Let’s Go Back… to Fun! ESL Engagement via Music and Memory Games

You know those moments in class? That little dip in energy when you can just feel you need something to shake things up and bring everyone back to life?

For me, the answer is ALWAYS music. It’s like a magic button.

And I’ve found a song that is pure energy, pure joy, pure movement: “Let’s Go Back” by Jungle. The beat is just irresistible! But this isn’t just about a brain break. Oh no. This is a full-on, multi-faceted lesson that will get your students practicing so many skills without even realizing they’re “working.”

We’re talking about a vibrant mix of memory games and listening challenges that will have them leaning in, focusing, and learning in the most exciting way. It’s one of those activities that brings the FUN back to fundamentals.

So, if you’re ready to inject some serious energy into your classroom, this one is for you! Let’s do this!

Quick Lesson Overview:

• Language level: A1
• Learner type: Teens & Adults
• Skills: Speaking, reading, listening, and writing
• Topics: Music, Dance, Emotions, and Personal Preferences
• Materials: Genially presentation link; worksheet, Youtube videos
• Duration: About an hour
• Download your free teaching resources: worksheet.pdf 

Objectives Of This ESL Song Lesson Plan:

• Practice listening comprehension through music and video
• Enhance memory and observation skills
• Discuss likes and dislikes

   How to Teach English with Jungle’s Let’s Go Back Song: Instructions

Warmup (3 min)

Genially presentation slide 01 link

• Have your students share one song they like and one they dislike using different expressions from the list
• Encourage students to use full sentences
• Clarify any vocabulary from the expressions list

Step 1 (5 min)

Slide 2 of the genially presentation

• Ask students, “How can dancing to music make our body and mind feel better?”
• Get various answers, write them on the board
• To practice likes and dislikes further, ask, “What type of music do you generally enjoy dancing to, and which types do you dislike?”
• Encourage the use of varied expressions for likes and dislikes
• Have students share their responses with the class

Step 2: (10 min)

Slide 3 of the genially presentation: Memory Game

• Tell students they are going to watch a music video in which people dance
• Explain they must pay attention to answer 10 questions about it later
• Divide the class into groups
• Play the video link
• Present the memory game questions one by one:
  1. Who wakes up first, a man or a woman? (Answer: A man)
  2. What color is his top? (Answer: White)
  3. Who is the second person to wake up, a man or a woman? (Answer: A man)
  4. Who is cleaning, a man or a woman? (Answer: A woman)
  5. In one moment only men are dancing together. How many? (Answer: 5)
  6. There is a man wearing a black jacket. What number is on it? (Answer: 13)
  7. One means of transportation appears written on a box. Which one? (Answer: Bus)
  8. In the end, how many girls dance with the worker? (Answer: 2)
  9. In the box at the end, the main dancer has 1 hand on his chest. The left or right hand? (Answer: The right one)
  10. What is written on his box? (Answer: Let’s go back)

Post-Video Discussion: Quickly gather feedback on what aspects of the video they liked or disliked using the expressions list

Step 3: (5-6 min)

Slide 4 of the genially presentation: Listening Challenge

• Tell students they will listen to the lyrics and identify:
  1. A frequency adverb (Answer: never)
  2. How many times the singer says the verb “NEED” in this song extract (Answer: 8)
• Play the audio link
• Have students share their answers
• Play the audio again if necessary to confirm

Step 4: (7 min)

Slide 5 of the genially presentation: Lyrics Analysis

• Students check their answers on Exercise 1 of the worksheet
• Help with vocabulary and ask simple questions about the lyrics
• Note that the post-chorus includes help with the meaning of difficult lyrics in parentheses
• Discussion questions:
  1. How does the singer feel when the night is cold? (Answer: Lonely)
  2. What does the singer need? (Answer: He needs the other person here)
• Display the lyrics.

Step 5: (15-20 min)

Slide 6 of the genially presentation: Likes and Dislikes Video Chat and Quiz

• Pre-Video Introduction: Remind students to listen for expressions of likes and dislikes used in the video
• Have students watch the video
• Instruct them to answer the questions in Exercise 2 of the worksheet
• Review answers as a class

Quiz Questions:

1. What color does Jamie like? a) Blue b) Green c) Red
2. Which food does Sam prefer? a) Pizza b) Sushi c) Tacos
3. What is Jamie’s favorite season? a) Spring b) Summer c) Autumn
4. What is Alex’s favorite season? a) Spring b) Summer c) Autumn
5. What sport does Sam find exciting? a) Tennis b) Basketball c) Soccer
6. What type of movies does Alex enjoy? a) Comedies b) Action movies c) Sci-fi

Answers: 

1. a) blue 2 b) sushi 3.b) summer 4. c) autumn 5. b) basketball 6. c) sci-fi

• After completing the quiz, facilitate a discussion about students’ own preferences (colors, foods, seasons, sports, and movies.)
• Encourage use of full sentences and frequency adverbs (e.g., “I always enjoy pizza” or “I never watch action movies”)
• If time permits, have students create similar conversations in small groups

Video Chat Transcript:

Alex: Hey Jamie and Sam, did you hear that song earlier? “Let’s Go Back”? It got me thinking about our favorite things. Jamie: Yeah, I heard it. Let’s talk about favorites! Alex: Cool. Jamie, what’s your favorite color? Jamie: My favorite color is blue. Alex: Really? Mine too! How about you, Sam? Sam: I like green. It’s calming. Alex: Nice. What about food? Jamie, what’s your favorite? Jamie: I love pizza, especially with lots of cheese. Sam: Pizza’s great! I like sushi, though. Alex: I’m a big fan of tacos. What about seasons? Jamie? Jamie: I love summer. It’s warm and sunny. Sam: I prefer spring. Everything blooms. Alex: I like autumn. The colors are amazing. What about sports? Jamie: Tennis is my favorite. I play every weekend. Sam: I enjoy basketball. It’s exciting. Alex: I’m into soccer. It’s fun to play. Last one, favorite movie? Jamie: I love comedies, especially “Ace Ventura.” Sam: I like action movies. “Die Hard” is a classic. Alex: I enjoy sci-fi, like “Star Wars.”

Step 6: (in class or for HW)

Tell students they will write a short paragraph about their preferences related to the topics discussed in the video chat (colors, food, seasons, sports, and movies). Instruct students to include:

1. At least three preferences they have (e.g., favorite color, food, season)
2. Two things they dislike from these categories and reasons
3. Minimum of four different expressions for likes/dislikes from the list

Provide a model sentence on the board: “I’m really into action movies because they’re exciting, but I can’t stand comedies as I rarely find them funny.”

Maximize Engagement: Tips for Success

So, what do you think? This is so much more than just a lesson plan, isn’t it? It’s an experience! By mixing memory games with listening challenges and real discussion, you’re creating a vibrant space where every single student can shine, no matter their learning style.

My biggest piece of advice for this one? Embrace the ENERGY! Let them feel the music. Don’t be afraid to let your students move! When we connect language to movement and that feeling of JOY, something truly magical happens. That’s when the learning really sticks, deep in their souls.

Now, I would LOVE to hear from YOU! How do you use the power of music and video to bring your classroom to life? Please share your amazing ideas and experiences in the comments below. Let’s keep inspiring each other!

Happy Teaching!

Want to Bring Flow Into Your Classroom?

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