I like to use audio loops for listening activities. Students in small groups hear the words a lot of times until they recreate the text. The easiest task is for them to write the words. But I prefer to have small pictures and words on little pieces of paper. Give one set to each group and they can move the pictures and words to re-construct the text. It’s more fun than writing and involves teamwork.

The usual listening set up in the classroom is to put the CD player at the front and play it loud enough for ll to hear. With a loop audio like this one, I like to put the player in the corner of the room, or even outside, and play the audio quietly. Then groups need to send one member to listen, and that member tries to snap a piece of the language and carry it in her head back to the group.

Here’s the environmentally-friendly text:

When you go to the store
refuse the bag.
Bring your own.
Recycle. Re-use.

It may take your students longer than you might expect to put the whole text together, even if this is just 14 words.

Standard Podcast [ 1:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5666)

Below you’ll find two short and simple songs about dogs (41 seconds long). The first is “I’m a Dog.”

I’m a dog and I eat bones.
I live in people’s homes.
I like to chase the neighborhood cats.
I don’t like to take baths.

The second version is “He’s a dog.” Since I now live in a Muslim country where dogs don’t live in houses, I changed it a bit.

I’m a dog and I eat meat
I live out on the street…
etc.

These songs were created as simple, model-based writing activities.

To do a follow-up writing activity, provide this model:

I’m a ___________
and I eat __________
I live _______________
I like to ____________
I don’t like to __________
(repeat line 1)

I'm a Dog [ 0:42 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4170)

He's a Dog [ 0:42 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3361)

The Bee

In your stomach
there lived a little bee.
She liked to eat some honey
and sing a song about a tree.
She dreamed of money,
but it is not free.

words and music by Dana Yastremskaya (age 10)
Minsk, Belarus

There’s a short version (0:35) and a longer version (1:10).  It’s a beautiful song, so I couldn’t help adding stuff to the long version.  However, the short version is all Dana.  The drawing of the bee is by Dana too.

The Bee [ 0:35 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2593)

The Bee, long version [ 1:10 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2902)

Lonely Spider

In a cave there lived a spider.
He liked to drink warm apple cider.
He liked to think about his life.
He wondered if he’d ever have a wife.
Lonely spider.

Lonely Spider [ 0:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1376)

The Croc

In the river
there lived a croc.
He liked to lie (3X)
upon a big flat rock.
He dreamed of going for a walk,
But he had no shoes
and he only had one sock.

This songs just 20 seconds long. For kids, I play it a few times, providing a bit more scaffolding at each stage to help their listening comprehension. I might play the song once with no visual aids, asking them to write down anything at all they hear. After the first listing, I’ll give them time to consult each other. Next, I might provide a model on the board: certain words, a gap-fill, or the structure, like this

In
there
He
upon
He
but
and…

Can’t go wrong with such a short silly song! Wish my language teachers (Arabic, Latin, Russian, Swedish, German, Polish, Chinese, Spanish, Romanian, French) had given me little listening tasks. Just once even.

You’ll also found a slower version: it’s just 24 seconds but easier to understand.

The Croc [ 0:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (831)

The Croc, Slower [ 0:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (478)

That’s right. This 15-second song lists the largest countries of the world. It’s a good dictation for groups of all levels. Play the song and students write. You might not tell them the title, only afterwards asking them what the relationship of these 10 countries is.

Ten Biggest Countries Song [ 0:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (863)

The Cockroach

In the kitchen
there lived a cockroach.
He liked to eat
inside the fridge
He dreamed of eating
all the fridge food
but the door is closed.

words and music: Nick Artyushevski (age 11), Minsk, Belarus

The Cockroach [ 0:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (432)

In this very rockin’ song, a guy asks a waitress for a capuccino.  And he requests a few other things, not all of which make much sense.

I can’t imagine why a teacher would play this song in class.  That’s why it’s in the “Strange & Silly” section.  However, if you do use it, let me know.

words and music:  Bilby Lighthouse   |    drums:  Sir Nedrick    |   2600:  Kevin

“Capuccino, if you would. Light on the cinammon… etc.

Capuccino [ 1:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (872)