As March is the time when women are celebrated, you can run one or several of these across this month: Women and work: myths vs reality Media images of women: who decides what we see? Invisible work, invisible power: unpaid care and housework Everyday sexism: is it still a problem? Men as allies: what is their role on Women's Day? What I would like to suggest, though, is a more structured activity that involves plenty of speaking, namely: Provocative Statements for "Prove Me Wrong" (or a version of the popular meme CHANGE MY MIND- see picture above; ) How can you go about it? - Why don’t you try this Lesson Procedure: 1. Warm-up (5 minutes) Quick whole-class question: "What comes to your mind when you hear 'International Women's Day'?" Collect 5–6 key words on the board (rights, equality, flowers, protests, respect, etc.) 2. Group Work (10–15 minutes) Put students in groups of 3–4 Give each group one statement (or let them draw one) They discuss an...

Before we dive into the lesson materials, it is worth noting where this brilliant concept began.  The Human Library (or Menneskebiblioteket ) originated in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2000 during the Roskilde Festival. It was created by Ronni Abergel and his colleagues as a way to challenge prejudices and bridge social divides through open, honest dialogue. Instead of a physical book, you "borrow" a human being to hear their lived experience- a perfect fit for the IB’s focus on international-mindedness. Why Use the Human Library for HL Students? For our IB DP English B Higher Level (HL) students, reaching a C1 level requires more than just vocabulary; it requires spontaneous interaction and cultural agility . This activity, adapted from the Culture of Learning blog, provides a structured yet flexible framework for students to explore the themes of Experiences , Identities , and Human Ingenuity . How the Activity Works: The process is designed to mimic a real library experienc...

Kicking off the new year with resolutions can feel cliché, but it is also a perfect opportunity to push IB English B HL students into richer, more intentional language use.  This 10-sentence challenge turns the familiar “New Year’s resolution” into a playful stylistic workout, asking students to experiment with advanced grammar and rhetorical devices within a short, manageable text. It works especially well as a bridge back into academic writing after the holidays and as a low-stakes way to revisit features that support higher achievement in Paper 1. Have a look at the handout idea below: Student Handout: The IB English B HL Stylistic Resolution Challenge New Year, New Text: The 10-Sentence Manifesto Challenge Task: Write one coherent paragraph of exactly 10 sentences titled Manifesto for the Year Ahead. Each sentence must follow the “move” described below. Think of each move as a “power-up” you must collect. The Sentences:  1. The Dramatic Entrance (Negative Inv...