ELT365 · Day 177 — Using images as a pre-listening scaffold

Idea — Images activate schema and emotion before learners hear a word. A photo of the speaker, the setting, or the topic gives context that reduces the cognitive load of the first listen.

Example — Before playing an interview with a chef, show a photo of a busy restaurant kitchen. Ask: ‘What is this person’s job like?’ Two minutes of prediction; the listening becomes more manageable.

Try — Choose an image connected to your next listening text. Show it for 60 seconds. Ask two questions: ‘What do you see?’ and ‘What do you predict you will hear?’ Then play the audio.

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