We need to show language in meaningful and helpful contexts from both a cross-curricular and a cross-cultural perspective, if we are to prepare students fully for the real world of English, and not merely teach grammar and vocabulary followed by skills practice and workbook exercises. After all, our learners will go on to use English for study or for work or both. They need life skills, too, for a fast-changing and diverse twenty-first century environment. This session will look at ideas and materials to do this, teaching upper secondary students online or in the classroom.