In short
CEFR level :A2
Class level :Level 3
Type :Audiobooks
Cultural themes :People & Characters, Everyday Life, Countires & Landscapes, Imagination & Legends
Lexie Live! US to UK
Contest Access
From the superficiality of Los Angeles to the strictness of an English boarding school, follow Lexie's journey of self-discovery! This audiobook, presented in a diary entry format, tackles themes of culture shock, friendship, and school bullying with humor and sensitivity. "Lexie Live! US to UK" is a dynamic and highly relatable resource for teenagers, ideal for working on aural comprehension of a story rich in emotion and twists.
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Pedagogical Guide
Objective & Plot Summary
Objective: To lead students to understand a story in a "diary entry" format, identifying the evolution of a character, cultural differences (USA/UK), and the resolution of a plot.
Summary: Lexie, a popular and superficial teenager from Los Angeles, is sent to a strict British boarding school. Initially isolated and mocked, she forms a genuine friendship but finds herself wrongly accused of theft. Thanks to a surprise video, the truth comes out, allowing her to find her place and reassess her priorities.
Suggested Lesson Flow
1. Before Listening (~10 min): USA vs UK
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Brainstorming: On the board, create two columns (USA / UK) and list cultural clichés and specific features with the students (vocabulary, school, lifestyle).
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Anticipation: "Imagine you are a teen from LA. What problems can you have in a strict UK school?".
2. During Listening (~30 min): THE CULTURE CLASH
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Segmented listening in 3 acts:
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Act 1 (The Fall): Listen to the description of Lexie's life in LA and the reasons for her departure. Pause: "Why is Lexie sent to the UK? Is it a fair punishment?".
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Act 2 (Isolation): Listen to her arrival and her difficulties at Leighton, up until the theft accusations. Pause: "Who is the thief? Why are they framing Lexie?".
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Act 3 (The Resolution): Listen to the discovery of the video evidence and Lexie's rehabilitation.
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3. After Listening (~15 min): THE OUTCOME
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Discussion: "How did Lexie change during the story? Was the punishment a good thing for her in the end? Why?".
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Linguistic Task: List the US/UK vocabulary differences mentioned (
mom/mum,vacation/holiday,candy/sweets) and ask students to create a sentence with each word.
Adaptations
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To Simplify: Provide an "emotions chart" (happy, sad, angry, lonely...). At each pause, students indicate how Lexie is feeling.
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To Extend: Organize a debate: "Is it better to be 'popular' like Lexie in LA, or to have a true friend like Lily in the UK?". Students must justify their opinion.
