Discussion points for English language learners on United Nations topics

Sam Colley
placeholder
Reading time: 3 minutes

Navigating global issues: United Nations topics to spark discussion for English language learners

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. For English language learners, discussing the key issues addressed by the UN can be an enriching exercise that enhances both language skills and global awareness. For United Nations day on 24th October why not use some of the discussion points in this blog to spark meaningful conversations and deepen understanding of these critical topics.

Climate change and environmental sustainability

Climate change affects every corner of the planet. The UN has been actively working to mitigate its effects and promote sustainability. Here are some prompts to spark a conversation on this urgent issue:

Key points to discuss:

The impact of climate change: How does climate change affect different parts of the world? Discuss rising sea levels, extreme weather events and their consequences.
Sustainable practices: What are some sustainable practices individuals and communities can adopt to combat climate change? Consider renewable energy, recycling and conservation efforts.
Global cooperation: How important is international cooperation in addressing climate change? Look at agreements like the Paris Accord and the role of the UN in facilitating these agreements.

Discussion questions:

  • How has climate change affected your country or region?
  • What can individuals do to reduce their carbon footprint?
  • Why is it important for countries to work together to tackle environmental issues?

 

Global health and well-being

Global health and well-being are vital for sustainable development and international cooperation, underpinning the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here are some ideas to start conversations around this topic:

Key points to discuss:

Health crises: Discuss major health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in managing these crises.
Access to healthcare: What are the challenges to accessing healthcare in different parts of the world? Explore issues like healthcare infrastructure, affordability and availability.
Mental health: Why is mental health an important aspect of overall well-being? Discuss stigma, access to mental health services and the impact of mental health on communities.

Discussion questions:

  • How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we think about global health?
  • What are the biggest healthcare challenges in your country?
  • How can we improve mental health awareness and support?

 

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interconnected global objectives adopted in 2015 to address the most pressing challenges facing our world by 2030. These goals encompass a broad range of issues and can provide great conversation starters.

Key points to discuss:

Understanding the SDGs: What are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN? Discuss goals like No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Quality Education and Climate Action.
Progress and challenges: What progress has been made towards achieving the SDGs and what challenges remain? Look at both global and local perspectives.
Individual contributions: How can individuals contribute to achieving the SDGs? Explore actions like volunteering, advocacy and sustainable living.

Discussion questions:

  • Which of the SDGs do you think is the most important and why?
  • How can we measure progress towards these goals?
  • What can you do in your daily life to support the SDGs?

Conclusion

Discussing the key issues addressed by the United Nations not only helps English language learners improve their language skills but also fosters a deeper understanding of global challenges and the importance of international cooperation. By engaging in these discussions, learners can develop critical thinking skills, broaden their perspectives and become more informed global citizens. Encourage active participation, respectful dialogue and an open mind as you explore these vital topics together.

See some more ways to spark discussion and enrich language learning in our blog post 'Boosting your students English speaking skills'.

Learn more about our products

More blogs from Pearson

  • Teenage students looking at a phone together outside
    Six easy ways to learn English
    By Steffanie Zazulak
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Learning English can open doors to better career opportunities, travel experiences and global communication. However, staying motivated while learning a new language can sometimes be challenging. The good news is that there are many easy ways to learn English that fit into your daily routine.

    Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your fluency, these practical English learning tips will help you build confidence and develop your speaking, listening, reading and vocabulary skills faster.

    1. Play word games to build your English vocabulary

    One of the most enjoyable ways to learn English is through word games. Games like Scrabble, Words With Friends, crossword puzzles and word search apps can help you expand your English vocabulary while having fun.

    Word games encourage you to think in English, recognize spelling patterns and learn new words naturally. If you're studying with friends or classmates, make it a regular activity to practice together and challenge each other's vocabulary skills.

    Benefits:

    • Improves vocabulary retention
    • Enhances spelling skills
    • Makes learning English enjoyable
  • Students sat together looking at a paper
    CASAS STEPS reading practice level C (Future 3)
    By Louise Febles
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Are your ESOL students preparing for the CASAS STEPS assessment? Based on your feedback, we’re pleased to introduce Adult Education Test Preparation (AETP)—a print-on-demand and online practice resource available through Pearson’s MyEnglishLab.

    AETP offers targeted preparation for all CASAS STEPS Reading and Listening levels. Each level includes:

    • Teacher guides for each content area with strategies and tips
    • Downloadable student worksheets for each content area
    • Three prompts per worksheet to practice the 3‑step process + two practice tasks that simulate CASAS STEPS questions
    • Downloadable audio files
    • Practice tests with answer keys and correlation charts

    Because content varies across levels, be sure to select materials aligned to your students’ needs. For guidance, refer to our test level correlation table.

    If you’re looking for structured, flexible, classroom‑ready CASAS support that easily integrates into your curriculum, this new toolkit is for you! It is designed to help your students build confidence and perform their best.

    Using the materials

    In this blog post and platform demo, we highlight Reading Test Level C (High Beginning–Low Intermediate ESL levels, NRS levels 3–4), focusing on its four content areas: Vocabulary, Main Idea, Details and Inference.

