Songs for Cambridge English: First [FCE] The Greatest – James Blunt [Teaching With Songs B2]

Description:

This song-based activity STEP-BY-STEP LESSON PLAN for ENGLISH language TEACHING features the lyrics and music video for “THE GREATEST” by JAMES BLUNT. Students BRAINSTORM words based on a picture, WRITE a paragraph in pairs, DO vocabulary matching exercise, TALK about words and topics from the song, DO a CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: FIRST & FIRST FOR SCHOOLS (FCE) use of English part 3 exercise, LISTEN to the song and WATCH the music video.

OBS: This lesson plan was made to be used for ONLINE TEACHING WITH ZOOM features like ZOOM WHITEBOARD, ZOOM SCREEN SHARE and ANNOTATION, but it can be modified for face-to-face instruction, as well.

Language level: B1+B2
Learner type: All ages
Skills: speaking, reading, listening and writing
Topic: Social distancing and hope
Language: Vocabulary related to social distancing, expressing opinions 
Materials: Youtube video, worksheet and google slides
Duration: 1 hour - 1h 30 min
Downloadable materials:  instructions; slides (picture + vocab ex.); 
use of English p3 worksheet.pdf

Check out the video version of this post!

STEP-BY-STEP LESSON PLAN

Step 1 (5 min) Warm-up -picture (a still from the music video)

Share the picture in slide 1 and ask students to say some words that relate to the picture. Use the annotation tool in the share menu to write the words they give you on the slide, below the picture for the next exercise. Accept any word as long as the student can explain the connection. Write about 10 words.

Obs: ask students to take a print of the slide (picture and words) for them to use in the next step.

Step 2 (10 min)

In pairs (breakout rooms), students write a short paragraph about the picture and include the words from step 1. They have to use all the 10 words.

Step 3 (5 -10 min)

When the time’s up, students read their paragraphs. Have a vote for the most interesting.

Step 4 (5 – 7 min)

Project the slide 2 with the vocabulary matching exercise. And give some time for students to do it. They can search the internet for help.

Answers: 1b 2e 3c 4f 5d 6a

Ask some questions with the vocabulary words. Eg Do you consider yourself a brave person? Why (not)?

Step 5 (10 min)

Project the slide 3, help students with unknown words and tell them those are some words and topics from the song you are going to work with.

In groups (breakout rooms), students talk about these topics or words from the song and answer the questions.

Frustration / choices / survival / decision / young / brave / truth / change /
 world
What do you think the song will say about them? What can you say about these 
words and your life?

Step 6 (10 – 15 min)

Get the feedback from the groups. Have a class discussion.

Step 7 (10 min)

Share the worksheet file with the Cambridge English: First and First for Schools (FCE) use of English part 3 exercise with the lyrics

Answer key: Frustrated 2. Decide 3.truth 4. Weaken 5. Powerful 6. 
Greatest 7. Choose 8. better

NEW! You can also use the INTERACTIVE WORKSHEET version HERE!

Step 8 (10 min)

Play the song for students to check the exercise. Have them say what they thought of the song

Step 9 (5 – 10 min)

Ask them what they expect to see in the music video. Play the music video

Students compare their guesses and comment on the video to close the activity.

This song-based lesson plan is sure to spice up your classes! However, would you like to think, feel and act more creatively on your own to be able to turn ANY song you want into an engaging lesson plan?
HERE are TIME-SAVING ideas that do the heavy work so you can focus on the most important: INSPIRING and MOTIVATING YOUR STUDENTS to learn CREATIVELY!