Teacher Notes

Objectives & Sequence: This lesson is intended to be used as a preview of Grammar - Verb Patterns #2.

The following vocabulary words are used in this activity:

Part One: Warm Up

Discuss the following questions with a partner or group:

  • Did you play a musical instrument when you were young? If so, did you like it?
  • Is it popular for children to study music in your country?
  • Why do many parents want their children to study music?
  • How can someone become an amazing musician?

Part Two: Listening

Exercise

Open Exercise #1 to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document. Then, go on to Exercise #2.

Transcript

Welcome to the program. Today we're talking to the world-famous violinist Maple Wong. Thank you for talking with us today.

Maple Wong: Thank you, it's nice to be here.

Person 1: Now, of course, you are one of the most famous players in the world, but I want you to tell us when you started playing the violin.

Maple Wong: Well, I started when I was about five years old.

Person 1: When you were five? That's young.

Maple Wong: Is it? In China, where I grew up, I think it's normal. Most parents want their children to learn a musical instrument. A lot of children start much younger than I did.

Person 1: Really? So what kind of routine did you have for practicing?

Maple Wong: Like I said, my parents wanted me to be good, so they made me practice a lot on a usual day. I practiced about two or three hours.

Person 1: That's a lot. Did your parents ever let you take a break?

Maple Wong: Yes, of course, but they always told me to practice again if I took too long.

Person 1: When did you know that playing the violin was going to be your job?

Maple Wong: I'm not sure. When I was a child, I just loved playing and wanted to learn as much as I could. I guess I knew I was good when my music school invited me to come and study there.

Person 1: Can you tell us about your first music teacher?

Maple Wong: Yes, she was an old woman who lived in our neighborhood. She taught many children. She was very strict, but she was a good teacher.

Person 1: What did you learn from her?

Maple Wong: I learned to work hard. She made me want to be the best player in the world. I tried to improve every day for her.

Person 1: Do you have any advice for young students who are starting to learn a musical instrument?

Maple Wong: I will tell them to follow their dreams. If they want to be the best, they have to work hard.

Person 1: Thank you very much for talking to us today.

Maple Wong: Of course.

Exercises

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