ELT365 · D166 — Predicting Content: The Most Powerful Pre-Task

Idea — Prediction activates schema, sets purpose, and makes listening feel purposeful rather than passive. It is the single most effective pre-listening tool.

Example — Title only: ‘Why I stopped eating sugar for a year.’ Learners predict three things the speaker will say. After listening, they check.

Try — Give learners only a title and two key nouns from tomorrow’s recording. Collect predictions — display them. Review after listening: who was closest?

Independent project; not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.