Lesson Plan: Right Speech –
Creating Personal Guidelines for Ethical Communication
Teacher Preparation – Essential Content Knowledge
Knowledge: Right speech (samma vaca) is one part of the Buddhist eightfold path, which teaches us how to live wisely. The Buddha described four types of speech that can cause harm: lying, speaking badly about others, using harsh words, and talking without purpose. Instead of these harmful types, we can practice truthful, kind, and helpful speech. Personal speech awareness means paying attention to our own words and how they affect ourselves and others. This includes developing daily habits of reflection, like thinking before we speak and examining our motivations. Through regular practice, we can train ourselves to speak more mindfully and compassionately.
Understanding: Through personal reflection and daily practice, we can develop awareness of our own speech patterns and learn to choose words that create harmony rather than harm.
Please read and reflect on these elements to help you think through the ideas you are teaching, and do any background research that will help you feel more prepared.
Teacher Experience
What does it feel like in your body when you’re about to speak reactively versus when you pause first? Try the ‘THINK’ practice for one conversation today: Is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind? Notice how this simple pause affects both your inner state and the student’s response. How would students’ capacity to understand and apply principles of right speech change the learning environment? Remember that ‘Right’ here isn’t about right and wrong, but rather what is helpful.
Please engage with this reflective practice before teaching the lesson to deepen your own understanding and authentic connection to the material.
Lesson Overview
Integrated Academic Standard
Singapore English Language Syllabus 2020 Primary – Speaking and Representing:
“Self-adjust planned speech, monitor and revise speech to adjust and improve communication based on intended purposes and response of the listener immediately after and upon reflection.”
Source: Ministry of Education, Singapore. (2020). English Language Syllabus 2020 Primary: Implementation starting with 2020 Primary One Cohort. Singapore: Curriculum Planning and Development Division, p. 25.
Core Learning Outcome
Students will develop personal ethical guidelines for speech based on Buddhist principles, learning to monitor and adjust their communication for both ethical impact and effective communication.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Identify the four types of harmful speech according to Buddhist teaching
- Define samma vaca (right speech) as part of the eightfold path
- Explain the connection between thoughts, intentions, and spoken words
Understanding Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Compare harmful and helpful speech patterns in everyday situations
- Analyze how their words affect themselves and others
- Evaluate their own speech motivations
Application Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Create personal guidelines for ethical speech
- Design a reflection practice for monitoring their own communication
- Demonstrate self-adjustment of speech based on listener response and ethical considerations
Lesson Structure
Opening Circle (8 minutes)
Mindful Moment (3 minutes)
- Begin with three conscious breaths together
- Ask students to silently set an intention for how they want to speak during today’s lesson
Experience Introduction (5 minutes)
Share today’s reflective challenge: “For the rest of today, notice what emotions or thoughts arise right before you speak. What’s driving your words—kindness, frustration, the need to be right, or something else?”
Direct Instruction: The Foundation of Right Speech (12 minutes)
Teacher Note: Use the content knowledge section above and ensure you understand these concepts through your own study before teaching.
Introduction to Right Speech (5 minutes)
- Introduce samma vaca as “right speech” – one part of the Buddhist eightfold path
- Explain that this path teaches us how to live wisely and create harmony
The Four Types of Harmful Speech (7 minutes)
Present and discuss with examples:
1. Lying
Saying things that aren’t true
2. Speaking badly about others
Gossip, criticism that hurts
3. Using harsh words
Speaking with anger or cruelty
4. Talking without purpose
Empty chatter that doesn’t help anyone
For each type, ask: “Can you think of a time when this type of speech caused problems?”
Guided Inquiry: Exploring Our Speech Patterns (15 minutes)
Small Group Investigation (10 minutes)
Divide into groups of 3-4. Each group receives a scenario card depicting common school situations (disagreement with friend, group project conflict, etc.). Groups discuss:
Guiding Questions:
- How can daily practice help us become more aware of our speech?
- What is the connection between our thoughts and our words?
- How does personal reflection change the way we speak?
Group Sharing (5 minutes)
Each group shares one insight about the connection between thoughts and words.
Creative Application: Designing Personal Speech Guidelines (12 minutes)
Individual Reflection and Creation (8 minutes)
Students create their personal “Right Speech Guidelines” using a provided template:
My Personal Speech Guidelines Template:
Partner Share and Refine (4 minutes)
Students share their guidelines with a partner and refine based on feedback, practicing the Singapore English standard of adjusting speech based on listener response.
Closing Integration: Commitment to Practice (3 minutes)
Silent Commitment
Students silently read through their guidelines and choose one specific guideline to focus on for the next week.
Closing Circle
“Harsh words have no weapons, yet they tear the mind to pieces.” —Patrul Rinpoche
Invite brief reflections on what this means to them.
Assessment
Formative Assessment
- Observe group discussions for understanding of the four harmful speech types
- Listen to partner conversations for evidence of speech adjustment and reflection
- Note student questions and insights during guided inquiry
Summative Assessment
Personal Speech Guidelines Portfolio Piece
Students submit their completed guidelines along with a brief written reflection (3-4 sentences) answering: “How will these guidelines help you create harmony rather than harm with your words?”
Assessment Criteria:
- Guidelines demonstrate understanding of right speech principles
- Reflection shows connection between Buddhist concepts and personal application
- Evidence of thoughtful consideration of speech impact on others
Student-Friendly Action Steps
To develop personal ethical guidelines for speech, students will:
- Explore the four types of speech that can cause harm
- Investigate their own speech patterns and motivations
- Create personal guidelines based on Buddhist principles
- Practice adjusting their speech based on its impact
- Reflect regularly on their communication choices
Extension Activities
- Daily Practice: Use guidelines for one week and journal about the experience
- Family Connection: Share guidelines with family and create household speech agreements
- Peer Support: Partner with a classmate for weekly check-ins on speech awareness practice
Materials Needed
- Scenario cards for group work
- Personal Speech Guidelines template
- Chart paper for group sharing
- Journals or reflection notebooks
Differentiation Notes
This lesson integrates contemplative wisdom with practical communication skills, honoring both Buddhist principles and academic language learning standards while remaining accessible to students of diverse backgrounds.