    Vocabulary

    Begin by downloading the Reading Level C Vocabulary materials, including the Student Worksheet and Teacher Guidance PDFs. Review the Teacher Guidance to familiarize yourself with instructional strategies, including the 3-step process and the accompanying answer key. This process helps students identify word type, locate contextual clues and determine meaning in vocabulary tasks.

    Next, provide each student with a copy of the vocabulary worksheet. It includes three guided prompts to practice the 3-step process and two CASAS STEPS–style tasks, with a clear format that supports organized note-taking and structured thinking.

    Details

    For the next lesson, download the Details materials. Review the Teacher Guidance and help students answer questions with information question words (What, Where, When, Who, Why and How). Distribute the Details Worksheet for students to practice. Since students now know the 3‑step process, they will move through the tasks more confidently.  

    Main idea

    Next, download the Main Idea materials, review the Teacher Guidance and use the student worksheet to complete the lesson. Practice answering the question “What is this about?”.

    Inference

    The final content area, Inference, will require students to perform their best detective work. The Teacher Guidance and Student Worksheet provides great insight to help students practice inference. It is important to remind students that inferences must be supported by key details (clues) that are in the text.

    Practice test

    Now that you and your students have mastered the 3-step process and completed all Reading Level C content areas, explore the CASAS STEPS Practice Test section within Adult Education Test Preparation. This blog focuses on Reading Test C.

    Like the official CASAS STEPS exam, Pearson’s Reading Practice Test C includes 36 questions. You can project the Student View test for whole-class instruction, review directions and reinforce the 3-step process before practice begins.

    This practice test can be used flexibly; you might assign a few at a time, incorporate them into daily warm-ups or exit tickets or have students work independently or in groups. You can also increase engagement by turning practice into interactive or game-based activities.

    Pro tip:

    Integrate Test Preparation materials with your existing textbook reading activities to reinforce CASAS STEPS skills. For example, if you use Pearson’s Future series, you are already reinforcing Reading content skills in your classroom. For example, Future 3, Unit 6 (Getting a Good Deal), Lesson 4 (Reading) includes activities targeting inference, main idea, details and vocabulary.

    Students can work on these textbook reading exercises in pairs or groups to compare notes and answer questions together, which encourages speaking practice and collaboration. You can make it into a game by having groups share their answers (A, B or C) with small dry-eraser boards.

  • Students sat at desks in a classroom listening t a student at front talking
    CASAS STEPS listening practice level C (Future 3)
    By Louise Febles
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Are your ESOL students preparing for the CASAS STEPS? Many of you have asked for test support materials and we’re excited to introduce a new resource designed to help students succeed: Adult Education Test Preparation, a print‑on‑demand and online practice hub available through Pearson’s MyEnglishLab.

    This platform provides targeted preparation for every level of the CASAS STEPS Reading and Listening tests. Each level includes:

    • A teacher guide for each content area with tips and strategies.
    • Downloadable student worksheets for each content area.
    • Three prompts per worksheet to practice the 3‑step process and two practice tasks that simulate CASAS STEPS questions.
    • Downloadable audio files.
    • Practice tests with answer keys, answer sheets and correlation charts.

    Remember, since content areas vary across the five testing levels, select materials that match the level you teach. Unsure? Click here for a test level correlation table.

    In this blog post and platform demo, we highlight CASAS STEPS Listening Test Level C materials, which align with High Beginning (NRS 3) and Low Intermediate (NRS 4) ESL levels.

    We will explore the three Listening Test C content areas: Dialogue, main idea and details. We show you how to integrate these materials with your existing curriculum.

    Pro Tip: Think about teaching one content area per day or dedicating a full class session to all three. You can integrate small amounts of practice throughout the term or schedule intensive review sessions before post‑testing. Remember that Reading Test C includes four additional content areas, for a total of seven content areas to cover at Level C.

    Using the materials

    Dialogue

    Begin with the Dialogue Teacher Guidance, which includes teaching strategies, the 3‑step process, answer keys and audio scripts. Introduce the 3‑step process to your students and work with them to identify keywords and answer the question “What happens next?” before distributing the Dialogue Worksheet. Each worksheet includes three prompts and two practice tasks, making note‑taking simple and structured. Play the accompanying Dialogue Audio to complete the lesson.

    Details

    For the next lesson, download the Details materials. Review the Teacher Guidance and practice asking questions with information question words (What, Where, When, Who, Why and How). Distribute the Details Worksheet and play the audio. Since students now know the 3‑step process, they will move through the tasks more confidently.

    Main idea

    The final content area is Main Idea. Download the Main Idea materials, review the Teacher Guidance and practice answering the question “What is this about?” Use the worksheet and audio to complete the lesson.

    Practice tests

    Once students have practiced all three content areas, explore the Listening Practice Test C tab. Pearson’s practice test mirrors the CASAS STEPS with 39 questions. You can project questions for whole‑class practice, use one or two a day as warm‑ups or exit tickets, assign group work,or turn them into a game.

    Pro Tip: If you use Pearson’s Future series, you are already reinforcing Listening Test C skills. For example, Future 3, Unit 2 includes activities targeting main idea, details and dialogue; perfect for collaborative practice.