Active listening: improving communication skills

Summary

This 90-minute ESL lesson for B2 learners explores Active listening: improving communication skills through a real video. Across 9 interactive exercises, you'll develop listening comprehension, vocabulary, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.

What you'll practise:

• 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
• Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
• Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings

Lesson activities (9 exercises)

Each exercise builds on the previous one. Work through them in order for the best learning experience.

1. Warm-up — Discussion questions to activate what you already know about the topic.
2. Watch — Watch the video excerpt from 0:55 to 4:50. Focus on the main ideas, key vocabulary, and examples.
3. Comprehension — Answer questions to check your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details.
4. Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the video, with definitions and usage notes.
5. True / False — Test your detailed understanding — decide if each statement matches the source.
6. Fill the gaps — Complete sentences with the correct vocabulary. Drag and drop or type your answers.
7. Multiple choice — Choose the correct answer from four options — testing comprehension and language use.
8. Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
9. Discussion — Reflect on the topic and share your opinions using the language you've learned.

Vocabulary

This lesson introduces 5 key terms drawn directly from the video:

• To read between the lines — to understand the real or hidden meaning behind what someone says or writes, even if it's not stated directly.
• To be on the same wavelength — to think in a similar way and to understand each other well.
• To get your wires crossed — to have a misunderstanding with someone, often because you thought they were talking about something different.
• To chime in — to join a conversation and add your opinion or thoughts, especially one that you were just listening to.
• Unsolicited advice — advice that is given to someone who did not ask for it.

Grammar

This lesson includes a grammar focus with clear explanations and practice exercises.