Empowering Language Skills
A Comprehensive Lesson Plan on Listening, Pronunciation, and Intonation Using Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' Speech
By David Taylor X7510333M
Start
Introduction
Context - Grade Level: 6th grade primary students - English Proficiency: A2 /B1 - Biligual school in Oviedo Asturias Lesson SummaryThis lesson centers on listening, pronunciation, and intonation, using an authentic, historically significant audio clip from Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech. This top-down lesson approach begins with comprehension of the speech’s main ideas and ends with students expressing their own views through practice in pronunciation and intonation.
https://unacuhcp.org/celebrating-mlk-how-to-improvise-an-iconic-speech-for-the-ages/
Authentic audio
Materials and Resources- Video and Audio Clip: Extract from Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech (12:50:to 14:29) - Collection of images to stimulate initial interest and debate. - :Map of the United States on Google Earth, highlighting Georgia and Alabama - Handouts: Vocabulary list and phrase ordering activity
The chosen audio provides a powerful context for students to understand historical struggles for civil rights while enhancing listening comprehension and speaking skills. Students to explore critical aspects of English pronunciation, stress, and intonation, making their spoken English more expressive and engaging.
Pre-Listening (15 mins)
Establishing context and motivating students To set the stage, students need background on the speech’s historical importance and an understanding of civil rights. Photo and Video Introduction: Show images of slaves and slave owners, segration signs and the 1963 March on Washington, where King gave his speech, to visualize the crowd and atmosphere. Geography and : Use a U.S. map to point out Georgia and Alabama, discussing the concept of the “South” in American history. Vocabulary Introduce vocabulary like former slave owner, brotherhood, heat, oasis, judge, character, and join hands.
https://www.beautifulholidays.com.au/america/usa/south.html
Listening and Initial Discussion (8 mins)
General Comprehension Questions: Before listening, present questions that students should keep in mind to help guide their focus: - How would it feel to be at this demonstration? - What is Martin Luther King Jr.’s main message? - What specific hopes does he express for children’s futures? First Listening (Audio with Video): Play the 2-minute video clip once. Afterward, lead a brief discussion to let students share initial reactions and clarify the speech’s main themes of unity and equality.
https://www.investopedia.com/the-economics-of-martin-luther-kings-dream-speech-4584390
Detailed Listening (10 mins)
Phrase Ordering ActivityProvide students with phrases from the speech in the wrong order. After reading them together, they listen to the audio without the video, arranging the phrases in the correct order. Final Listening with PausesReplay the audio, pausing after each sentence to allow students to check and correct their ordered phrases.
Pronunciation and Intonation Focus (5 mins)
Introduction to Sentence Stress and IntonationGive students a handout with the whole text and then play the following excerpt: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.” Discussion on Stressed WordsStudents listen again and underline stressed words. Then, discuss why certain words (like nouns and adjectives) carry more stress compared to function words (prepositions, articles, etc.). Rhythm and Stress in EnglishHighlight how English uses stress-timed rhythm (compared to Spanish’s syllable-timed rhythm). Discuss how emphasis and duration in English create meaning and mood. For example, in King’s speech, the stressed words convey passion and urgency.
Stress and Intonation Practice (25 mins)
Students write a sentence or short paragraph on a topic they feel strongly about (e.g., environmental protection, fairness in the classroom, love for a hobby, not liking homework). Encourage them to underline the key words they want to stress in their sentences.Partner Practice: Students work in pairs, practicing their sentences with attention to stress, intonation, and emotional expression. The teacher circulates, providing pronunciation support and encouraging expressive speech.
Class Presentation and Reflection
PresentationStudents take turns presenting their “dream” paragraphs to the class, focusing on intonation and passion. This allows them to apply stress and rhythm authentically, and classmates can provide feedback. Class ReflectionReflect on how understanding intonation enhances their communication skills and adds meaning to their spoken English.
Conclusion
Using Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech in the classroom demonstrates the impact of authentic audio materials on language learning. Beyond understanding the vocabulary and themes of the speech, students experience the emotional weight of King’s words and the significance of this pivotal historical moment. Exposing them to such materials encourages students to listen more actively to English outside the classroom, whether on TV, in movies, or through podcasts, building their confidence in engaging with the language in real-world contexts.By focusing on intonation and stress, students begin to form a more natural, expressive way of speaking English. Learning these subtler elements early on sets the foundation for more fluent, authentic communication in the future. This activity’s alignment with educational initiatives such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals makes it a comprehensive and meaningful experience, building both linguistic skills and a socially conscious perspective.
