Speakout Elementary Audio Unit 1

English is not a phonetic language. You cannot guess pronunciation by looking at letters. The audio for Unit 1 teaches you that “Europe” starts with a /j/ sound (yoo-rup) and that “hour” is silent (our). By listening and repeating, you build mouth muscles.

Do not treat the audio as an isolated task. Use it in synergy with the other components:

Depending on your edition, accessing the audio has changed over the years:

| Track | Section | Script Context | Learning Objective | |-------|---------|----------------|---------------------| | 1.1 | Lead-in | Brief conversations: “Hi, I’m Maria.” “Hello, Maria. I’m Paul.” | Recognize simple introductions and respond appropriately. | | 1.2 | Listening 1 | Three short dialogues: people meeting for the first time (e.g., at a conference, in a classroom). | Identify names and basic greetings. | | 1.3 | Pronunciation – Word stress | Example words: computer, engineer, Brazil, Italian. | Hear and repeat stress patterns in nationalities and jobs. | | 1.4 | Listening 2 | Interviewer asks: “What’s your name?” “Where are you from?” with different speakers. | Extract key personal details (name, country, job). | | 1.5 | Functional language – Greetings | Formal & informal: “Good morning” vs. “Hey, how’s it going?” | Distinguish between formal and casual registers. | | 1.6 | Listening 3 (BBC Archive) | Short clips of people introducing themselves in real-life situations. | Develop confidence in understanding varied accents and speech speeds. | speakout elementary audio unit 1

Before diving into the audio specifics, it’s crucial to understand the context of Unit 1. Typically titled “Welcome” or “Hello” (depending on the edition – 1st or 2nd), this unit serves as a gentle introduction to the world of English.

The primary goals of Unit 1 are:

The audio component for this unit is not just an add-on; it is the engine that drives pronunciation, listening comprehension, and real-world speaking confidence. English is not a phonetic language

Goal: Understand teacher instructions and common classroom phrases.

What you will hear: A teacher giving instructions to a class. There may be background classroom noise.

Key phrases to listen for:

Listening Task: Number the actions in the order you hear them:

Self-Study Tip: Listen once without writing. On the second listen, do the activity. Mime the actions as you listen.