The Amazing Uber App: English Class Lesson

50-minute English Lesson

In this English class lesson, ESL students learn about Uber, the popular transport app.

Read the story

English Class Lesson about Uber

Do you need a ride? Instead of a taxi, try Uber. It’s the app that connects people and car drivers. It’s also a global company.

The history of Uber starts in Paris in 2008. Garret Camp and Travis Kalanick were trying to get a cab. They waited a long time. That’s when they had an idea: develop an app to help people get rides.

Two years later, Uber was online in a few cities. Today, it’s available in 66 countries and 500 cities.

How does Uber work? Customers create an account with a credit card and download the app. Drivers need to provide lots of information, like a police check, before they can register.

When customers want a ride, they open the app and enter the pickup location. The app measures trip distance and travel time. The fee is charged to the customer’s credit card and money is transferred to the driver’s account. Uber keeps 20%.

The cost of a trip can vary. Pay more if you want a ride in a Benz. Trips in a simple four-door car cost less. The amount people pay also depends on time of day. During busy times, like Friday afternoons, prices can increase a lot.

Helping people get a ride is just the start. Uber is experimenting with new delivery systems. For example, there’s an app to get food delivered to your house in a few cities.

In six years, Uber went from an idea to a $60 billion company. Each day, 5 million people get a ride with Uber somewhere in the world. And it all started with two guys who had a hard time finding a taxi.

Listen without reading

English Class Lesson

English listening lesson: Gap Fill

Listen to the story again and fill in the blanks.

Do you need a __________ ? Instead of a taxi, try Uber. It’s the app that __________ people and car drivers. It’s also a __________ company.

The history of Uber starts in Paris in __________ . Garret Camp and Travis Kalanick were trying to get a cab. They __________ a long time. That’s when they had an idea: __________ an app to help people get rides.

Two years later, Uber was __________ in a few cities. Today, it’s available in __________ countries and 500 cities.

How does Uber work? Customers create an __________ with a credit card and download the app. Drivers need to __________ lots of information, like a police __________ , before they can register.

When __________ want a ride, they open the app and enter the __________ location. The app measures trip __________ and travel time. The fee is charged to the customer’s credit card and money is __________ to the driver’s account. Uber keeps __________ %.

The cost of a trip can vary. Pay __________ if you want a ride in a Benz. Trips in a simple four-door car cost less. The __________ people pay also depends on __________ of day. During busy times, like Friday afternoons, prices can __________ a lot.

Helping people get a ride is just the __________ . Uber is experimenting with new __________ systems. For example, there’s an app to get food __________ to your house in a few cities.

In six years, Uber went from an idea to a $60 __________ company. Each day, 5 million people get a ride with Uber __________ in the world. And it all started with two guys who had a hard time __________ a taxi.

ESL discussion questions

Talk about the esl story.

1. Have you ever used Uber? What was the experience like?
2. What problem launched the Uber idea?
3. Compare and contrast taxi and Uber rides.
4. Why did it take two years to get Uber started?
5. Why does Uber charge more during busy times?
6. Do you think Uber drivers make a good living?

Synonym match

MATCH THE WORD OR PHRASE ON THE LEFT WITH THE CORRECT SYNONYM.

ESL listening activity: anagrams

MOVE THE LETTERS. MAKE A WORD FROM THE ESL LISTENING STORY.

1. NLLBIIO
2. EOVEPLD
3. NOCUTCA
4. OOINLTAC
5. DSPNDEE
6. DLYVREEI

Writing practice

Write the five sentences. Put the words in the correct order.

1. credit / an / create / app / and / card / with / download / a / the / Customers / account
2. the / app / people / that / car / connects / and / It’s / drivers
3. with / somewhere / day / people / Uber / get / Each / world / a / 5 / million / the / ride / in
4. The / measures / travel / time / app / trip / distance / and
5. on / The / also / amount / depends / of / time / day / people / pay

Another ESL listening story

Try this free English lesson about a famous invention. Learn about Elisha Otis, the man who invented the elevator brake and changed the history of cities.

Reading and note taking

Did you like this English Class Lesson about Uber? Watch a short video about Uber and practice taking notes.

1. Scan the story.
2. Take notes.
3. Make a list of at least seven facts.

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Click to see the answers for the actiities in this English class lesson.