The activities are divided into 3 categories according to when they should be done: before listening/reading, during listening/reading, and after listening/reading. Some of the activities are suitable for more than one stage but I have chosen the stage that is the most suitable for (in my opinion).

Activities to be done before listening/reading

• Replace words with relevant drawings. Students have to identify the missing words before reading or listening to the text.
• Students discuss or describe photographs related to the topic.
• Students brainstorm ideas about the topic.
• Jumble the words of the title of the text for the students to reconstruct it (for more advanced learners letters can be jumbled).
• Students predict the content of the text by reading its title.
• Pre-teach necessary vocabulary to help students understand the text.
• Students brainstorm the vocabulary which might be associated to the topic.
• Students predict possible vocabulary items which may appear in the text.
• Students select or write songs to produce a class song book.

Activities to be done during listening/reading

• Students read or listen to the text in order to identify stress, rhythm, intonation patterns etc.
• Students answer multiple choice questions.
• Design activities on the text that are similar to examination questions.
• Students complete/create charts or diagrams about the text.
• Omit words to produce a gapped text. Students have to reconstruct the text by choosing the correct words from a list. The activity can be more difficult if there are more words than students need.
• Cut up and mix the sentences (or just the lines) of a text. Students have to order the sentences/lines.
• Students listen to the song and take dictation.
• Students read or listen to the text to confirm what was predicted in the “pre” stage.
• Students identify deliberate mistakes (grammar, vocabulary, word order, punctuation etc.)
• Students read a gapped text and fill in the blanks.
• Students invent a title for each paragraph and a title for the whole text. This can be easily adapted for a song (title for each verse and title for the song).
• Students read or listen to the text to extract information to write a summary.
• Students read or listen to the text and put pictures in the correct order.
• Students read the text and delete words to create a gap-fill task for other students.

Activities to be done after listening/reading

• Students create their own multiple choice questions for others.
• Students sing a song and record it. Play it again and improve on pronunciation.
• Students write a dialogue between the characters.
• Students write first and then speak about the topic.
• Students write a letter to one of the characters in the text.
• After the song / text is finished students predict what happened next.
• Students write their own lyrics to the tune of the song.
• Students invent essay titles related to the topic of the text and write one of the essays.
• Students interview one of the characters.
• Students write a summary of the text.
• Use the text as a springboard to initiate discussions to develop student’s ideas about the topic.
• Students perform the song.
• Students identify the meaning of words as used in the text.
• Students role-play the situation as described in the text.
• Students design posters related to the topic (or to promote the song) which are then displayed.
• Students write a reply to the author/singer.
• Students re-write the text from another character’s point of view.