Lesson Aim
Students watch a video about overtourism and practise language for discussing mass tourism, social media, climate impact, regulation and responsible travel.
Before watching
- Which famous places are overcrowded with tourists?
- How has social media changed travel?
- Should tourists be limited in popular cities?
Prep Part 1
Drag the correct sentence ending into each gap.
Sentence endings
something that can cause danger or injuryoverwhelmed by too many people or thingsnever seen or experienced beforeit is overwhelmed by too many visitors.it can cause danger or injury.Watch Part 1
Watch from 0:00 to about 2:24. Focus on examples of overtourism, the growth of mass tourism and the role of the global middle class.
Open Part 1 on YouTubeComprehension 1
Click each question to reveal the answer.
Vocabulary from Part 1
Historic cities are being by tourists.
Sensitive habitats can be .
Tourism was historically for a wealthy .
A global middle class has made more people able to .
Options
travelinundatedvendingelitedestroyedPrep Part 2
Drag the correct sentence ending into each gap.
Sentence endings
it makes the problem less harmful or serious.it encourages more people to visit a place.make something less harmful or seriousfeeling social pressure or guilt about flying because of climate impactencourage or cause something to happenWatch Part 2
Watch from about 2:24 to the end. Focus on Instagram, tourist taxes, Airbnb regulation, climate impact, individual responsibility and the upsides of tourism.
Open Part 2 on YouTubeComprehension 2
Click each question to reveal the answer.
Vocabulary from Part 2
Social media has overtourism in a big way.
Cities are trying to Airbnbs.
It is difficult to mitigate travel’s effect on climate .
Tourism can make people more open to other .
Options
spurredmechanicregulatecultureschangeVocabulary Review
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| overtourism | too many tourists damaging a place or experience | Overtourism affects historic cities and natural habitats. |
| safety hazard | a situation that may cause injury | Instagrammers created safety hazards. |
| mass tourism | large-scale travel by many people | Mass tourism began in the twentieth century. |
| priced out | unable to afford to live somewhere | Locals can be priced out of their own cities. |
| flight shame | guilt or social pressure connected with flying | Flight shame has taken hold in parts of Europe. |
Phrasal Verbs and Expressions
Tourists show to take the same selfie.
Locals can be priced of their cities.
Flight shame has taken in Europe.
Companies may take the focus systemic decisions.
Tourism can open people to other cultures.
Options
upthroughoutholdoffupCollocations
sensitive
historic
budget
daily
individual
Options
airlinesresponsibilitygamelimitshabitatcitiesB2/C1 Grammar: Reported Speech for Tourism Debates
This section practises reported speech for summarising opinions, evidence and arguments about overtourism.
Grammar Section 1: Reporting Statements
Choose an answer to get instant green/red feedback.
1. Direct speech: “Tourism has upsides.” Reported speech:
2. Direct speech: “Instagram has spurred overtourism.” Reported speech:
Grammar Section 2: Reported Speech in Context
The narrator said that overtourism affecting the planet.
The expert explained that tourism once been for a wealthy elite.
The video reported that Chinese overseas trips dramatically.
The speaker argued that individual responsibility focus away from systemic decisions.
Options
waswillhad risentookhadGrammar Section 3: Useful Patterns
| Direct speech | Reported speech | Use |
|---|---|---|
| “Cities are taxing tourists.” | The narrator said that cities were taxing tourists. | Report current policies. |
| “Should we stop flying?” | He asked whether we should stop flying. | Report yes/no questions. |
| “Tourism can change people.” | He argued that tourism could change people. | Report opinion. |
| “Cruise ships use dirty fuels.” | The video explained that cruise ships used dirty fuels. | Report evidence. |
Thought-Provoking Questions
1. Should popular tourist sites limit visitor numbers?
2. Has Instagram made tourism better or worse?
3. Should tourists pay higher taxes in overcrowded cities?
4. Is individual responsibility enough to reduce travel emissions?
5. What are the benefits of tourism for local communities?
6. Would you travel less because of climate concerns?
7. How can cities protect both residents and visitors?
Role Play
| City council | Tourism business | Useful language |
|---|---|---|
| We need to protect residents. Visitor numbers are too high. We should regulate short-term rentals. | Tourism supports local jobs. Visitors bring investment. Restrictions could hurt businesses. | The evidence suggests... One compromise would be... We need to balance... |
Context
Student A
You represent the city council. Propose tourist taxes, visitor limits and Airbnb regulation.
Student B
You represent local tourism businesses. Defend tourism and suggest less damaging alternatives.
Role play task: Agree on three rules that reduce overtourism but protect local income.
Thank You
You have completed the ESL CONNECT video lesson.