Listening skills are important language skills for students. Students are constantly listening, but it can be challenging to develop hands-on activities where listening is the focus. Here are some ideas to help your students practice their listening skills while learning English.

Follow Directions

Map practice: Give students a simple neighborhood or park map picture. Give simple directions and have them move around the map and find the final location.

Drawing: Have two students sit on either side of a divider. Both students have a sheet of paper and crayons of the same color. One student is the speaker, and the other one is the listener. The speaker draws a simple picture. Then, they give directions to the listener. Finally, the two students compare pictures and see how similar they are.

Building: Have two students sit on either side of a divider. Both students get the same number, size, and color of Legos or blocks. One student is the speaker, and the other one is the listener. The speaker starts building with the Legos or blocks. As they are building, they give directions to the listener. Finally, the two students compare buildings and see if they are the same.

Read Alouds & Podcasts

Have students listen to a short podcast or read a short story to students. After listening to the story or podcast, have students write or draw about what they remember happening and then share what they remembered. For a story, try reading aloud without showing the pictures the first time. After students complete their drawings and share, go back and re-read the story, this time showing the pictures. Have students compare their drawings with how the illustrator drew them.

Give students pictures from a simple story or the steps to make something (build a tower, recipe, ext). Tell the story or give the directions, and have them put the pictures into order.

Prepositions

Give each student small toys. (a few of the same kinds). Then, give directions such as “Put the dog on top of the table.” Have students follow the directions. If students catch on, they can take turns giving the directions.

Resources

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Learning Resources Fox In The Box Position Word Activity Set

Learning Resources All About Me Sorting Neighborhood