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listening-task-builder

Build listening lessons and tasks from audio or video transcripts: checks speech rate (words per minute), length, number of speakers and plays against the CEFR level, suggests pause points with approximate timestamps, and stages the lesson (lead-in, pre-teach, gist, specific information and detail tasks set before each play, pair checks, inference, transcript work, language focus, response). Includes task types by sub-skill, rules for writing listening questions, accent variety and recording choice, and bottom-up decoding activities for weak forms, linking, elision, assimilation, contractions and chunks (micro-dictation, word counting, shadowing). Use when a teacher has a recording or video to exploit, needs listening comprehension questions, or wants to know if a recording suits a level.

Languages, Linguistics & Translation / Language Teachingv1.0.0Updated OCT 25 20262 references1 script

A listening lesson succeeds when the recording suits the level (or the task is graded to it), each task is set before learners listen, and some time goes on decoding connected speech. scripts/transcript_stats.py checks speed, length and speakers for a level and suggests pause points.

Trigger Conditions

Activate this skill when the user:

  • Has a recording, podcast or video clip to use in class
  • Needs listening comprehension questions or a listening lesson plan
  • Asks whether a recording is too fast or too long for a class
  • Wants activities for learners who "can't understand native speakers"

Real-world clips: authentic-material-lesson-adapter. Writing a script to record: dialogue-for-classroom-writer.

Workflow

text
1. MEASURE  -> python scripts/transcript_stats.py transcript.txt --duration 2:10 --level B1 --segments 3
2. DECIDE   -> suitable / extract / pause between segments / gist-only task
3. TASKS    -> gist -> specific information / detail -> inference (references/listening-lesson-stages.md)
4. ORDER    -> questions follow the recording; short answers; space between answers
5. DECODE   -> 5-10 min bottom-up work on one section (references/decoding-activities.md)
6. RESPOND  -> speaking or writing using the content
7. KEY      -> answers with timestamps

No transcript? Ask for one, or transcribe the relevant extract first; tasks written without the exact words often have answers that are not actually in the recording.

Output

Stage table with plays and pair checks, task sheet (gist, detail, inference) with instructions, the decoding activity on a chosen extract, the response task, and the answer key with timestamps.

Scripts

bash
python scripts/transcript_stats.py transcript.txt --duration 2:10 [--level B1] [--segments 3]

Duration in seconds or m:ss. "Name:" at the start of a line marks a speaker turn. Exit codes: 0 suitable for the level, 1 too fast, too long or too many speakers, 2 read error or bad duration.

Additional Resources

FileContent
listening-lesson-stages.mdStages, plays by level, task types by sub-skill, question rules, speed bands, choosing recordings, answer keys
decoding-activities.mdConnected speech features with examples, decoding activities, strategies, using transcripts
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