Chocolate: from the land to the hand

Introduction

The aim of this lesson is to learn who makes our chocolate and, importantly, who receives our money each time we buy a bar of chocolate. Learners will become aware of the injustices. 

In the lesson learners read about different stages of the journey of chocolate, and they learn where most/least of their money goes. They discuss the ethics of chocolate production and the chocolate trade, then research and create a poster or infographic about one of the issues related to cocoa farming.

Teachers can use a presentation of this lesson for a no-printing option. Alternatively, they can copy one or two pages of a student worksheet. 

Learning outcomes:

• Identify key information from three short texts about chocolate production and trade
• Develop oral fluency by participating in a discussion about the ethics of the chocolate trade
• Develop research skills by researching and identifying facts about an issue related to cocoa farming

Age and level:

13-17, Adults (B1, B2)

Time:

45 minutes + 45-minute project

Materials:

• Lesson plan
• Presentation (can be downloaded below)
• Student worksheet (can be downloaded below)
• Tokens (e.g. dried beans) or fake money
• Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGaLWuLzHBU&feature=youtu.be (optional)
• Photos of the chocolate journey e.g. cocoa pods, cocoa farmers (optional)