📚 This Lesson at a Glance

This lesson explores the controversial question of whether young offenders should be punished like adults. Using an authentic video report and an adapted text, students will build key vocabulary related to youth crime, discuss the root causes and consequences of rising violence among teenagers, and practise their opinion-writing skills. Perfect for B2.1–B2.2 learners working on listening comprehension, critical thinking, and formal writing.

✍️ How to Use This Lesson

First, you’ll find a list of terms 👇👇👇
These can be pre-taught to help students understand key expressions and vocabulary before reading a short adapted text and answering related comprehension questions.

Next, students can review vocabulary in a multiple matching quiz to reinforce meaning and boost confidence before listening.

Then, move on to the video activity, based on a Sky News report.
Here, students will practise their listening skills through a True/False task and a multiple-choice quiz — perfect for consolidating comprehension and encouraging reflection.

💬 Classroom Debate & Final Writing Task

Before moving on to the final writing task, organise a short classroom debate.
Since the reading and listening materials present two contrasting perspectives on how young offenders should be treated, students can be divided into two groups to argue each side.

Encourage them to:

• Refer to evidence from both the video and the text
• Use vocabulary and expressions from the hover list
• Anticipate counterarguments and respond respectfully

This activity builds fluency and helps students clarify their own opinions — perfect preparation for the final writing task.

📝 Final Task: Write an Opinion Essay

“Should young offenders be punished like adults?”

Students should be encouraged to:

• Clearly state their position
• Use arguments from the class discussion
• Apply formal language and linking expressions appropriate to B2-level opinion essay

🧩 A Tip for Teachers: Try a Sliced-Up Essay First

Before students begin writing, one useful activity is to present them with a model opinion essay that has been sliced into sections. Students then work in pairs or small groups to reorder the parts, helping them identify how a well-structured essay is built — from the introduction to the conclusion.

This approach encourages students to think critically about organization, cohesion, and logical flow, and helps them feel more confident when starting their own writing task.

Let me know how it goes 😜😜😜

ACTIVITIES 👇👇👇👇👇

READING

pre-teaching activity

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Reading multiple choice

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B2 Multiple Matching Reading

Read the following extract and answer the questions.

 

Serena's Blog

Children under eighteen who commit crimes are called juveniles. Their age affects if they face adult trials, often leading to lighter punishments than adults for the same crimes. I think if a crime is very serious, juveniles should be tried as adults. Anyone who breaks the law should be responsible, no matter their age. We all need to own up to what we do. Some ask if trying juveniles as adults will lower crime rates. I believe making kids accountable might stop future bad behavior. If offenders aren't punished, they might do it again.

If kids think they can avoid punishment, they will keep doing wrong things. As someone studying criminal justice, I think everyone should face consequences for breaking the law, and no one should get special treatment because of age. A crime is still a crime. Some say young kids don't understand their actions, but we teach them right from wrong from a young age.

We guide kids until they grow up, and they can understand consequences. Parents sometimes underestimate their kids' abilities and defend them too easily, which can lead to bad behavior. Kids need to learn there are consequences for their actions, and not punishing them sends the message that bad behavior is okay.

Parents must prepare their kids for real life. While it's important for parents to teach their kids, what happens if they still go astray? You can try your best, but you can't protect them from life's truths. It's important to tell them about what can happen if they break the law. By hiding these truths, we make it harder for them to live on their own in society.

In the end, while parenting is important, it doesn't mean kids will always do what is expected.

Why do juveniles usually receive lighter punishments than adults?

The always commit lesser serious crimes.

Their age influences the type of trial and punishment

They are always tried in family courts

What does the author believe about serious crimes committed by juveniles?

 

They should be forgiven

They should only be left of on a fine

They should be tried as adults

Why might children repeat bad behavior, according to the author?

Because they are not intelligent enough

Because they enjoy breaking rules

Because they aren't punished for their actions

What problem does the author see with some parents?

They punish children too harshly

They don't believe their children understand right from wrong

They focus too much on school grades

What is the main message at the end of the text?

Children will always follow their parents' example

Parenting doesn’t always prevent bad behavior

Society is more responsible than parents

Your score is

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Listening and pre-teaching vocabulary

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The Video

Listening true-false

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B2 True or False Listening Government Urged to invest in youth clubs

You are going to watch a video from Sky News related to government investment in reducing crime among teenagers. Watch and choose True or False according to what you hear.

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The youth centre in South London charges a small fee for its activities.

True

False

Patrick believes that youth clubs help children gain important social and emotional skills.

True

False

In the last decade, over 700 youth centres in the UK have closed due to funding cuts.

True

False

The Mayor of London has promised to open 27,000 new youth centres to fight knife crime.

True

False

Youth work is more available in poorer areas of the UK than in wealthier ones.

True

False

Your score is

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Listening multiple choice

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Created by blogdeserena

B2 Listening Multiple choice Government urged to invest in youth clubs to help cut crime

You will listen to an interview from Sky News related to reducing crime among teenagers.

Choose the best option according to what you hear.

 

Activity by Serena

What does the youth centre in South London offer?

Only sports and music lessons

Activities, workshops, and food

Accommodation for teenagers

According to Patrick, what do youth clubs help young people develop?

Academic excellence

Money management skills

Emotional and social skills

Why are many people worried about the closure of youth centres?

Because young people may become bored during holidays

Because it may increase the risk of crime and exploitation

Because they are expensive to run

How many children are believed to be involved in County Lines gangs?

At least 27,000

Around 59,000

Fewer than 10,000

What is one criticism of youth service access across the UK?

There are too many programmes in deprived areas

Youth services are mostly online now

Affluent areas have more services than deprived areas

Your score is

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USEFUL EXPRESSIONS FOR YOUR ESSAY

I hope you find this lesson helpful — whether you use all the resources or just a few, feel free to adapt them to suit your students’ needs. As always, questions and comments are welcome!