Adult ESL Lessons: Superstitions (Intermediate)

This is Lesson 2, “Superstitions,” from our collection of intermediate-level adult ESL lessons. The lesson features a reading passage about superstitions, followed by comprehension questions, discussion questions, and a review exercise. This content-packed lesson is written with relatively simple English to help students transition to a more advanced level of English understanding and fluency. This lesson is available for free download, and you can download many other adult ESL lessons like this one in our book ESL Pathways: Bridges.

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ADULT ESL LESSONS: Superstitions (Text-Only Version)

Are you superstitious? Why or why not?
What is the difference between superstition and science?
Do you believe in witches?
Do you believe in ghosts?
Have you ever seen a ghost?
Do you usually have good luck or bad luck?

Read about some common Western superstitions.

These are some common Western superstitions. Many of them originated during a time when there were no scientific explanations for events that happened. People used to believe in witches, magic, dragons, and fairies. There are still people who continue to believe in superstitions and live their lives according to these beliefs.

Superstition

Meaning

Baseball Bat

Spit on a new bat when using it for the first time to make it lucky.

Bed

It’s bad luck to put a hat on a bed.

Bell

When a bell rings, an angel has received its wings.

Cats

If a black cat crosses your path, you will have bad luck.

Clover

It’s good luck to find a four-leaf clover.

Knives

If a friend gives you a knife, you should give him/her a coin.

Ladybugs

It is bad luck to kill a ladybug.

Ladder

It’s bad luck to walk under a ladder.

Mirror

If you break a mirror, it’s seven years bad luck.

Salt

If you spill salt you must throw some over your left shoulder.

Umbrella

It’s bad luck to open an umbrella in the house.

Wood

Knock on wood anytime you mention good fortune.

Yawn

Cover your mouth so your soul doesn’t go out of your body.

Itchy Ear

Someone is talking about you.

Friday the 13^th

This day is traditionally unlucky unless you were born on it.

Comprehension Questions:

What should you do to a bat to make it lucky?
What shouldn’t you put on a bed?
How can cats be unlucky?
What kind of clover is good luck?
If a friend gives you a knife, what should you give in return?
How can ladders be unlucky?
How can ladybugs be unlucky?
What can give you seven years bad luck?
If you spill salt, what should you do?
How can umbrellas be unlucky?
When should you knock on wood?
What should you do when you yawn?
What does an itchy ear mean?
How can Friday the 13^thbe lucky?

Discussion Questions:

How do you feel about superstitions? Why? Are you superstitious?
Are you religious? Do you believe in a god?
What is your family’s religion? What religious things do you and your family do?
Why do you think people continue to believe in superstitions?
Do you know anyone who is very superstitious?
Do you know anyone who is very religious?
Have you ever met anyone who has seen a ghost? Where did they see it?

What numbers are lucky in your country? Why?
What numbers are unlucky in your country? Why?
Do you have a lucky number? What number? Why is this your lucky number?
What lucky things have happened to you recently?
What unlucky things have happened to you recently?
In some western countries a rabbit’s foot or a horseshoe is considered to be a lucky charm. What things are considered to be lucky charms in your country?
Do you carry a lucky charm? What do you do if you want to have good luck?

Make a list of some common superstitions in your country. Try to explain where they came from and why people believe in them. Include lucky and unlucky things.

Superstition

Meaning