4.1.1 Selective Listening Notes, Quizzes & Revision
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English — 4.1 Listening and Speaking: 4.1.1 Selective Listening (age 15, Kenya)
Specific learning outcomes — grammar focus
- a) Filter required information: identify content words and grammatical markers (numbers, dates, nouns, verbs, proper nouns, question words).
- b) Take notes from an oral text: record noun phrases, verb phrases and short clauses; use grammar-based abbreviations (e.g., "imp." for imperative, "prep." for preposition).
- c) Give and follow instructions: use and recognise imperative verbs, sequencing adverbs/phrases (first, then, next, finally), and negative imperatives ("do not", "don't").
- d) Ask for and give directions: use prepositions of place (left, right, behind, opposite, next to), verbs of motion (turn, go, continue), and landmarks as noun phrases.
- e) Argue for attentive listening: use modal verbs (should, must, need to) and conditional grammar to explain consequences of not listening.
- f) Identify categories of selective listening: spot grammatical features that mark instructions, directions and filtering information.
Key grammar features to listen for
- Imperatives: verbs in base form used as commands — "Turn left", "Bring the book", "Do not run". (Look for verb-first structure.)
- Sequencing words: first, then, next, after that, finally — signal order of steps.
- Prepositions of place: in, on, at, behind, between, opposite, next to, across from — important for directions.
- Motion verbs: go, turn, walk, follow, take, continue — show movement.
- Numbers and quantities: counts, times, distances — often the required details to filter.
- Question words & wh-forms: what, where, when, who, which — mark required info in instructions/requests.
- Modals for advice/obligation: should, must, have to, need to — used when arguing why listening is necessary.
- Reporting structures: converting spoken commands to reported speech: "He said, 'Close the door'." → "He told me to close the door."
Short oral passage (listen for grammar)
Imagine a teacher giving instructions for a school clean-up:
Teacher:
"First, collect all the plastic bottles from the compound. Then, separate paper and plastics into two bags.
Do not put wet waste into the paper bag. After that, take the bags to the store room opposite the science lab.
Finally, return to your classroom and report to the class prefect."
What to listen for (grammar clues)
- Imperatives: "collect", "separate", "take", "return", "report".
- Sequencers: "First", "Then", "After that", "Finally".
- Negative instruction: "Do not put".
- Location preposition + noun phrase: "opposite the science lab", "the compound", "your classroom".
Practice exercises (grammar-focused)
-
Identify the grammar:
Listen to a partner say a short set of directions to the school gate. Write down 3 imperatives and 2 prepositions you hear.
Example target answers: imperatives — "go", "turn", "stop"; prepositions — "at", "opposite".
-
Sequence the steps:
From the teacher passage above, list the steps using sequencing words (use "Step 1", "Step 2"...). Then convert each imperative into reported speech.
Example: Step 1 — The teacher told us to collect all the plastic bottles from the compound.
- Directions role-play (Kenyan context): One learner asks for directions to the nearest matatu stage or market. The speaker uses imperatives + prepositions. The listener writes the directions and underlines prepositions and landmarks.
- Filter for numbers: Listen to a short announcement (e.g., school assembly times or exam dates). Write only the numbers, dates, and times spoken.
- Argument task (grammar writing): Use modal verbs to write two sentences explaining why students must listen carefully when given instructions. (e.g., "Students must listen so they can follow safety rules.")
Simple visual: school-area directions
(School gate) → Kiosk → ← Science Lab (opposite) → Market
Example spoken direction: "Go straight from the school gate, pass the kiosk, turn left at the kiosk, the science lab is opposite the store."
Listen for verbs: go, pass, turn; prepositions: from, at, opposite.
Grammar-based note-taking tips
- Record verb forms (imperatives and main verbs) and nouns (people, places, times). These carry the main meaning.
- Write sequencing words at the margin: 1st, 2nd, finally — these show order.
- Use abbreviations for grammar clues: "imp" = imperative, "prep" = preposition, "num" = number.
- When you hear a negative command, mark it clearly: "Don't/Do not — ❌".
- Convert commands to short reported notes: "Teacher: collect bottles" → "T told to collect bottles (imp)".
Assessment ideas & local resources
- Oral quiz: Play a short recording (radio announcement or teacher instruction) and ask learners to list imperatives, prepositions and numbers heard.
- Role-play observation: assess correct use and recognition of imperatives and prepositions during directions role-play.
- Resources: use school announcements, local radio English bulletins, PSLE/KEBC past oral practice clips adapted for age 15, and classroom instructions (clean-up, lab work).