Topic-based Listening Lessons

  • Article

    Places: Teens chat: History

    In this lesson plan, teenagers Anna and Ben chat about an internet history quiz and ask each other quiz questions about history. Students listen to the dialogue then complete a gap-fill, label a world map, match sentences to places on the map and complete a vocabulary exercise on words such ...

  • Article

    Sports: Two sides of a sport

    What are the positive and negative aspects of sport? In this lesson plan, students listen to an overview of the good and bad aspects of practising a sport. A true/false exercise and gap-fill teaches words such as ‘fan’, ‘train’, ‘cheat’, ‘team’ and ‘winner’. A follow-up debate activity gets students to ...

  • Article

    Animals: Feet Talk!

    Feet are fascinating but what are the differences between human feet and bird feet? In this lesson plan, students match feet photos to the names of birds before listening to a description of the feet of woodpeckers, ducks, ostriches and how their feet are suited to their behaviour. A gap-fill ...

  • Article

    Environment: The food chain

    This lesson plan provides an ideal introduction to the concept of food chains. Students complete a food chain diagram then listen to a clear explanation of each link in the chain from producers to third-level consumers. The listening also includes a clear explanation of why food chains are important. A ...

  • Photo of a natural disaster: flood, hurricane, etc.
    Article

    Environment: Natural disasters

    In this lesson plan, students unjumble words to reveal four natural disasters before listening to information on hurricanes and floods. Comprehension questions focus on the what, why, where and when. A follow-up activity asks students to match vocabulary such as ’drown’, ’evaporate’, disrupt’ and ’blow down’ to their definitions.

  • Article

    Consumer hot topics: Problem-solving

    In this lesson plan, students listen to tips for helping someone with an eating disorder, depression or stress. They answer true/false questions and interview their partner on leading a healthy lifestyle.

  • Article

    Consumer hot topics: Obesity

    In this lesson plan, students listen to a consumer report on obesity and what we can do to combat it. They complete a chart and gap-fill on calorie intake vs. output and listen again to focus on key vocabulary. A follow-up activity asks students to describe the symptoms and solutions ...