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Main Street USA

Main Street USA

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What if your online avatar became more famous than you? "Main Street USA" is a resolutely modern audio story about bullying, self-confidence, and the power of music in the digital age. Students will follow Humphrey, a talented but insecure high school student who becomes a web star under a false identity. This narrative, which echoes the daily lives of teenagers, is an ideal medium for addressing strong themes while working on aural comprehension.

In short

CEFR level :A2

Class level :Level 3

Type :Audiobooks

Cultural themes :People & Characters, Everyday Life, Countires & Landscapes, Imagination & Legends

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Pedagogical Guide

Objective & Plot Summary

Objective: To lead students to follow the psychological evolution of a character, to understand the themes of **identity** (real vs. virtual) and **bullying** in the context of an American high school.

Summary: Humphrey, a talented but bullied high school student, invents a musician alter ego online, "**Mac**," who becomes a web star. When his secret is discovered by the singer of his high school band, he must face his fears. With her help, he transforms his virtual identity into real success and earns everyone's respect.

Suggested Lesson Flow

1. Before Listening (~5 min): AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL

  • **Brainstorming:** Discuss American high school vocabulary: **high school**, **football team**, **cheerleaders**, **Homecoming Dance**, **nerd**, **popular**.

  • **Anticipation:** "What is an **avatar**? Why do people create avatars online?".

2. During Listening (~30 min): FROM NERD TO STAR

  • **Segmented listening in 3 parts:**

    • **Part 1 (The "Loser"):** Listen to the description of Humphrey's life and the creation of Mac. **Pause:** "Why is Humphrey unhappy? Why does he create Mac?".

    • **Part 2 (The Star):** Listen to the viral success of Mac's song and the reaction at school. **Pause:** "What is the problem now for Humphrey?".

    • **Part 3 (The Revelation):** Listen to Nina's discovery of his secret and his transformation leading up to the final concert.

3. After Listening (~15 min): REAL LIFE

  • **Discussion:** "Is it easier to be 'cool' online than in real life? Why? What helped Humphrey to become confident?".

  • **Creative Task:** Ask students to create their own musician **avatar**. They give it a name and choose its style of music in one sentence (e.g., "My avatar is 'DJ Shadow'. He plays electronic music.").

Adaptations

  • **To Simplify:** Provide a list of characters (Humphrey, Joe, Nina, Mac). During listening, students tick adjectives to describe each one (e.g., Humphrey: sad, musical; Joe: popular, mean; Mac: cool, famous).

  • **To Extend:** Organize a **debate**: "Should Humphrey have kept his identity secret? What are the pros and cons of having an online persona?".



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