If you’re learning English or teaching beginner students, this daily routine listening activity will help build essential vocabulary and improve listening comprehension skills. In this lesson, you’ll hear a short story about a woman’s typical day, from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night. The video guides you step-by-step: first, listen to the story, then review useful daily routine phrases, and finally test your understanding with comprehension questions. This activity is ideal for ESL/EFL classes, self-study, or online tutoring.

How to Use This Daily Routine Listening Activity in Class

To get the most from this activity, follow these steps:

Watch the video once without pausing
Play the full story from start to finish. At this stage, don’t worry if students don’t understand every word. The goal is to get the general idea of the woman’s daily routine.
Review the vocabulary
In the next section of the video, introduce the key words and phrases. Have students listen and repeat each one to practice pronunciation and reinforce meaning.
Listen again with new understanding
Now that students know the vocabulary, play the story a second time. They’ll recognize more details and feel more confident following along.
Test comprehension
The video will replay short sections followed by listening comprehension questions such as, “How does Emily get to work?” or “What does Emily do after breakfast?” Encourage students to answer in complete sentences.
Listen one final time.
By this stage, students have heard the story, learned the key phrases, and answered comprehension questions. Listen to the story once more, and you’ll be surprised how much more they understand now.
Practice speaking about daily routines.
After the video, have students talk about their own daily routines using the new vocabulary. This can be done in pairs, small groups, or as a writing exercise.

Teacher Tip: Extend this lesson using these related resources.

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