How to Tech-Enhance an ESL Lesson Plan With NotebookLM + Meaningful Songs

Okay, so I’ve been playing around with NotebookLM. A LOT.

And I had this thought… what happens when you take this really smart, powerful tech and pair it with something that’s all heart? All soul? Like a really powerful song?

That’s exactly what this lesson is. It’s a bit of an experiment, and it’s designed for our B2 learners. We’re using this combination to dive into some big themes—empathy, connection, the stuff that really matters.

I know, I know. Using technology to teach empathy sounds a little strange. But trust me, it works. It’s a way to get them thinking critically, sparking these incredible discussions, and even getting into some creative writing. We’re using the tech to help us go deeper into the music’s message, building those essential 21st-century skills along the way.

It’s a different way of doing things, for sure. Ready to see how it all comes together?

song activity factory the power of songs to teach English — Song Activity Factory: the power of songs to teach English

Lesson Objectives:

Explore the concepts of empathy, support, and self-worth
Practice speaking, listening, writing, and critical thinking skills
Prepare students for Cambridge English B2 First exam tasks
Integrate technology for enhanced learning experiences

Description:

Language level: B2 and above
Learner type: Teens and adults
Skills: Listening, speaking, reading, writing, critical thinking
Topics: empathy, support, and self-worth
Materials: YouTube videos, genially presentation, listening worksheet
Duration: about 40 min (without the writing)
Download your free teaching resources:  listening p.4 worksheet.pdf

STEP-BY-STEP LESSON PLAN

Step 1: (5 min)

Essential Question. Display Genially presentation slide 1 with the essential question: “Why is it important to support others?”

Facilitate a brief class discussion, encouraging students to share their initial thoughts.

Step 2: (10 min)

Visual Analysis and Writing. Present Genially slide 2, featuring photos and a word cloud.

Tell your students that this is a word cloud made with the lyrics of a song. Ask if anyone recognizes the song, but do not expect them too.

Instructions:

Divide students into pairs.
Each pair writes a paragraph connecting two of the photos using words from the word cloud.
(Optional) For additional speaking practice, have students choose two photos and compare them (similar to B2 First speaking part 2).

Tech Tip: The word cloud was created using https://www.jasondavies.com/wordcloud/ and edited with https://www.photopea.com/. Photos were generated using https://piclumen.com/.

Step 3: (5-7 min)

Reflective Speaking. Display Genially slide 3 with reflective questions:and 3 photos

What emotions do you think the people in the photos might be feeling? What in the photo shows this?
How does the setting of the image affect how the people interact?
If you were in one of the photos, what would you be doing, and why?

Encourage students to discuss in small groups, then share insights with the class.

Step 4: (10-15 min)

B2 First Listening Part 4 Practice. Present Genially slide 4, introducing the B2 First listening exercise.

Tell your students that they are going to do a listening exercise similar to Cambridge English B2 First part 4. They are going to listen to a podcast in which two people talk about the song from the word cloud.

Instructions:

Distribute the worksheet (digital or printed).
Play the audio/video link provided.
Students complete the listening task individually.
Review answers as a class, discussing any challenging vocabulary or concepts.

answer key: 24. B 25. B 26. A 27. B 28. A 29. B 30. B

Ask students if they now recognized the song the listening was about. Ask if they know the singer.as well. WORKSHEET LINK

Tech Tip: The podcast conversation was created using https://notebooklm.google.com/ based on the song lyrics and artist information. (NotebookLM is a Google tool that uses AI to help organize and understand documents by generating summaries and answering questions.)

The audio was transcribed and edited into a video using CapCut, then uploaded to YouTube.

The B2 First-style listening exercise was created using ChatGPT and refined for accuracy. See prompt here

