Music & concerts.
It is the soundtrack to everyone’s life — the songs, the artists, the unforgettable nights. A topic that gets even quiet classes humming along.
Warm-up · ask three
- What’s the last song you played?
- What song instantly puts you in a good mood?
- Have you ever been to a live concert?
Turn it up
Let's talk
Discussion questions
Project the generator and let it cold-call a question. Filter by level, then give a student 60 seconds to talk. Browse the full decks below.
Random question generator
Press “New question” to put one on the board.
Deck 1
Your taste
- What's your favorite type of music, and why?A2
- Who's your favorite artist or band?A2
- How often do you listen to music? When and where?A2
- Do you prefer listening alone or with others?A2
- How do you usually discover new music?B1
Deck 2
Playing & making
- Do you play any instruments? Which would you love to learn?A2
- Have you ever sung in public — karaoke counts!A2
- What makes someone a great singer or musician?B1
- Could you ever write your own song? What would it be about?B1
- Is musical talent born or made?B2–C1
Deck 3
Live music
- Have you been to a concert? Which was the best?A2
- Which artist would you pay anything to see live?A2
- What's the atmosphere like at a live show?B1
- Big festivals or small intimate gigs — which is more you?B1
- Have you ever met, or would you like to meet, a musician?B1
Deck 4
Music & feelings
- What's your go-to song when you're happy? When you're sad?A2
- How do you share music with your friends?A2
- How does music change your mood?B1
- Is there a song that takes you straight back to a memory?B1
- Could you imagine life with no music at all?B1
Deck 5
Big questions
- Do music videos add to a song, or distract from it?B1
- Can music genuinely bring people together? How?B2–C1
- Is it better to own music or just stream it?B2–C1
- Should artists be paid more fairly by streaming apps?B2–C1
- Does the music you love say something about who you are?B2–C1
Talk for longer
Useful language
Give students the words to talk taste, react and recommend. Pre-teach a handful, then challenge them to slip three into the discussion or the game.
Sentence starters
Scaffolding for A2–B1 — finish the sentence about you.
Talking about taste
Reacting to a song
Describing a concert
Recommending
Words & phrases
Collocations to upgrade B1–C1 speaking.
easy to remember and sing
"Such a catchy chorus."
an artist famous for just one song
"They were a total one-hit wonder."
to travel around performing
"The band's going on tour this summer."
a concert (informal)
"We went to a live gig on Friday."
a really good song (informal)
"Oh, this is such a tune!"
the official ranking of popular songs
"It shot straight to the top of the charts."
to sing with music that's playing
"Everyone was singing along."
Describing-music word bank
Quick words to describe a song or a sound.
Classroom game
Soundtrack Spinner
Spin the wheel for a music prompt. The student it lands on must name a real song that fits — and say why in one sentence. Bonus point if they can hum a few bars!
Ready to spin
Press spin to choose a music prompt.
How to play: Spin, read the prompt, and nominate a student or team to answer. Award a point for a song that fits with a reason — and a bonus if the class recognizes the tune.
Model dialogue
Zoe & Theo, sound on
Read it together, notice the highlighted phrases, then act it out — and finally plan a festival of your own.
In a café with good music playing. Two friends are talking over their coffees.
This café always plays such good music. What are you listening to these days?
Honestly, a bit of everything. But I'm really into indie rock right now.
Same energy. Who's your go-to?
There's this band — small, but their new song is so catchy I can't stop singing it.
Send it to me! Have they got any live gigs coming up?
Actually yeah, they're about to go on tour. I'm trying to get tickets.
So jealous. The best night of my life was seeing Coldplay live.
Big concert?
Massive. The atmosphere was electric — fifty thousand people singing along.
That's the dream. Do you play anything yourself?
Piano, since I was a kid. You?
Guitar, badly. But it's the best way to relax.
Then we should start a band.
Terrible idea. I'm in.
Now plan a festival together
Student A · the superfan
You care about the lineup
You want the dream bill — the artists, the headliner, the surprise guest. Make it a festival people would wait in line all night for.
Student B · the organizer
You care about the experience
You want a clear vibe, the right place, and a crowd that comes back next year. Keep it realistic and unforgettable.
Your mission
- Agree on the name and the vibe of your festival.
- Choose three artists or bands to headline.
- Decide where and when it happens, and who it's for.
- Pitch your festival to the class in 60 seconds — use at least three phrases from the Useful language section.
Wind down & write
Choose your writing task
Pick one prompt to finish in class or as homework. Every option keeps students writing about the music they love.
01
Write about your favorite song or album. What makes it so special to you?
02
Describe a memorable concert or live performance. What made it stand out?
03
You're organizing a music festival. Which artists would you invite, and why?
04
Write about the role music plays in your daily life.
05
Describe a time a song helped you through something difficult.
Exit ticket · 60 seconds
Before you leave
Quick round-the-room close: each student answers in one sentence. Build a class playlist on the way out.
"Name one song the whole class should hear — and tell us why in a sentence."