Listening: Listening for Specific Information A2 - Lesson 3: Following Simple, Step-by-Step Instructions (e.g., for a recipe, for directions)
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify and understand common instruction verbs (e.g., "take," "put," "go," "turn").
- Understand sequence words (e.g., "first," "then," "next," "finally") that show the order of steps.
- Follow a short series (3-4 steps) of simple spoken English instructions.
- Feel more confident understanding and acting on basic step-by-step directions in English.
💡 Key Concepts: Listening to Do Things in Order
Hello A2 learners! Sometimes, we need to follow instructions that have many steps. For example, when cooking a simple dish, making a craft, or finding a place, you need to do things in the correct order.
To understand these step-by-step instructions, listen for:
- Instruction verbs (imperatives): These are action words that tell you what to do. Examples: Take the book. Open the door. Mix the ingredients.
- Sequence words: These words tell you the order of the actions. Examples: First, Then, Next, After that, Finally.
Listening for these words will help you understand each step and the whole process.
🇰🇭 Cambodian Context: Following Steps in Daily Life
Sua s'dei! In Cambodia, you follow steps for many things. Maybe your mother taught you the steps to make delicious Num Ansom (នំអន្សម - sticky rice cake), or your teacher showed you the steps to do a school project. You listen to each step carefully.
In English, it's the same. If you are learning a new craft online, or if a friend in Battambang is giving you simple directions in English to their house, you need to follow the steps. This lesson will help you practice listening for those important action words and sequence words.
🎧 Pre-Listening Activity: Instruction Words
Let's look at some common instruction words. Click "Listen" to hear them.
Instruction Verbs:
- Take
- Put
- Go
- Turn
- Add
- Mix
- Cut
- Wash
Sequence Words:
- First
- Then
- Next
- Finally
🔊 Listening Tasks: Follow the Steps!
Important Note for Learners: This lesson uses your browser's Text-to-Speech (TTS) to "speak" the instructions. Click the "🔊 Listen to Instructions" buttons. For the best learning on your full platform, use clear, pre-recorded human audio with natural pacing.
Task 1: Making a Simple Drink
Put these steps in the correct order (1, 2, 3, 4). (On a real platform, you could drag and drop these.)
- Pour water into the glass.
- Add a slice of lemon.
- Take a glass.
- Put ice in the glass.
Task 2: Simple Directions
Listen to the directions and answer the questions.
1. What is the first step?
2. Where do you turn right?
3. Where is the library?
📝 Post-Listening Activity: Give Instructions!
Think of a simple task, like how to make tea, or how to draw a simple flower. Can you give 3-4 simple steps in English? Use sequence words like "First," "Next," "Then," "Finally."
Example: How to draw a simple sun.
- First, draw a circle.
- Next, draw short lines around the circle.
- Finally, color the sun yellow.
Practice giving and following simple instructions with a partner!
🚀 Key Takeaways & Listening Strategies
- Listen carefully for instruction verbs (take, put, go, turn, add, mix, etc.).
- Pay attention to sequence words (First, Then, Next, Finally) to understand the order.
- Try to picture the steps in your mind as you listen.
- If you miss a step, don't worry. Try to catch the next one. You can always ask for repetition in real life.
💬 Feedback & Learner Tips (Self-Assessment)
After the exercises:
- Could you understand the action verbs in the instructions?
- Did the sequence words help you know the order of the steps?
- Was it easy or difficult to remember all the steps?
🇰🇭 Tips for Cambodian Learners:
When you follow instructions for a recipe, like making your favorite Khmer curry (ការី - karii), you do things in a special order. It's the same for English instructions! The sequence words are very important.
In Battambang, if you ask someone for directions, listen for words like "go straight" (ទៅត្រង់ - tov trɑŋ), "turn left" (បត់ឆ្វេង - bɑt chweng), "turn right" (បត់ស្តាំ - bɑt sdam). This lesson helps you practice those kinds of instructions in English. Keep up the good work!
📚 Further Practice & Application
- Watch simple English cooking videos for kids or very basic recipe tutorials. Try to follow the steps.
- Use English learning apps that have exercises on following directions or instructions.
- Look at instructions for simple games or crafts in English. Try to understand the steps.
- Practice giving simple directions to a place in your town to a friend, using English.