Includes communication activities, TED Talk transcripts, and a grammar summary.

"Featuring remarkable people communicating passionately and persuasively, TED Talks provide inspiring ideas and an unparalleled source of authentic language. Keynote invites learners to explore life-changing stories for a deeper understanding of the world, developing the confidence and skills needed to express themselves powerfully and proficiently in English.
Engaging and authentic TED Talks drive an integrated-skills syllabus alongside 21st century outcomes like communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.
Real-world content presented through readings, infographics, and interviews motivates learners to engage with language meaningfully.
Unique presentation sections based on best practices demonstrated by TED speakers teach transferable strategies that develop fluency, confidence, and compelling delivery." (Book Cover)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Scope and Sequence

Welcome to Keynote!

Unit 1: PASSIONS

Lesson A
VOCABULARY: Music and movie genres
LISTENING: My passion for music / Phillip Jones, musician

Lesson B LANGUAGE FOCUS

Function: Talking about likes and interests Grammar: Simple present SPEAKING: I like hip-hop a lot

Lesson C
READING: Bluegrass for a new generation

Lesson D
TED TALK: Bluegrass from New Jersey / Sleepy Man Banjo Boys
PRESENTATION SKILLS: Introducing yourself

Lesson E
COMMUNICATE: Getting to know you
WRITING: Write an email to introduce yourself

Unit 2: SPENDING HABITS

Lesson A
VOCABULARY: Things we spend money on
LISTENING: How I spend my money / Stella Hekker, student

Lesson B LANGUAGE FOCUS
Function: Talking about habits and routines
Grammar: Simple present with adverbs of frequency
SPEAKING: Take a guess

Lesson C
READING: Buy nothing new

Lesson D
TED TALK: Wearing Nothing New / Jessi Arrington
PRESENTATION SKILLS: Using effective body language

Lesson E
COMMUNICATE: Are you a green shopper?
WRITING: Writing a social media post

Unit 3: CAREER PATHS

Lesson A
VOCABULARY: Job titles
LISTENING: Interview with a TV presenter / Richard Lenton, journalist

Lesson B LANGUAGE FOCUS
Function: Asking about and describing jobs
Grammar: like vs. would like
SPEAKING: A future job

Lesson C
READING: A dancer’s dream

Lesson D
TED TALK: The Joy of Surfing in Ice-Cold Water / Chris Burkard
PRESENTATION SKILLS: Thanking the audience

Lesson E
COMMUNICATE: What’s my job?
WRITING: Writing about a dream job
Presentation 1: Introducing someone you know

Unit 4: TALENTS

Lesson A
VOCABULARY: Collocations to describe abilities
LISTENING: A unique ability / Okotanpe, contact juggler

Lesson B LANGUAGE FOCUS
Function: Describing abilities and talents
Grammar: can/can’t
SPEAKING: A talented class

Lesson C
READING: Pro gaming: A dream career?

Lesson D
TED TALK: The Orchestra in My Mouth / Tom Thum
PRESENTATION SKILLS: Introducing a topic

Lesson E
COMMUNICATE: Recommending a job
WRITING: Writing about someone with an unusual ability

Unit 5: TECHNOLOGY

Lesson A
VOCABULARY: Adjectives to describe gadgets
LISTENING: How I used drones to make an amazing video / Sam Cossman, explorer

Lesson B LANGUAGE FOCUS
Function: Describing things and how they work
Grammar: Quantifiers
SPEAKING: Wearable technology

Lesson C
READING: Flying like a bird

Lesson D
TED TALK: Fly with the Jetman / Yves Rossy
PRESENTATION SKILLS: Using gestures effectively

Lesson E
COMMUNICATE: A new app
WRITING: Writing a review of a piece of technology

Unit 6: CHALLENGES

Lesson A

VOCABULARY: Daily challenges LISTENING: It’s no big deal / Vasu Sojitra, skier

Lesson B LANGUAGE FOCUS
Function: Describing sequence
Grammar: Time clauses
SPEAKING: Dealing with exam stress

