Do you Know Why 789?

Another funny song by The Barenaked Ladies for a moment of silliness in class. Although it's a kids song, the language (and singing speed) is best suited to B1+ students.

Useful language:

Minding his business 2 + 2 makes 4

make do without something live without something

Setting the Scene.

Play the first 34 seconds, then show slide 2 to introduce the idea (that 7 ate 9).

789 HighImpactEnglish.pptx

Listening for Gist.

Explain that the song will force us to confront a world without the number 9. Ask students to listen for how our lives would be different and play the rest of the song.

Show slide 3 (see picture) - can students remember what was said about these things? (repeat as appropriate).

Listening for Detail.

(Optional)

Go through slides 4-6, students try to guess the missing words, then listen to check. (click on the speaker in the top right corner to hear the relevant section.)