Academic Listenings: TED Talks
This blog provides a range of Academic Listening Tests based on TED Talks and includes a free download. The tests are designed to help students develop lecture and note-taking listening skills. The listenings range in length from 10 – 15 minutes long. The test question booklet includes a range of test types from TFNG, gap fills, table completion, mini-summaries, numbers etc.. All tests are interesting, highly-motivating and challenging.
More listening lessons: HBR, TED Talks general Listening, TED Talks 6 min listenings, BBC 6 minute Listenings, Lecture listenings (Stanford, Harvard, Oxford)
Free Download: A TED TALK Test Example
These tests can be used in a variety ways. The main idea is that students listen to the TED Talk Lecture two times and take notes. Then they are given the test question booklet and have 25 minutes to answer the questions from their notes. For lower levels they are given the test question booklet first and have 5 minutes to read the questions then listen two times and answer the questions.
Don’t insist on English – Patricia Ryan
TED TALK: The globalisation of English and its testing systems can have negative affects on students from various backgrounds. Level: ***** [B1/B2/] / Video [10:35] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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15x TED Talk PDF Worksheets
1.China Firewall, 2.Warehouses, 3.Office work 4.End of world 5.Global Future 6.Incovenient Truth 7.Insist on English 8.Texting English 9.Social Progress 10.Price of Happiness 11.Philosophy of Success 12. Domestic Violence 13.Viral Videos 14.Doctors’ Prescriptions 15. Team Building
AMAZING VALUE – buy all these listening worksheets in one PDF book. Book Example.
TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
A.I Save Humanity
How can A.I save humanity? – Kai Fu Lee,
TED TALK: This lecture discusses how China has embraced A.I technology and is accelerating its advancement. It focuses on the main challenges that we all face with an A.I future and how it will positively compliment our lives. Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [14:42] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
China’s Firewall
The Great Firewall of China – Michael Anti
TED TALK: How the central government controls the internet and how a number of micro-bloggers are finding ways around this control. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [18:51] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Circular Economy
TED TALK: the circular economy: a simple explanation by Cillian Lohan
TED Talk: A short listening lecture on what is the circular economy, how humans are the stewards of the earth and have a responsibility to protect it and examples of how the circular economy works. Example. Level ***** [B2/C1] / Video [13.13] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Reading Test: The Circular Economy [new for 2020]
The text provides an overview of both the linear and circular economy. It discusses the positive aspects of a circular economy and how economies can change to this new model.The reading test worksheet tests headings / T,F,NG / open answers / gap fill / information tables / reference words / vocabulary. (Example) Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Circular Economy. Reading & Summary Writing Lesson [New for 2020]
The text provides an overview of both the linear and circular economy. It discusses the positive aspects of a circular economy and how economies can change to this new model. The lesson includes a critical thinking worksheet too. (Example) Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Critical Thinking Tips
5 tips to improve critical thinking (new for 2020) – Samantha Agoos
TED TALK: This lecture discusses briefly what is critical thinking and five key strategies to apply to improve critical thinking. It is a good listening as an introduction to criticality. Example. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [4:16] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Doctor’s Prescriptions
Doctors and the drugs they prescribe – Ben Goldacre
TED TALK: Corruption and bias in medical trials and academic institutions. A range of evidence on research misconduct and fake fixes. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [13:29] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence victims – Leslie Morgan Steiner
TED TALK: The secrets of domestic violence, and the four key steps to domestic abuse. How to leave a relationship of domestic abuse. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [/B2/C1] / Video [15:59] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Don’t Insist on English
Don’t insist on English – Patricia Ryan
TED TALK: The globalisation of English and its testing systems can have negative affects on students from various backgrounds. Example of worksheet Level: ***** [B1/B2/] / Video [10:35] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Don’t insist on English – Patricia Ryan
AEUK has created a PowerPoint for this talk: Download PPT.
Authentic idea! Print off Power Point slides (3 slides per page) and add notes while you listen, then answer the question sheet.
