Grade 7 English MUSIC – LISTENING AND SPEAKING:DELIVERING SPEECH Notes
LISTENING AND SPEAKING: DELIVERING SPEECH — MUSIC (English grammar notes)
Target: Kenyan learners, age 12. Focus: grammar points useful when preparing and delivering a short speech about music (school choir, local songs, concerts).
Lesson objectives
- Use correct tenses to talk about music events (past, present, future).
- Choose correct subject‑verb forms and pronouns in speech sentences.
- Use modals, imperatives and the passive voice correctly.
- Use transitions and punctuation to show pauses and emphasis in a spoken piece.
Key grammar points with musical examples
1. Tenses — which to use
- Present simple: facts or habits. Example: Our school choir sings every Monday.
- Present continuous: what is happening now or around now. Example: The band is practising for the county festival.
- Past simple: finished events. Example: We performed yesterday at the national assembly.
- Future (will / going to): plans or promises. Example: We will sing the Kenyan anthem tomorrow.
2. Subject‑verb agreement
A singular subject takes a singular verb; plural subject takes plural verb.
Examples: The choir sings (singular collective treated as one unit). The children sing (plural).
3. Pronouns and register (I, we, you)
Use "I" for personal views, "we" for group statements, and "you" to address the audience. Example: I learned a new song; we will perform it; you will enjoy it.
4. Modals for requests, permission and advice
- Can / could (ability, permission): Could you clap loudly?
- Should / must (advice, obligation): You should listen to the rhythm.
5. Imperatives — short commands or instructions
Use the base verb: Stand up. Listen carefully. Clap after the chorus.
6. Passive voice — when you want to focus on the song or action
Active: The choir sang the song. Passive: The song was sung by the choir.
Use passive when the performer is less important than the action.
7. Reported speech — telling what someone said (useful for quoting song lines)
Direct: She sang, "Let us unite." Reported: She said that we should unite.
Remember to shift the tense back when reporting past speech: present → past, will → would, can → could.
8. Linking words and transitions (help your speech flow)
Use words like: first, then, next, finally, because, however, therefore. Example: First we practiced the chorus; next we learned the solos.
9. Punctuation to show pauses and emphasis
- Comma (,) for a short pause.
- Dash (—) or ellipsis (...) for dramatic pause.
- Exclamation (!) for strong feeling.
Example: We sang the anthem, and everyone stood. The ending—wow! ...it was beautiful.
10. Contractions and formality
Use full forms for formal school speeches: We will perform. Use contractions for informal talks: We'll perform.
Short sample speech (musical theme)
Good morning. (greeting)
I am proud to say that our school choir sings every Friday after lessons. (present simple)
Yesterday, we performed at the town hall and everyone clapped loudly. (past simple)
We are practising a traditional song from our county because it helps us remember our culture. (present continuous + reason)
Next week we will sing at the national festival — we hope to make you proud. (future)
Practice activities
- Fill in tense: "Tomorrow we ________ (perform) a song for the governor." (Answer: will perform / are going to perform)
- Change to passive: "The choir sang the anthem." → ________ (Answer: The anthem was sung by the choir.)
- Correct subject‑verb: "The group of students (sing/sings) beautifully." (Answer: sings)
- Report the speech: Direct: He said, "We must practise." → Reported: ________ (Answer: He said that they must / had to practise.)
Quick tips for using grammar when you deliver
- Plan tense changes clearly—don’t switch tenses without reason.
- Use commas and short sentences to show where to pause while speaking.
- Choose formal grammar for official events (no contractions) and informal grammar for classmates.
Made for Kenyan classrooms — use local examples (school choir, county festival, national anthem) when you practise these grammar structures.