audio transcript: Ready to dive deep today? We're exploring the music of Tones and I, yeah. You know, the Dance Monkey sensation? That song's inescapable, yeah, but there's more to Tones and I than just catchy tunes.
Way more, like, did you know Dance Monkey was the first song by a female artist to hit 3 billion (with a B) Spotify streams? Wild. That's a whole lot of ears! Seriously, it makes you wonder what makes her music connect with so many people so strongly.
Definitely, it's more than just a catchy beat. There's real depth there, exactly. And that's what we're digging into today. We're going past the surface and exploring the lyrics of Wonderful, a song all about empathy and connection.
Great choice, Wonderful. So powerful, right? Like, the opening line hits hard: "You've been on the ledge, but no one knows you're lost." Man, haven't we all felt that at some point? Totally, putting on a brave face when everything inside feels chaotic. It's something Tones and I herself experienced, especially before she hit it big.
Oh, for sure. Remember, she was a street performer before Dance Monkey blew up? Yeah, she talks about feeling invisible while busking, even with people right there. Wow, it makes you think about how easily someone can feel completely alone, even surrounded by people.
Absolutely. That's the thing with empathy. Sometimes, you have to look beyond the surface to really see someone. It's like that in her music too. Take the chorus of Wonderful: "I think you're wonderful, if you could only see you through my eyes." It's like she's offering a new perspective to someone struggling to see their own worth.
Exactly. And it's not about fixing them or judging their struggles. It's about just being there. Yeah, like the next few lines: "I'll stay with you, stay by your side. We don't need to speak, just look up at the lights." Sometimes, silent support means everything.
It's true, just knowing someone is there can make a world of difference. No doubt. It actually reminds me of how music itself can be that supportive presence. We've all got those songs we turn to for comfort and to feel understood. Tones and I's music seems to do that on a huge scale.
You're right. Her music creates a space where people feel seen and connected, which is incredible. It's amazing how she went from sharing her heart on street corners to sharing it with millions worldwide. I can't imagine the courage that took, especially at the beginning. It takes a lot of guts to be vulnerable like that, putting your experiences out there through music.
Definitely. And what's even more interesting is how she addresses the challenges of fame and Dance Monkey. Like they say, "Oh my god, I see the way you shine," and it's like, "Yeah, I know I'm good, so what?" You'd think success would erase all doubts, but it doesn't always work that way.
So it's like, even when you make it, those feelings of insecurity and pressure can linger. That raw honesty resonates with people. It makes her so relatable, like she's saying it's okay to be successful and still have doubts. It normalizes the human experience, showing us that everyone grapples with these things.
Exactly. Yeah, that's the beauty of Tones and I's music. She reminds us that we're not alone in our struggles, whatever they may be. It's all about empathy, supporting each other, and having the courage to be vulnerable, even when the spotlight's shining bright.
Well said. It makes you think, how can we be more present and supportive of the wonderful people in our own lives, right? For sure. Maybe it's reaching out to someone who might be struggling, offering a listening ear, or just acknowledging their pain.
Absolutely. Yeah, sometimes the smallest gestures of empathy can make the biggest difference. Or maybe it's finding healthy ways to express your own experiences, like Tones and I does through her music. So true, finding your own way to connect, whether it's through music, writing, or just talking to someone you trust, can be so powerful.
Vulnerability can be scary, but it's often the key to forming genuine connections. Couldn't agree more. And hey, who knows? Your vulnerability might just inspire someone else to embrace their own, just like Tones and I does for millions worldwide.
Now that's a wonderful thought to leave on.

Step 5: (5 min)

Song Speculation. At this point, your students might be very curious about the song, however before playing it do the following.

Display Genially slide 5.

Have students speculate on what “Wonderful” might sound like based on the themes discussed and the listening exercise (fast, slow, sad, happy, etc).
Play the music video.
Ask students to compare their expectations with the actual song.

Step 6: (5 min)

Song Reflection

Facilitate a class discussion:

What did you think of the song?
How did it compare to your expectations?
How does the video enhance the song’s message?

Step 7: Creative Writing (Homework or in-class activity if you have time!)

Introduce the Cambridge English B2: First for schools-style writing task:

Write a story inspired by the themes of empathy and connection from the song "Wonderful." Start with the sentence: "The city lights twinkled like stars as we wandered through the quiet streets."

Include:

A happy reunion

An accident

Word count: 140-190 wordS

Conclusion:

And that’s the real power here, isn’t it?

We’re using a cool new tool with a beautiful song like Tones and I’s “Wonderful,” not just to get our students ready for their B2 First exam, but to open up a real conversation about empathy and connection.

They’re building those big 21st-century skills—critical thinking, collaboration—but it doesn’t feel like just another task. It feels like a meaningful experience. And for me, that’s what it’s all about. Creating lessons that are practical, yes, but are also full of heart.