Listening for Key Words and Phrases
People & IntroductionsLearning Objectives
• Recognise important key words and stressed words in natural speech.
• Identify personal information: name, age, nationality, occupation, hobbies.
• Complete a form or notes using key words from a spoken text.
| Listening Strategy: Spotting Key Words |
| STEP 1 — Before you listen: Read the questions. What information do you need? |
| STEP 2 — Predict: Are you listening for a name? A place? A number? A hobby? |
| STEP 3 — While listening: Focus on stressed words — speakers say key words louder and slower. |
| STEP 4 — Ignore grammar words (a, the, and, is). Only content words carry the key information. |
| STEP 5 — After listening: Check your answers. Do they make sense in context? |
Key Vocabulary
| Word / Phrase | Meaning |
| introduce (v) | to say your name and basic information to someone new |
| hobby (n) | something you enjoy doing in your free time |
| favourite (adj) | the thing you like the most |
| nationality (n) | the country someone is from (e.g. Turkish, Spanish) |
| occupation (n) | a person's job or what they study |
| semester (n) | half of an academic year (approximately 5 months) |
Skill Focus: What Are Key Words?
Key words are the MOST IMPORTANT words in a sentence. They carry the main meaning. When you listen, you do not need to understand every word — just focus on the KEY WORDS.
| Full sentence (what the speaker says) | Key words to listen for |
| My name is Anna and I am from Spain. | Anna / Spain |
| I have two sisters and one brother. | two sisters / one brother |
| My favourite hobby is playing football. | favourite / football |
| I study English at City College. | study / English / City College |
1A
Personal Introduction
Speed:
Listen to the introduction. Circle the correct answer.
Listen to the introduction. Circle the correct answer
1
Marco is from ___.
2
He is ___ years old.
3
His favourite subject is ___.
4
In his free time he plays ___.
1B
Two Friends Talking
Speed:
Exercise 1
Exercise 1. Listen and write the missing key words.
1
Tom studies English and .
2
Sara studies English and .
3
Tom's hobbies are cooking and in the park.
4
Sara also likes .
Exercise 2
Exercise 2. Match the key word with its meaning.
1hobby (n)
2favourite (adj)
3subject (n)
4introduce (v)
A what you study at school or university
B an activity you do for fun in your free time
C the one you like best
D to tell someone your name for the first time
1C
Orientation Day Introductions
Speed:
Exercise 1
Exercise 1. Listen and complete the form. Write ONE OR TWO WORDS OR A NUMBER.
| Student Registration Form | |
| Student 1: | |
| Name: Kenji Age: | Country: Wants to study: |
| Student 2: | |
| Name: Sofia Languages: Portuguese + | Country: Brazil Hobby: |
| Student 3: | |
| Name: Omar Age: 22 | Country: Hobbies: chess and |
Exercise 2
Exercise 2. Listen again. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1
Dr. Shaw is from ___.
2
Sofia speaks ___.
3
Omar wants to study ___.
4
How many students introduce themselves (not including the tutor)?
1D
A Radio Interview
Speed:
Exercise 1
Exercise 1. Choose the correct answer A, B, or C.
1
Amara's first language is ___.
2
Why did Amara choose this programme?
3
Amara does self-study for at least ___.
4
What does Amara do on Saturday mornings?
Exercise 2
Exercise 2. Write True, False or Not Given. (T / F / NG)
1
Amara grew up in Nigeria.
2
Amara wants to study international business.
3
She has classes every afternoon.
4
She goes to a dance class with friends at weekends.
5
She has never cooked Nigerian food herself before.