Summer Vacations - Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

Level	Topic	Speakers	Length
Intermediate	Vacation Plans	Man – Woman	01:49

Pre-Listening Exercise

Many people travel to new places during their summer vacations. Some go on cruises; other people visit the beach. However, other people like to spend time near home and just relax where they are. How about you? What are some activities you like to do during your vacations?

Agree or Disagree? Let’s Spark Some Conversation!

These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.

In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.
In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?
For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and check your progress.

Summer vacations are more important for relaxation than for learning.
Traveling during summer vacations is always better than staying home.
Summer camps are more beneficial than family trips.
People spend too much money on summer vacations.
Summer vacations are a waste of time if you don’t travel far.
Students should work or volunteer instead of taking a summer vacation.
Technology ruins the experience of summer vacations.
Summer vacations are more enjoyable in nature than in cities.
Planning vacations in advance is better than spontaneous trips.
Summer vacations should focus on experiences, not material souvenirs.

Idioms

“drive someone up the wall” = to annoy or bother someone a lot
“My brother kept talking in his sleep during our vacation, and that drove me up the wall.”

“hit the road” = to begin or start your travel
“Hey. We need to hit the road before 5:00 a.m. if we want to arrive at mom’s house by noon.”

Listening Exercise

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

Vocabulary Practice

Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:

Mixed-Up Sentence | Sentence and Vocabulary Matching

Post-Listening Exercise

Describe a vacation you took by yourself or with family and friends. Where did you go and what did you do? What did you enjoy most about the trip?

Online Investigation

Use the internet to find a good place to take a vacation and find information to answer these questions:

What place did you choose to research?
What is the best way to get there and how much does it cost to travel?
What are two places to stay in this area (e.g., hotel, bed and breakfast, campground, etc.) and how much does it cost each night?
What activities are available nearby? How much do these attractions cost?

See Listening Script

Back to Intermediate Quizzes

General Listening Quiz