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Academic English

“Airport Announcement”

Level: Topic: Speakers: Length:
difficult plane flights one man 00:32

Pre-Listening Exercise

Airplane flights come and go at airports everyday. What kinds of public announcements would you expect to hear at an airport while waiting for your flight? Write down your ideas before beginning the listening.

Speak Up, Take a Stand! Instructions for Getting the Conversation Started

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 self-assess your progress.

  1. Airport announcements are sometimes hard to understand.
  2. Inflight announcements should be shorter and simpler.
  3. All airport announcements should be made in more than one language.
  4. It’s better to listen to flight updates on your phone than wait for announcements.
  5. Inflight safety announcements are often ignored by passengers.
  6. Too many announcements can make people feel nervous.
  7. Airport announcements should always include updates about delays.
  8. Some inflight announcements feel more like advertisements than helpful information.
  9. Flight attendants should speak slowly during safety announcements.
  10. Most travelers stop paying attention once they hear the same announcement many times.

Idioms

“hot under the collar” = get angry
Many of the passengers got really hot under the collar when they found out the plane would be delayed another two hours.”

“strike up” = begin a conversation
He struck up a conversation with another passenger and found out that they attended the same high school.”

Listening Exercise

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

Post-Listening Exercise

Have you ever had to wait for a delayed flight? What was the reason? What other reasons can you think of that would cause the flight to be delayed or cancelled? Would you be satisfied if the airline offered you a free flight to another destination for future travel if they had to cancel your current flight until the next day? Why or why not?

Try More Free Listening at Dailyesl.com