Empowering Language Skills
Dave Taylor
Created on November 9, 2024
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Transcript
Empowering Language Skills
A Comprehensive Lesson Plan on Listening, Pronunciation, and Intonation Using Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' Speech
By David Taylor X7510333M
Start
Introduction
Context - Grade Level: 6th grade primary students - English Proficiency: A2 /B1 - Biligual school in Oviedo Asturias Lesson SummaryThis lesson centers on listening, pronunciation, and intonation, using an authentic, historically significant audio clip from Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech. This top-down lesson approach begins with comprehension of the speech’s main ideas and ends with students expressing their own views through practice in pronunciation and intonation.
https://unacuhcp.org/celebrating-mlk-how-to-improvise-an-iconic-speech-for-the-ages/
Authentic audio
Materials and Resources- Video and Audio Clip: Extract from Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech (12:50:to 14:29) - Collection of images to stimulate initial interest and debate. - :Map of the United States on Google Earth, highlighting Georgia and Alabama - Handouts: Vocabulary list and phrase ordering activity
The chosen audio provides a powerful context for students to understand historical struggles for civil rights while enhancing listening comprehension and speaking skills. Students to explore critical aspects of English pronunciation, stress, and intonation, making their spoken English more expressive and engaging.
Pre-Listening (15 mins)
Establishing context and motivating students To set the stage, students need background on the speech’s historical importance and an understanding of civil rights. Photo and Video Introduction: Show images of slaves and slave owners, segration signs and the 1963 March on Washington, where King gave his speech, to visualize the crowd and atmosphere. Geography and : Use a U.S. map to point out Georgia and Alabama, discussing the concept of the “South” in American history. Vocabulary Introduce vocabulary like former slave owner, brotherhood, heat, oasis, judge, character, and join hands.
https://www.beautifulholidays.com.au/america/usa/south.html
Listening and Initial Discussion (8 mins)
General Comprehension Questions: Before listening, present questions that students should keep in mind to help guide their focus: - How would it feel to be at this demonstration? - What is Martin Luther King Jr.’s main message? - What specific hopes does he express for children’s futures? First Listening (Audio with Video): Play the 2-minute video clip once. Afterward, lead a brief discussion to let students share initial reactions and clarify the speech’s main themes of unity and equality.
https://www.investopedia.com/the-economics-of-martin-luther-kings-dream-speech-4584390
Detailed Listening (10 mins)
Phrase Ordering ActivityProvide students with phrases from the speech in the wrong order. After reading them together, they listen to the audio without the video, arranging the phrases in the correct order. Final Listening with PausesReplay the audio, pausing after each sentence to allow students to check and correct their ordered phrases.
Pronunciation and Intonation Focus (5 mins)
Introduction to Sentence Stress and IntonationGive students a handout with the whole text and then play the following excerpt: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.” Discussion on Stressed WordsStudents listen again and underline stressed words. Then, discuss why certain words (like nouns and adjectives) carry more stress compared to function words (prepositions, articles, etc.). Rhythm and Stress in EnglishHighlight how English uses stress-timed rhythm (compared to Spanish’s syllable-timed rhythm). Discuss how emphasis and duration in English create meaning and mood. For example, in King’s speech, the stressed words convey passion and urgency.
Stress and Intonation Practice (25 mins)
Students write a sentence or short paragraph on a topic they feel strongly about (e.g., environmental protection, fairness in the classroom, love for a hobby, not liking homework). Encourage them to underline the key words they want to stress in their sentences.Partner Practice: Students work in pairs, practicing their sentences with attention to stress, intonation, and emotional expression. The teacher circulates, providing pronunciation support and encouraging expressive speech.
Class Presentation and Reflection
PresentationStudents take turns presenting their “dream” paragraphs to the class, focusing on intonation and passion. This allows them to apply stress and rhythm authentically, and classmates can provide feedback. Class ReflectionReflect on how understanding intonation enhances their communication skills and adds meaning to their spoken English.
Conclusion
Using Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech in the classroom demonstrates the impact of authentic audio materials on language learning. Beyond understanding the vocabulary and themes of the speech, students experience the emotional weight of King’s words and the significance of this pivotal historical moment. Exposing them to such materials encourages students to listen more actively to English outside the classroom, whether on TV, in movies, or through podcasts, building their confidence in engaging with the language in real-world contexts.By focusing on intonation and stress, students begin to form a more natural, expressive way of speaking English. Learning these subtler elements early on sets the foundation for more fluent, authentic communication in the future. This activity’s alignment with educational initiatives such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals makes it a comprehensive and meaningful experience, building both linguistic skills and a socially conscious perspective.