Music - Speaking B1

Let's talk about music

Speaking session

What was the last song / piece you listened to?

Useful words:

Find someone who…

WITHIN YOUR GROUP you need to ask questions to each member individually to complete the grid, and ask a follow-up question if they say ‘yes’. Examples: Do you listen to rock music? (If they say ‘yes’: What’s your favourite rock band?) Did you use to play an instrument but gave up? (If they say ‘yes’: …)

Create a mind map (word map) to discuss music in English

1. Think of at least 4/5 different aspects or topics within “Music” to organize the words and expressions (instruments, styles, techniques, etc.) 2. Create your word map on a Canva design. It will help you in coming sessions to discuss music in different ways. The more items you include, the more help you will have in the following activities!!! 3. Share the mind map on Google Classroom.

Let's have a look at your word maps!

Interview your partner with these questions:

• Is music important: to you, to society, to the world? Why (not)? • How often do you listen to music? • Do you play music while you study, or work? If so, how do you concentrate on the other things? • Have you ever been to see your favourite musicians live? Were they as good as on the CD? • What is your favourite music? • Did you like it the first time you heard it? • Is there any music you can’t stand? What is it, and why don’t you like it? • Have your tastes in music changed a lot over the last five years? How? • Do you think music can heal sick people? • Do you think animals appreciate music? Why (not)? • Do you like classical music? Why (not)? • Can you sing? Do you want to demonstrate now?

Group conversation time!

1. Think of (and write on your English notebook) musicians you consider:

• Popular (by album sales)
• Rich
• Creative
• Gifted
• Overrated
• Understated

2. In your group, discuss with arguments to agree on the following:

• The 3 most popular (by album sales) musicians nowadays
• The 3 richest musicians nowadays
• The 3 most creative musicians of all times
• The 3 most gifted musicians of all times
• The 3 most overrated musicians of all times
• The 3 most understated musicians of all times

Ex. “I think X is more gifted than Y because she can play…”

Final Task: School party proposal

Your school is planning a party and, since 10th grade students have collected quite some money to pay for live music, you are in charge of selecting and inviting the musicians! You just need to agree in small groups on a shortlist of possible musicians who should be invited, considering teenagers’ varied tastes in music. Use the discussion phrases shown on coming slides.

Discussion phrases

Starting The Conversation Shall I start? Would you like to start? Would you mind if I start? How about I start?

Giving Opinions I think / I believe… In my opinion… The way I see it... From my point of view… For me personally…

Discussion phrases

Making Suggestions What do you think about..? What is your opinion on..? How about..? What about..?

Agreeing / Disagreeing I (totally) agree / disagree I think you’re right / wrong there That’s a great idea! / I don’t think that’s such a good idea I see where you’re coming from….(but..) I understand what you mean….(but..)

School party: inviting musicians

In PAIRS, plan and practice two (formal) phone conversations where you would try to contact a musician (or their manager) to invite them to the party:

1. Student calls musician/manager but they are not there, so they leave a message and contact details with their assistant.
2. Musician/manager calls back and reach an agreement with the student about their participation in the party.

You have to speak for 2 minutes in total (1 minute each student). Film the conversations on video (flipgrid), looking straight to the camera to show that you aren’t reading.

Phone conversation co-assessment

Log in on Flipgrid, watch other videos and assess each student individually on the following aspects:

• Requested content in each conversation
• Formal register
• Music specific vocabulary
• No reading
• Appropriate length (1 minute per speaker)

Grade each item (fully accomplished / partially accomplished / not accomplished) and make a constructive comment, indicating how they can do better in future tasks.

Debate role-play

Prepare your assigned role:

• formulate your opinion in English
• plan reactions to your opponent’s possible arguments
• look up necessary vocabulary in the dictionary and learn to pronounce it

Play your role against your assigned opponent.