Sounds Of Music
This music ESL lesson teaches instruments, genres and language for discussing musical preferences. Students perform an Air Band mime, identify sounds and ask classmates 'Do you play...?' and 'What music do you like?' They write a music profile and roleplay an interview between a host and musician.
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Lesson format
2 × 45 minutes
Level
Pre-Intermediate
Age group
Ages 10–13
Main focus
Speaking first
What students will learn
Lesson flow
Students mime playing instruments for classmates to guess, learn instrument vocabulary asking 'Do you play the piano?', and guess genres from short audio clips. The second lesson votes on music genre preferences, writes a music profile naming a favourite instrument and genre, and performs a music-interview roleplay as host and musician.
Target language
- • 'Do you play an instrument?'
- • 'What kind of music do you like?'
- • 'I like / I don't like / I love'
- • Instrument and genre vocabulary
Key vocabulary
- guitar
- piano
- violin
- drums
- trumpet
- flute
- orchestra
- concert
- musician
- melody
Speaking questions students answer
- • Do you play the piano?
- • What kind of music do you like?
- • Do you like rock music?
- • What's the sound?
- • Why do you like jazz?
Recommended teaching contexts
Why this lesson works
The lesson follows a clear progression: Mime instruments in an Air Band game, interview classmates about instruments and music genres, write a music profile and roleplay a music interview. Teachers can open the materials and start immediately, while students move from supported vocabulary practice to purposeful spoken English.