Introducing a new, fun and original ELT activity, SONG PIECES! containing short song extracts from which students have to listen to specific things in the song lyrics. Description: In this song-based activity lesson plan for English language teaching, students work in teams and listen to 10 different short song extracts and have to identify different grammar structures and vocabulary in each one. Language level: all levels Learner type: All ages Skills: listening and writing Topic: varied Language and grammar: prepositions, clothes, adjectives, parts of the house, frequency adverbs, comparatives, superlatives, simple past verbs, colors, numbers, will future Materials: edited mp3 files for the songs used Duration: 20 - 30 minutes Downloadable materials: instructions; Song Extracts (mp3 files)
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1. Divide students into pairs or trios, and tell them they are going to listen to various extracts of songs and in each one, they have to listen to different things and write them down on a blank sheet of paper.
Step 2. Before playing each extract, say what you want the students to listen to and make sure they know it. In order to do that ask them if they can give you examples of the words they must listen to.
Step 3. Tell them they have 3 chances to try to get the right word. Then, play the first extract 3 times and they write down the answer for number 1.
Step 4. Check what the teams wrote down and assign points. (1 for each right word, if there is more than 1 word in the recording)
Step 5. Repeat steps 2, 3, 4 for the next song extracts. The team with more points, in the end, is the winner!
Things to be found in each song extract: Song 1: prepositions (answer: behind/ under) Song 2: something people wear (answer: shoes) Song 3: an adjective (answer: easy) Song 4: parts of a house (answer kitchen/bathroom) Song 5: an adverb of frequency (answer: never) Song 6: verbs in the past (answer: said/ started / saw/ knew/ got) variation 1: comparative (answer: older); variation 2: part of the body (answer: shoulder) Song 7: adverb of frequency (answer: always); variation 1: colors (answer: black / blue); variation 2: verbs in the future (answer: I will fight/ I will stay) Song 8: a superlative (answer: best); variation: adjectives (answer: happy / good / crazy) Song 9: a number (answer seven); variation: verb in the present continuous (answer: I’m driving) Song 10: a comparative (answer: bigger) Songs featured in this activity: Song 01 - Ease My Mind - Ben Platt Lyrics key: Darling, only you can ease my mind Help me leave these lonely thoughts behind When they pull me under, and I can feel my sanity start to unwind Darling, only you can ease my mind Song 02 - Not giving In - Tom Walker Lyrics key: I don't pretend to understand What it's like, stood in your shoes But I would try them on for you 'Cause I hate to see you fade away On the corner where you lay Beggin' passers-by for change Song 03 - Someone you loved - Lewis Capaldi Lyrics key: I need somebody to heal Somebody to know Somebody to have Somebody to hold It's easy to say But it's never the same I guess I kinda liked the way you numbed all the pain Song 04 - Let me down slowly - Alec Benjamin Lyrics key: This night is cold in the kingdom I can feel you fade away From the kitchen to the bathroom sink and Your steps keep me awake Don't cut me down, throw me out, leave me here to waste I once was a man with dignity and grace Now I'm slipping through the cracks of your cold embrace So please Song 05 - After You - Meghan Trainor Lyrics key: Won't be anybody after you And even if one day, our time is through Won't be anybody after you After you I'll never find another lover after you If you have to go, be my ghost Hope you haunt my dreams Song 06 - Fire on Fire - Sam Smith Lyrics key: My mother said I'm too romantic She said, "You're dancing in the movies" I almost started to believe her Then I saw you and I knew Maybe it's 'cause I got a little bit older Maybe it's all that I've been through I'd like to think it's how you lean on my shoulder And how I see myself with you Song 07 - Don’t give up on me - Andy Grammar Lyrics key: I will fight I will fight for you I always do until my heart Is black and blue And I will stay I will stay with you Song 8 - Thick and Thin - Lany Lyrics key: What are you thinking? You were happy last weekend All the good times How'd you forget? I was your best friend, yeah Remember when you said You could see your whole life with me baby Now you got me thinking that I'm crazy Song 09 - Seven Minutes - Dean Lewis Lyrics key: It doesn't seem that long but my whole world has changed It's in all the little things, when you smile, now it stings It's been seven minutes since I've lost the girl of my dreams It's been half an hour now since I dropped you home And I'm driving past the places we both know Past the bar where we first kissed And that movie that we missed 'Cause we were hanging out in the parking lot Song 10 - Got it in You - Banners Lyrics key: You gave all that sweat and blood, Now you think you're gonna drown You can't tell that you're bigger Than the sea that you're sinking in And you don't know what you Got but you got it at your fingertips That’s it for this week! I hope you all enjoy this new activity! Share this to help other teachers, and also check out this similar activity with video extracts: Watch & Catch!
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Happy teaching! 🙂
Great!
Paola
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thanks! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it! 🙂
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