End of the World
10 ways the world could end – Stephan Petranek
TED TALK: A discussion of ten probable disasters, with examples and possible solutions. A detailed talk from an established colonisation scientist.Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [C1] / Video [29:42] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Critical Thinking: Ethical Dilemmas
Would you sacrifice one person to save five? (new) – Eleanor Nelson
TED TALK: This lecture discusses an ethical dilemma called ‘The Trolley Problem’ devised by Philippa Foot (1967). It highlights why this type of ethical analysis is important in contemporary society. Example. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [4:35] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Global Future
Navigating our global future – Ian Goldin
TED TALK: Discussing the future fragility of society and the environment. The speaker offers possible solutions for a more focused future. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [C1] / Video [07:06] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Inconvenient Truth
The other inconvenient truth – Jonathan Foley
TED TALK: World’s food demand has driven climate change, biodiversity problems and environmental destruction. ‘Terraculture’ is a possible solution.Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [C1] / Video [17:46] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Making Methane from Rubbish
Taking trash talk to a whole new level (New) – Peter Harris
TED TALK: The lecturer discusses how road transport related emissions could be significantly reduced by using waste-derived methane as a fuel. Example Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [09:55] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Office Work Problems
Why work doesn’t happen at work – Jason Fried
TED TALK: the problems with working in an office environment & highlights two main reasons and three possible improvement solutions.Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [15:21] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Why work doesn’t happen at work – Jason Fried
AEUK has created a PowerPoint for this talk: Download PPT. and also created a video that connects to the PPT: Video.
Authentic idea! Print off PPT slides (3 slides per page) and add notes while you listen, then answer the question sheet.
Philosophy of Success
A gentler philosophy of success – Alain de Botton
TED TALK: Society is too focused on careers, materialism & what others’ think. True success is to change our focus & examine our own philosophy of life. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [C1] / Video [16:51] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Price of Happiness
The price of happiness – Benjamin Wallace
TED TALK: Analysis of 12 top luxury products from a hotel suite to nano-particle soap. Concludes with a study from Stanford University. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [14:41] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Procrastination
Procrastination: Inside the mind of a master procrastinator – Tim Urban
TED TALK: A really funny talk on three characters that play an important part in the mind of a procrastinator. Includes comprehension questions and a PPT (see example). Level ***** [B2/C1] Video [14.00] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Procrastination: Inside the mind of a master procrastinator – Tim Urban
AEUK has created a PowerPoint for this talk: Download PPT.
Authentic idea! Print off PPT slides (3 slides per page) and add notes while you listen, then answer the question sheet.
More lessons on Procrastination. Go here.
Reality of Truth
How to see past your own perspective and find truth – Michael Patrick Lynch
TED TALK: This lecture discusses how we have become all polarised in our shared values and need to apply three concepts to create a common reality of truth. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [C1] / Video [14:19] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
The Social Progress Index
The Social Progress Index – Michael Green
TED TALK: GDP is out-dated and was invented in the 1930s. There is a need for a more effective measurement tool – The social Progress Index. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [14:56] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Team Building
Build a tower, build a team – Tom Wujec
TED TALK: This talks discusses how a team-building activity called the ‘Marshmallow Challenge’ helps develop team cohesion. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [06:44] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Build a tower, build a team – Tom Wujec
AEUK has created a PowerPoint for this talk: Download PPT.
Authentic idea! Print off Power Point slides (3 slides per page) and add notes while you listen, then answer the question sheet.
Activity lesson: Team-building and the Marshmallow Challenge. Go here.
Texting Language
Texting is killing language – John McWhorter
TED TALK: How texting on smart phones is changing the way we view language and how it is a process of linguistic evolution. Example of worksheet Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [13:48] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Viral Videos
Why videos go Viral – Kevin Alloca
TED TALK: You Tube trends manager discusses viral videos are connected to three important factors and how audience participation is important. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [07:21] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Warehouses
What happens inside massive warehouses – Mick Mountz
TED Talk: The automation of warehouse picking and packing systems and how robots have increased productivity and efficiency. Example of worksheet Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [12:06] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
TED Talks PDF Book
15x TED Talk PDF Worksheets
1.China Firewall, 2.Warehouses, 3.Office work 4.End of world 5.Global Future 6.Incovenient Truth 7.Insist on English 8.Texting English 9.Social Progress 10.Price of Happiness 11.Philosophy of Success 12. Domestic Violence 13.Viral Videos 14.Doctors’ Prescriptions 15. Team Building
AMAZING VALUE – buy all these listening worksheets in one PDF book. Book Example.
TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
