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Sir Edmund Hillary

A complete B1 classroom lesson with the EnglishDrills nine-colour lesson sequence.

B150–60 minutesNew Zealand & explorationPrintable

Teacher lesson: Look at the picture and title. What do you already know? Discuss with a partner and write two ideas. Work through the nine panels in order, or choose the sections that suit your class. Teacher answers and the listening script are stored separately.

Teacher Answers

1 Lesson Goals

Sir Edmund Hillary after climbing Mount Everest

By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:

understand the main ideas and key details in Sir Edmund Hillary.
learn and use important vocabulary from the lesson.
use the lesson language in speaking or writing.

Start here: What do you already know about this topic? Tell a partner one idea.

2 Reading

Before you read:

Look at the picture and title. What do you already know? Discuss with a partner and write two ideas.

Sir Edmund Hillary was a New Zealander who became famous for mountaineering and exploration. Born in 1919, he worked as a beekeeper before becoming known around the world. In 1953, Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest. Later, Hillary took part in Antarctic exploration and travelled to the South Pole. He also spent many years supporting communities in Nepal, helping to establish schools and health facilities. In New Zealand he is remembered not only for courage, but also for practical service to others.

3 Vocabulary

Words: summit · mountaineering · expedition · beekeeper · community

Write a short meaning or example for each word.

summit –

mountaineering –

expedition –

beekeeper –

community –

4 Check Your Understanding

1. What is the main topic of the reading?

2. Write one important detail from the reading.

3. What happens or is explained next?

4. Which detail did you find most interesting?

5. What can we learn from this topic?

5 Language Focus

Put the verbs into the past simple.

1. Hillary (work) as a beekeeper.

2. He and Tenzing Norgay (reach) the summit in 1953.

3. He later (travel) to the South Pole.

4. He (help) communities in Nepal.

6 Listen & Speak

Listen

Listen to your teacher. You will hear the text twice. Answer the questions.

1. What job did Hillary have before fame?

2. Who climbed Everest with him?

3. What did he help build in Nepal?

4. Which quality does the speaker emphasise?

Speak

Discuss with a partner.

• What was new or surprising?
• How does this topic connect with real life?
• What question would you like to ask about it?

Sir Edmund Hillary — Continued

7 Use Your English

Something New

One student is a radio host and one is Sir Edmund Hillary after the Everest climb. Ask about preparation, fear, teamwork and what happens next.

Write

Write a 100–120 word mini-biography of Sir Edmund Hillary.

8 Puzzle or Game

Draw, Mime or Describe

Choose a useful word from this lesson. Do not say the word. Draw it, mime it, or describe it. Your partner has three guesses.

Swap roles and play again with a different word.

9 Success Criteria ✓

Tick each statement when you can do it.

I can explain the main idea of the lesson.
I can use at least three new words correctly.
I can complete the language task.
I can share an idea in spoken or written English.

One thing I am proud of today:

10 Visual Gallery

AI illustration of two climbers celebrating high in snowy mountains — **Reaching the Heights**High-altitude climbing requires courage, preparation and teamwork.

AI illustration of a mountaineer with snowy peaks behind him — **Life in the Mountains**Hillary developed his climbing skills in demanding alpine conditions.

AI illustration of a climber looking across a vast Himalayan glacier — **The Himalayas**The immense Himalayan landscape became central to Hillary’s most famous expeditions.

AI illustration of a roped climbing team ascending a snowy mountain — **Teamwork and Endurance**Mountain expeditions depend on trust, endurance and people working together.