Animal Minds, Human Lessons

Bring your classroom to life with this engaging lesson based on Carl Safina’s powerful TED Talk “What Are Animals Thinking and Feeling?” Students explore fascinating stories of dolphins, elephants, wolves, and more as they question what it really means to think, feel, and be conscious.

Through discussion, vocabulary practice, video comprehension tasks, and reflection, learners will:

• Build listening and critical thinking skills with authentic TED Talk material

• Practice speaking and discussion skills in pairs and groups

• Expand their vocabulary around psychology, emotions, and animal behavior

• Reflect through a personal writing task that challenges their perspective on animals

Perfect for intermediate to advanced learners, this lesson blends science, ethics, and language practice in a way that sparks curiosity and meaningful conversation.