Listening: Listening for Specific Information A2 - Lesson 3: Following Simple, Step-by-Step Instructions (e.g., for a recipe, for directions)

Listening: Following Step-by-Step Instructions

CEFR Level A2

Lesson Goals

In this lesson, you will practice listening to and understanding instructions given as a series of actions. This is a useful skill for following a recipe or understanding directions.

Listening for Order

In English, when people give instructions, they often use special "sequence words" to show the order of the steps. If you can hear these words, you can understand the instructions even if you don't know every other word.

This is a very important skill for everyday life, like cooking, building something, or getting directions to a new place in Siem Reap.

Key Tip: Listen for Sequence Words

Pay close attention to these common words at the beginning of sentences. They are your guide to the correct order!

• First... (This is always step number one.)
• Next... (This comes after the first step.)
• Then... (This also comes after the previous step.)
• Finally... / Lastly... (This is the last step.)

Practice Activities

Listen to the instructions in the audio player. Focus on the sequence words to understand the correct order of the steps.

1. A Simple Recipe
   "Here is how to make tea. First, boil some water. Next, put the tea bag in a cup. Finally, pour the hot water into the cup."

   What is the correct order of the actions?

   • A) 1. Pour water, 2. Boil water, 3. Put tea bag in cup.
   • B) 1. Boil water, 2. Put tea bag in cup, 3. Pour water.
   • C) 1. Put tea bag in cup, 2. Pour water, 3. Boil water.
   Show Answer

   Answer: B. The sequence words "First," "Next," and "Finally" tell you the correct order.

2. Simple Directions
   "First, go straight on this road for two hundred meters. Then, turn left at the big hotel. The market is on your right."

   What is the first thing you should do?

   • A) Turn left.
   • B) Find the market.
   • C) Go straight.
   Show Answer

   Answer: C. The sequence word "First" tells you the first action is to "go straight".

3. Using an ATM
   "Here is how to get money. First, insert your card into the machine. Next, enter your PIN number. Then, choose the amount of money you want. Finally, take your card and your money."

   Put these actions in the correct order (1, 2, 3, 4):

   • ( ..... ) Choose the amount.
   • ( ..... ) Take your card and money.
   • ( ..... ) Insert your card.
   • ( ..... ) Enter your PIN.
   Show Answer

   Correct Order: (3) Choose the amount, (4) Take your card and money, (1) Insert your card, (2) Enter your PIN.

Vocabulary

• Step-by-step (adjective) [ជាជំហានៗ]

  Following a process in a specific, ordered sequence.

• Instructions (noun) [ការណែនាំ]

  Detailed information about how to do or use something.

• Recipe (noun) [រូបមន្ត]

  A set of instructions for preparing a particular dish of food.

• Directions (noun) [ទិសដៅ]

  Instructions on how to get to a particular place.

Your Mission

Now, practice this skill in your daily life with these two tasks.

1. Follow a Real Recipe: Find a simple video recipe online for a food you like (e.g., "how to make an omelette"). Listen to the instructions. Can you write down the sequence words you hear?
2. Give Simple Directions: With a friend, give simple, two-step directions in English to get somewhere in the room. Remember to use "First" and "Then." For example: "First, walk to the window. Then, touch the blue chair."