How to Enhance Clarity and Coherence with Complex Sentences in ESL Writing

Developing an advanced level of English involves mastering the art of sentence formation — not just any sentences, but those that are complex, detailed, and reflective of a speaker’s advanced understanding of the language. This lesson plan, tailored for upper-intermediate B2 students, focuses on constructing complex sentences, a crucial step for learners aiming for fluency in English.

Summary

This lesson takes a deep dive into the structure of complex sentences in English. By the end of this session, students will understand how to employ subordinating conjunctions and relative clauses effectively to express more detailed and nuanced ideas clearly. The hands-on activities will not only clarify the rules governing complex sentence formations but also offer ample practice opportunities.

Lesson Focus

Students will enhance their ability to construct sentences that are not only grammatically correct but also rich in detail and complexity. This includes a thorough understanding of how to use subordinating conjunctions to link main and subordinate clauses, as well as integrating relative clauses for additional information without compromising the flow of the sentence.

Lesson Content

Activity 1: Conjunction Junction

Approximate Time Needed: 30 minutes

Objective: To familiarize students with a variety of subordinating conjunctions and their uses in complex sentence structures.

Materials: A list of subordinating conjunctions, example sentences, and practice worksheets available online or from ESL textbooks. Teachers can also create custom worksheets tailored to the lesson’s focus.

Instructions

Introduce a list of common subordinating conjunctions to the class (e.g., although, because, unless, while).
Show examples of sentences using these conjunctions.
Distribute worksheets and guide students through completing exercises that involve creating their own sentences using each conjunction.

Activity 2: Relative Clause Construction Site

Approximate Time Needed: 35 minutes

Objective: To provide practice in adding relative clauses to sentences for added detail and information.

Materials: Practice sentences without relative clauses, blank cards or slips of paper, pens.

Instructions

Explain what relative clauses are and how they function within a sentence to add information.
Give students sentences lacking detail. Ask them to write relative clauses on their blank cards that could be added to these sentences.
In pairs, students share and discuss their ideas, then present the revised sentences to the class.

Activity 3: The Complex Sentence Challenge

Approximate Time Needed: 40 minutes

Objective: To encourage the use of both subordinating conjunctions and relative clauses in longer, complex sentences.

Materials: A set of controversial or thought-provoking statements, timer, board for writing.

Instructions

Divide students into small groups and present them with the statements.
Challenge each group to construct a complex sentence responding to or discussing the statement, using at least one subordinating conjunction and one relative clause.
Groups write their sentences on the board, and the class votes on which sentences are the most detailed, clear, and correct grammatically.

Wrap Up

Through these activities, the learners will become adept at constructing complex sentences, a vital skill for achieving fluency in English. This skill not only enhances written communication but also significantly improves the learner's ability to express nuanced thoughts in spoken English.

To further aid the students’ learning, introducing them to ALULA, an AI-powered ESL app, might prove invaluable. ALULA, with its conversation exercises and grammar lessons, provides students a platform to practice constructing complex sentences outside the classroom environment. The app's AI English Tutor can assist in reinforcing the classroom learning, enabling students to achieve a higher degree of fluency through structured practice and exercises. This integration of technology into English learning aligns perfectly with the objectives of this lesson plan, making ALULA an excellent tool for both instructors and learners.