Lesson C
READING: Living without fear

Lesson D
TED TALK: How I Used Sonar to Navigate the World / Daniel Kish
PRESENTATION SKILLS: Involving your audience

Lesson E
COMMUNICATE: Dos and don’ts
WRITING: Writing about a person who overcame a challenge

Unit 7: CONFIDENCE

Lesson A
VOCABULARY: Adjectives for describing appearance and personality
LISTENING: Like mother, like daughter / Bonnie Kim, school consultant

Lesson B LANGUAGE FOCUS
Function: Describing people
Grammar: Modifying adverbs SPEAKING: A movie of your life

Lesson C
READING: Pressure to be “perfect”

Lesson D
TED TALK: Why Thinking You’re Ugly Is Bad for You / Meaghan Ramsey
PRESENTATION SKILLS: Adding support by giving statistics

Lesson E
COMMUNICATE: A class poll
WRITING: Writing about a friend

Unit 8: WILD PLACES

Lesson A
VOCABULARY: Natural places
LISTENING: An amazing place / Ross Donihue and Marty Schnure, cartographers

Lesson B LANGUAGE FOCUS
Function: Making comparisons
Grammar: Comparative and superlative adjectives
SPEAKING: What do you know?

Lesson C
READING: An otherworldly place

Lesson D
TED TALK: Unseen Footage, Untamed Nature / Karen Bass
PRESENTATION SKILLS: Showing enthusiasm

Lesson E
COMMUNICATE: A tourism poster
WRITING: Writing about a place you’d like to visit

Unit 9: ACHIEVEMENTS

Lesson A
VOCABULARY: Collocations for describing personal achievements
LISTENING: My great achievement / Scott Leefe, marathon runner

Lesson B LANGUAGE FOCUS
Function: Talking about the past
Grammar: Simple past
SPEAKING: Round-the-world adventure

Lesson C
READING: Extreme survival

Lesson D
TED TALK: Let’s Save the Last Pristine Continent / Robert Swan
PRESENTATION SKILLS: Pausing effectively

Lesson E
COMMUNICATE: An achievement
WRITING: Writing about someone who achieved something
Presentation 3 Describing an amazing place you visited

Unit 10: CREATIVE CITIES

Lesson A
VOCABULARY: Collocations for describing neighborhoods
LISTENING: The neighborhood where I grew up / Craig Albrightson, lecturer

Lesson B LANGUAGE FOCUS
Function: Offering suggestions
Grammar: should/shouldn’t
SPEAKING: The right neighborhood

Lesson C
READING: Reshaping a city

Lesson D
TED TALK: How to Revive a Neighborhood / Theaster Gates
PRESENTATION SKILLS: Paraphrasing key points

Lesson E
COMMUNICATE: Planning neighborhood improvements
WRITING: Writing suggestions for improving your town

Unit 11: PICTURE PERFECT

Lesson A
VOCABULARY: Nouns and adjectives related to photography
LISTENING: My perfect photo / Hannah Reyes, photographer

Lesson B LANGUAGE FOCUS
Function: Asking for and giving opinions
Grammar: Sense verbs
SPEAKING: Is it real?

Lesson C
READING: Unreal images of nature

Lesson D
TED TALK: Impossible Photography / Erik Johansson
PRESENTATION SKILLS: Introducing a visual

Lesson E
COMMUNICATE: Animal hybrids
WRITING: Writing about a photograph

Unit 12: HEALTHY HABITS

Lesson A
VOCABULARY: Collocations for talking about good and bad habits
LISTENING: My healthy (and unhealthy) habits / David Matijasevich, teacher

Lesson B LANGUAGE FOCUS
Function: Talking about real conditions
Grammar: Real conditionals
SPEAKING: Healthy choices

Lesson C
READING: A simple solution

Lesson D
TED TALK: The Simple Power of Handwashing / Myriam Sidibe
PRESENTATION SKILLS: Getting the audience’s attention

Lesson E
COMMUNICATE: Fact or myth?
WRITING: Writing health tips
Presentation 4: Describing an issue or challenge in your community

For English as second language learners at the high-beginners level (A1/A2 - CEFR).