Teaching With Songs: Gone Are the Days –  Kygo ft. James Gillespie

Quick Lesson Overview:

This song-based STEP-BY-STEP LESSON PLAN  for ENGLISH language TEACHING features the lyrics and the visualizer video for “Gone Are The Days” by Kygo feat. James Gillespie . Students MATCH quotes about growing up and growing old, TALK about their favorite quotes, COMPLETE lines from a lyrics extract, READ word definitions, FILL the gaps in the lyrics with the defined words, and LISTEN to the song to check (interactive worksheet)..

OBS: This lesson plan was made for ONLINE TEACHING, but it can be modified for face-to-face instruction, as well.

Language level: B1+
Learner type: All ages
Skills: speaking, reading, listening and writing
Topic: Growing up, growing old
Language/grammar: word formation
Materials: YouTube video, genia.ly presentation, interactive worksheet and mp3 file
Duration: 1 hour

Download your free teaching resources: instructions; song extract mp3

How to Teach English with Songs for B1+: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 (5 min) 

Screen-share the quotes about growing up. Use the Genial.ly presentation slide one:

Step 2 (10 min)

In pairs (breakout rooms), have students talk about the meaning of the 3 quotes and also say which one is their favorite and why.

Step 3 (10 min)

Back to the main room, have the pairs share their ideas. Have a mini discussion. 

Step 4 (10 min)

Screen-share the lines of the lyrics extract and the pairs of words (slide 2)

Students have to complete the lines with the words in a logical order. Then, play the lyrics extract for them to check.

for cover    -    no one    -    here to    -    the days   
from yourself    -   of young   -    savе you

Lyrics extract:
“Gone are ____________________________
Better run ____________________________
There’s _______________________________”

Answer: 
Gone are the days of young
Better run for cover
There's no one here to savе you from yourself

Step 5 (5 min)

Tell students that this is a lyrics extract from a song they are going to work with.

Ask them if they recognize the lyrics (don’t expect them to) and do not tell them yet.

Ask them if they think the song is sad or happy and why.

Step 6 (15 – 20 min)

Interactive worksheet

Students read the word definitions, and write the words in the gapped lyrics. Then, play the song for them to check. 

When you’ve played the song twice, tell them to click FINISH!!! And then, CHECK MY ANSWERS to see their results.

Answers: 1 friend 2 strength 3 hand 4 kids 5 sleepless 6 warmth 7 everything 8 nights 9 different 10 honest

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