Listening for Key Words and Phrases
People & Introductions👩🏫 Teacher notes
Teacher Notes
Aim: Students identify key content words and filter out less important words.
Tip: Model the key-word strategy with the table below before playing audio.
Audio 1A: Simple, slow delivery.
Audio 1B: More natural pace with overlapping content. (Dialogue)
Audio 1C: More natural pace with overlapping content (conversation – 4 people).
Audio 1D: This script is longer and faster. The speakers use more natural language.
Aim: Students identify key content words and filter out less important words.
Tip: Model the key-word strategy with the table below before playing audio.
Audio 1A: Simple, slow delivery.
Audio 1B: More natural pace with overlapping content. (Dialogue)
Audio 1C: More natural pace with overlapping content (conversation – 4 people).
Audio 1D: This script is longer and faster. The speakers use more natural language.
Learning 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:
Audio Script
Hello! My name is Marco. I am nineteen years old. I am from a city called Naples in Italy. I live with my mother, my father, and my younger sister. I study at a university preparatory school in the city centre. My favourite subject is mathematics. In my free time, I like playing basketball and listening to music. Nice to meet you!
Hello! My name is Marco. I am nineteen years old. I am from a city called Naples in Italy. I live with my mother, my father, and my younger sister. I study at a university preparatory school in the city centre. My favourite subject is mathematics. In my free time, I like playing basketball and listening to music. Nice to meet you!
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:
Audio Script
SARA:
Hi! I'm Sara. What's your name?
TOM:
My name is Tom. Nice to meet you, Sara.
SARA:
Are you a student here?
TOM:
Yes, I am. I study English and science. What about you?
SARA:
I study English and art. Do you have any hobbies?
TOM:
Yes! I love cooking and I enjoy walking in the park.
SARA:
That's nice. I like cooking too!
SARA:
Hi! I'm Sara. What's your name?
TOM:
My name is Tom. Nice to meet you, Sara.
SARA:
Are you a student here?
TOM:
Yes, I am. I study English and science. What about you?
SARA:
I study English and art. Do you have any hobbies?
TOM:
Yes! I love cooking and I enjoy walking in the park.
SARA:
That's nice. I like cooking too!
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:
Audio Script
TUTOR:
Welcome, everyone! Let's introduce ourselves. I'll start. My name is Dr. Shaw. I am your English tutor this semester. I am from the UK — from a city called Leeds.
KENJI:
Hi, I'm Kenji. I'm from Japan. I'm twenty years old. I want to study engineering here.
SOFIA:
My name is Sofia. I'm from Brazil. I speak Portuguese and some Spanish. My hobby is photography.
OMAR:
Hello everyone. I am Omar. I am from Egypt. I am twenty-two. I want to study medicine. In my free time, I play chess and read books.
TUTOR:
Welcome, everyone! Let's introduce ourselves. I'll start. My name is Dr. Shaw. I am your English tutor this semester. I am from the UK — from a city called Leeds.
KENJI:
Hi, I'm Kenji. I'm from Japan. I'm twenty years old. I want to study engineering here.
SOFIA:
My name is Sofia. I'm from Brazil. I speak Portuguese and some Spanish. My hobby is photography.
OMAR:
Hello everyone. I am Omar. I am from Egypt. I am twenty-two. I want to study medicine. In my free time, I play chess and read books.
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:
Audio Script 1D
HOST:
Good morning and welcome to Student World. Today I'm speaking with Amara, a first-year university prep student. Amara, can you tell us about yourself?
AMARA:
Sure! I'm Amara. I'm originally from Nigeria but I grew up in Paris, so my first language is actually French, not Yoruba.
HOST:
Interesting! And why did you choose to study here?
AMARA:
Well, I want to study international business, so I need to improve my academic English. The programme here is very good.
HOST:
What's your daily routine like as a student?
AMARA:
I have classes every morning from eight until one. After lunch, I usually go to the library for self-study. I try to do at least two hours.
HOST:
That's very disciplined! Do you have time for a social life?
AMARA:
Ha! A little. On weekends, I go to a salsa dance class with some friends. I also volunteer at a local community centre on Saturday mornings.
HOST:
What do you find most difficult about living and studying here?
AMARA:
Honestly, the food! I really miss Nigerian cooking. But I've started cooking at home, so it's getting better.
HOST:
Good morning and welcome to Student World. Today I'm speaking with Amara, a first-year university prep student. Amara, can you tell us about yourself?
AMARA:
Sure! I'm Amara. I'm originally from Nigeria but I grew up in Paris, so my first language is actually French, not Yoruba.
HOST:
Interesting! And why did you choose to study here?
AMARA:
Well, I want to study international business, so I need to improve my academic English. The programme here is very good.
HOST:
What's your daily routine like as a student?
AMARA:
I have classes every morning from eight until one. After lunch, I usually go to the library for self-study. I try to do at least two hours.
HOST:
That's very disciplined! Do you have time for a social life?
AMARA:
Ha! A little. On weekends, I go to a salsa dance class with some friends. I also volunteer at a local community centre on Saturday mornings.
HOST:
What do you find most difficult about living and studying here?
AMARA:
Honestly, the food! I really miss Nigerian cooking. But I've started cooking at home, so it's getting better.
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.