The History of Warsaw
A Polish lesson built around a 7-minute podcast: 30 slides of tasks, a student version and a lesson plan for 1–2 lessons. Ideal for Karta Polaka (Polish Card) interview prep, B1–B2 certificate exams and Polish culture classes.
One lesson, several goals
Warsaw’s story comes up at the Karta Polaka interview and in exams – and it’s key to understanding Poland.
Karta Polaka interview prep
Learners practise talking confidently about key moments in Polish history: the move of the capital, the partitions, the Warsaw Uprising, the rebuilding.
B1–B2 exams
Listening, a 120–150-word summary and extended speaking – exactly the skills the state certificate exam tests.
Polish culture classes
A ready-made session with an authentic podcast, photos and a timeline – perfect as a stand-alone Polish studies class.
Results for you and your learners
- Zero prep: open the PDF and teach
- A timed lesson plan for 2 lessons, 1 lesson or a strong B1+ group
- Answer key, transcript and trilingual glossary included
- 18 words and 20 collocations to talk about history with confidence
- Listening practice with an authentic podcast in three stages
- A “history of Warsaw in 60 seconds” talk, a summary and a discussion
A complete pack for 1–2 lessons
Teacher version – 30 slides
Warm-ups, 18 words and 20 collocations, 10 tasks on vocabulary, listening and speaking, a summary and a discussion. Answer key for every task and the podcast transcript.
collocations from the podcast
Ready-made phrases for talking and writing about history.
Student version – 27 slides
The same slides without answers: project them, print them or set them as homework.
7-minute podcast on YouTube
QR code right on the slides: click it on screen or scan it from a printout.
Lesson plan in three languages
EN / PL / UA: 2 lessons, 1 lesson or a B1+ route.
Answer key + PL–UKR–ENG glossary
18 words and 20 collocations translated into Ukrainian and English. Learners cover a column and test themselves.
From warm-up to discussion
The methodological sequence is already built: from familiar words to extended speaking and writing.
Warm-up
Photos and a mind map: what learners already know about Warsaw.
Vocabulary
18 words with Polish definitions and 20 collocations with practice.
Listening
A/B/C test → true / false / not stated → chronology.
Reconstruction
A history card, a timeline and “history in 60 seconds”.
Writing & discussion
A 120–150-word summary and a discussion with phrases for arguing.
This is what the lesson looks like
Below are 4 selected slides out of 30, followed by a sample timing plan for the first lesson from the lesson plan. Click a slide to enlarge it.
From the lesson plan
Sample: Lesson 1 timing · 90 min
Route A, lesson 1: vocabulary and first listening.
| Slides | Stage | Min |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Lead-in: topic and lesson outline | 4 |
| 3 | Warm-up: hypotheses from photos | 8 |
| 4 | Associations and “three adjectives” | 7 |
| 5–6 | Vocabulary: meaning, pronunciation, stress | 12 |
| 7 | Ex. 1: word ↔ association | 10 |
| 9–10 | Collocations: meaning and learners’ own sentences | 12 |
| 11 | Ex. 3A: collocations and 5 sentences | 10 |
| 13–15 | First listening: A/B/C test | 18 |
| Buffer / wrap-up | 9 | |
| Total | 90 |
What else is in the lesson plan
Routes to fit your group and your time:
- Route A · two 90-minute lessonsThe full route: lesson 2 covers detailed listening, chronology, speaking and discussion.
- Route B · one 90-minute lessonThe core in class, the remaining tasks as homework.
- Route for a strong B1+ groupWhat to keep, simplify or skip; how to play the podcast in sections.
Plus: Lesson 2 timing, homework and tips for the tasks. The lesson plan comes in English, Polish and Ukrainian.
Works at B2 and with a strong B1+ group
The podcast is B2. The lesson plan shows how to simplify or extend the lesson.
Strong B1+ group
The podcast in 2–3-minute sections, T / F before NI, a shorter 80–100-word summary.
B2 group
All tasks, a 120–150-word summary and a discussion with the final question and the language of argument.
Who this lesson is for
This lesson is for you if you
- prepare learners for the Karta Polaka interview
- prepare learners for B1–B2 Polish certificate exams
- run classes or lectures on Polish culture and history
- teach teens 15+ or adults at B1+–B2
- teach in person, online or hybrid
FAQ
How do I get the files?
Immediately after payment: five PDFs (teacher version, student version and the lesson plan in English, Polish and Ukrainian) are available to download, and the link is also sent by email.
Is the payment secure?
Yes. Payments are handled by the BlackSea platform’s secure payment service (card, Apple Pay, Google Pay). We never see your card details. The price is in USD; your bank converts it automatically.
Can I print it and use it online?
Yes. The 16:9 slides work on screen, a projector, Zoom and in print. The lesson plan is A4.
How do I handle the topic of war in class?
The podcast talks about the war, the ghetto and the destruction of the city calmly, without graphic detail. The lesson plan includes a tip on handling the discussion sensitively if anyone in the group has personal experience of war.
Can I share it with my students?
You may share the student version with your own students and groups. Redistribution outside your groups and resale are prohibited.
What if a file doesn’t open?
Contact us and we’ll fix the technical problem. As this is a digital product, refunds are available where required by law.
This lesson is fully ready for you and your learners
Podcast, 30 + 27 slides, lesson plan in 3 languages, answer key, transcript and glossary – in one pack.