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.