The Squid – ESL Short Story Lesson Plan with Teacher’s Guide, Presentations & Video

Teach English with confidence using this complete, classroom-ready short story lesson plan – perfect for ESL learners.

About the Story

It’s late at night at the local swimming pool, and Max is finishing his quiet, meditative laps.
But when the lights dim and a strange smell fills the air, he discovers something in the water no one would ever expect.

This suspenseful short story of isolation, fear, and the unknown will grip your students’ attention and spark unforgettable discussion.

Your students will love this story. And all you have to do is use the parts of the lesson supplied.

✅ What You Get (Free)

You can download the basic lesson plan for free. It includes:

• Introductory discussion questions
• The full short story (approx. 1000 words)
• Reading comprehension questions
• Vocabulary table and activity
• Discussion, group, speaking, role play, and writing activities

🎁 What’s Included in the Full Package ($4.99)

For just $4.99, you get a rich bundle of teaching resources:

• Full Teacher’s Guide – step-by-step instructions for using all materials
• Story Video – the full story read aloud for focused listening and comprehension practice
• Video Lesson – the story is read in sections, with slides displaying story text and comprehension questions
• 3 PDF Presentations:
  • Introductory Questions
  • Story + Reading Comprehension Questions
  • Discussion Questions

This enhanced pack is ideal for online teaching or screen-sharing in class. It saves you time, engages your students, and supports multiple skills—reading, listening, speaking, and writing.

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