Help your C1 students write thoughtful music reviews and express balanced opinions with this engaging ESL lesson.

Built around an adapted review of Tame Impala’s Dracula, originally published by Modern Music Analysis, this lesson develops students’ ability to analyse music, evaluate artistic work, and write well-structured reviews using sophisticated language.

Students begin by listening to the song before reading the review for gist and specific details. They explore useful language for praising, criticising, and expressing balanced opinions, then apply it through guided writing practice and communicative speaking activities centred on music and the role of critics.

In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss music, reviews, and the role of critics

• Learn language for praising, criticising, and expressing balanced opinions

• Read and analyse an authentic-style music review

• Write their own structured music review

Perfect for C1 adult and teenage learners, this ready-to-teach lesson requires minimal preparation and helps students develop advanced reading, writing, and speaking skills through authentic materials and a topic that inspires lively discussion.