L6 - U13 - Lesson 1 - Famous Artists

Lesson 1     Lesson 2     Lesson 3     Lesson 4     Lesson 5

ESL Kids & Teens Intermediate (B1-B2) Unit: Famous Artists

Explore the World of Art Through Engaging ESL Lessons!

About This ESL Unit

This engaging and educational unit from SuperEnglishESL.com introduces students to some of the most famous artists in history, exploring their artistic styles, life stories, and cultural impact. Through exciting reading passages, interactive discussions, and structured grammar exercises, students will develop their English language skills while learning about Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Qi Baishi, and David Choe.

Designed for 1:1 online lessons, group classes, or classroom instruction, this unit enhances students’ reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, grammar understanding, and speaking confidence in an interactive and meaningful way.


Lesson Overviews

Lesson 1: Leonardo da Vinci – The Ultimate Polymath

Students explore the life and achievements of Leonardo da Vinci, learning about his masterpieces, inventions, and scientific curiosity. They discuss how Leonardo’s passion for knowledge made him one of history’s greatest minds.

Lesson Features:
✔️ Warm-up: Articulation game – students describe words until others guess
✔️ Reading & Discussion: Leonardo da Vinci’s life, The Last Supper, and Mona Lisa
✔️ Vocabulary Focus: polymath, mural, deteriorate, realistic
✔️ Grammar & Sentence Structures: Passive voice with “get”
✔️ Interactive Elements: Role-play a discussion about restoring an old mural
✔️ Real-Life Applications: Understanding how curiosity and learning lead to innovation


Lesson 2: Vincent van Gogh – The Passion Behind the Paint

Students dive into the emotional and expressive art of Vincent van Gogh, discussing his famous works and the struggles he faced as an artist. They explore how art can reflect emotion and personal experiences.

Lesson Features:
✔️ Warm-up: Word category challenge – students list words for chosen categories
✔️ Reading & Discussion: Van Gogh’s life, Starry Night, and his impact on modern art
✔️ Vocabulary Focus: vibrant, literal, portrait, solace
✔️ Grammar & Sentence Structures: Causative passive (e.g., I had my portrait painted)
✔️ Interactive Elements: Debate – Can emotions be captured in art?
✔️ Real-Life Applications: Learning how art is used for self-expression and emotional healing


Lesson 3: Frida Kahlo – A Story of Strength & Identity

This lesson introduces Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist known for her powerful self-portraits and feminist influence. Students discuss how art can be deeply personal and symbolic.

Lesson Features:
✔️ Warm-up: Riddles and problem-solving challenge
✔️ Reading & Discussion: Frida Kahlo’s life, The Two Fridas, and surrealism
✔️ Vocabulary Focus: symbol, feminist, authentic, endure
✔️ Grammar & Sentence Structures: Causative passive (I got my hair cut vs. I had my hair cut)
✔️ Interactive Elements: Students design their own self-portrait with meaningful symbols
✔️ Real-Life Applications: Understanding how culture and personal experiences shape identity


Lesson 4: Qi Baishi – From Humble Beginnings to Master Artist

Students learn about Qi Baishi, one of China’s most respected artists, who transformed simple objects into masterpieces. This lesson focuses on determination, creativity, and cultural appreciation.

Lesson Features:
✔️ Warm-up: Fill-in-the-blanks with verb tenses
✔️ Reading & Discussion: Qi Baishi’s artistic journey, painting techniques, and legacy
✔️ Vocabulary Focus: whimsical, insatiable, humble, cultivate
✔️ Grammar & Sentence Structures: Causative passive with different tenses (She got her room decorated.)
✔️ Interactive Elements: Role-play a discussion on how nature inspires art
✔️ Real-Life Applications: Encouraging students to find beauty in everyday life


Lesson 5: Famous Artists Assessment & Creative Review

This final lesson assesses students’ understanding of key vocabulary, grammar, and cultural knowledge while encouraging creative expression through discussions and activities.

Lesson Features:
✔️ Warm-up: Preposition fill-in-the-blank activity
✔️ Assessment Tasks:

  • Vocabulary matching and sentence completion
  • Grammar exercises on passive and causative structures
  • Reading comprehension on David Choe’s artistic journey
    ✔️ Interactive Elements: Debate – Is graffiti art or vandalism?
    ✔️ Real-Life Applications: Encouraging students to reflect on artistic risks and creative success

Who Is This Unit For?

ESL learners at B1-B2 levels (Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate)
Kids and Teens in online 1:1 lessons, group classes, or traditional classrooms
Teachers looking for structured, engaging, and interactive lessons about art and creativity


Downloadable Materials

📄 Lesson previews & worksheets
🎨 Creative activities & discussion questions
📚 Reading passages about famous artists
🔊 Pronunciation & vocabulary exercises


Teacher Tips

📌 Encourage students to share their own artistic interests and experiences.
📌 Use real images of artwork to make lessons more engaging.
📌 Incorporate drawing or creative storytelling for interactive learning.


SEO-Optimized Keywords:

  • ESL art lesson plans
  • Teaching famous artists in ESL
  • ESL intermediate reading activities about art
  • ESL vocabulary for describing paintings
  • Passive voice and causative passive ESL grammar
  • Frida Kahlo, Van Gogh, Da Vinci ESL lesson plans
  • Engaging ESL discussion topics for kids and teens