Meet Han van Meegeren, one of the most fascinating figures in art history. This ESL lesson explores the story of a man who fooled critics, collectors, and even the Nazis with his incredible fake paintings. Students learn about art, honesty, and creativity — while practising listening, reading, and speaking skills.

The lesson is available at three levels:
A2 – A simplified version of Van Meegeren’s story with a listening activity and vocabulary support. Students learn key words like forger, fake, and critic before completing comprehension and creative writing tasks.
B1+/B2 – A richer version that adds more details about Van Meegeren’s motivations and trial, including a listening activity and a discussion about art and morality.
C1 – An advanced lesson featuring a TED-Ed video about art forgery and a deeper exploration of truth and value in art.

The lesson blends history, language, and ethics — perfect for upper-primary, secondary, or adult learners interested in art and real-world mysteries.

Happy teaching & learning!

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