In Haystack Words the listener needs to dig out words or phrases from other words, chatter, noises, and so on.

It’s a form of listening that we all do every day. Think of all the conversations we have when there is background noise and distractions. But we don’t practice this form of listening in language lessons much.

The haystack idea, by the way, comes from a childhood memory. On the Fourth of July, at the school near my home, they made a big haystack, and they mixed coins inside–pennies, nickels, dimes–and we kids threw ourselves on the haystack and battled for those coins.

Digging valuable meaning from the haystack, from the extraneous noise, is a necessary langauge skill. These activities try to make practicing that skill a little bit fun.

In an airport in Cambodia, I heard an alarm come on and the following emergency announcement. Normally, you should listen to the announcement and follow instructions–not record it for future use as an English language learning activity. But nobody seemed to be reacting to it!

However, this is AUTHENTIC language. Yes, it is English spoken by a Cambodian, but it is the kind of English–in an airport in a foreign country–that English learners are very likely to encounter in their lives. It is English being used as the common language and with extraneous sounds in the background. Just like if you were at this airport. And that is why this is a good listening activity.

Listen carefully and supply the missing words. The message repeats two times.

Ladies and (1) ___________: This is a (2) ___________ announcement. We are (3) ___________ to (4) ___________ the (5) ___________ now. Please remain (6) ___________ and (7) ___________ the airport staff (8) ___________ . Thank (9) ___________ .

Answers: (1) gentleman, (2) safety, (3) going, (4) evacuate, (5) terminal, (6) calm, (7) follow, (8) instructions, (9) you

Airport Evacuation Announcement, Cambodia [ 0:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1069)

Want to listen in on things that happen at a party?  You’ll have to dig out phrases from the background noise of the party. I n fact, there are eleven phrases.  Write them down as you listen.  (Best done in pairs so that learners can help each other).  Some phrases are loud and clear and some less so–just like in real life.

What’s the point?  Well, in reality, we very often have to pick up snippets (little pieces) of conversation when it’s noisy or when several people are speaking at once.  This is good practice. And fun, I think.

Furthermore, the eleven (11) phrases that you will hear are fixed, or semi-fixed.  They are complete utterances and fairly common.  That means you can say them just as you hear them, for the most part, and that’s practical!

As a follow up, discuss what the speaker is probably or perhaps refering to with each one of these phrases.  For example, the woman says, “Don’t tempt me…”  What do you think she’s talking about?  In what context?  (They are many possible answers).

Now, close your eyes because the answers are written below.

(1) Can I get you a drink? (2) I like what you’ve done with the place. (3) Don’t tempt me (4) You look great! (5) Mmmm. These are really good. (6) Have you lost weight? (7) It’s been ages. (8) Where’s the bathroom? (9) Yeah. Okay. Okay. Sounds good. [“Sounds good” is usually said when two people agree on something–like a time to meet in the future.} (10) How was your vacation? (11) Well, it’s gettin late.

The Party, Haystack of Words [ 1:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (13455)

You’re going to hear the sounds of Victory Day, May 9th, of 2004, in Vladivostok. It’s a celebration. Above this background sound you will hear three native English speakers reciting a list of 15 words that have to do with Victory Day. They don’t speak the words in any particular order. Sometimes they talk at the same time. So you need to focus your listening skills.

The best way to do this activity is in teams or pairs. Each team will listen and try to be the first to collect all 15 words (or phrases) about the celebration. The audio is nearly two minutes long, but students may finish much earlier.

Good luck.

I don’t think you need the answers. 

Victory Day, Haystack of Words [ 1:52 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (773)