, he surfed in Hawaii for the first time.”
Grammar: learned to + verb — to say that someone got a new skill. “He learned to write with his toes.”
Discussion questions
- Nick asked "Why me?" Later, he thought about what he could do. Is that a good way to think? Why?
- What was the hardest moment in Nick Vujicic's story? What did Nick Vujicic do?
- Make two sentences about your own life with “learned to + verb”. (From the story: “He learned to write with his toes.”)
Student worksheet
A Match the words to their meanings
- arm (noun)
- toe (noun)
- swim (verb)
- speaker (noun)
- surf (verb)
- audience (noun)
- confident (adjective)
- skateboard (noun)
- a short board with wheels that you ride
- to ride a wave on a board
- the part of your body between your shoulder and your hand
- a person who gives talks to groups of people
- one of the five small parts at the end of your foot
- to move through water using your body
- sure that you can do something
- the people who watch or listen to a talk or a show
B Complete the sentences from the story
surfed · speaker · confident · arms · toes · skateboard · swim · audience
- He can ride a .
- He was born without or legs.
- Step by step, he became more .
- In 2008, he in Hawaii for the first time.
- He has a small foot with two .
- His was very quiet.
- Today, he is a .
- He can , too.
C Did you understand?
- Nick was born in America.True / False
- What does he write with?
- His mouth
- A computer only
- His toes
- His arms
- Where did he surf for the first time?
- Melbourne
- Hawaii
- London
- Japan
- After his first talk, a girl came to him and hugged him.True / False
D Put the words in order
- to / He / write / with / his / toes / learned
E Grammar: learned to + verb
We use it for to say that someone got a new skill. He learned to write with his toes. · He learned to type and to use a computer.
Example from the story: He learned to write with his toes.
- He learned write with his toes. (to / for / at)
- He learned to a computer. (use / using / used)
- When I was six, I to ride a bike. (learned / learn / learning)
F Your turn
Retell Nick Vujicic's story in 5–6 sentences. Use at least three words from exercise A.
Answer key
A. 1c 2e 3f 4d 5b 6h 7g 8a
B. 1 skateboard · 2 arms · 3 confident · 4 surfed · 5 toes · 6 audience · 7 speaker · 8 swim
C. 1 False · 2 c · 3 b · 4 True
D. 1 He learned to write with his toes.
E. 1 to · 2 use · 3 learned
Transcript
He was born without arms or legs.
As a boy, he asked: why me?
Today, he surfs.
This is the story of Nick Vujicic.
Welcome to brightlivesenglish.com, where we teach real English using real-life stories.
Arm. Your arm is between your shoulder and your hand.
He was born without arms or legs.
Toe. Your toes are at the end of your foot.
He has a small foot with two toes.
Swim. When you swim, you move through water.
He can swim, too.
Speaker. A speaker gives talks.
Today, he is a speaker.
Surf. When you surf, you ride a wave on a board.
In 2008, he surfed in Hawaii for the first time.
Now, one pattern: learned to, plus a verb.
He learned to write with his toes.
Ready? Let's begin.
Nick Vujicic was born in Australia in 1982.
He was born without arms or legs.
His parents were shocked, but they loved him very much.
He has a small foot with two toes.
Doctors separated them, so he could use them like fingers.
He learned to write with his toes.
At school, some children were unkind.
He felt sad and lonely.
What could he do?
He learned to type and to use a computer.
He can swim, too.
As a young man, he gave a talk at a school.
After the talk, a girl came to him, crying, and hugged him.
Today, he is a speaker.
He has spoken to millions of people in more than 70 countries.
In 2008, he surfed in Hawaii for the first time.
He said it was one of the best days of his life.
Let's review. He was born without arms or legs.
He has a small foot with two toes.
He can swim, too.
Today, he is a speaker.
In 2008, he surfed in Hawaii for the first time.
And remember: he learned to write with his toes.
Nick Vujicic's story teaches us: think about what you can do.
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