English through Music

ABBA: Dancing Queen

Enjoying the moment

A2–B1Approximately 31 minutesAdults

Created by Denis M., British English teacher.

01 Watch 02 Useful English 03 Quick quiz 04 Speaking

Your goal: Understand a song about dancing and describe abilities, rhythm and confidence.

Dancing, nightlife and youthful flirtation. All lessons in this batch retain the Music template’s Adults audience label.

01 · 7 minutes

Watch

Watch the complete video once without pausing. Focus on the overall meaning and mood; you do not need to catch every word.

Listen for the activity and mood at the centre of the song.

If the player cannot load or reports an error, open the video on YouTube.

Open on YouTube

ABBA – Dancing Queen (Official Music Video)

Choose one word for your first reaction. There is no correct answer.

02 · 5 minutes

Useful English

Four useful items connected with the song. Definitions and examples are original; not every item is claimed to appear in the recording.

British English vocabulary audio

Open the full MP3

Choose an item to hear its word, meaning and example.

rhythm

noun

A regular pattern of sounds or movements.

We clapped in time with the rhythm.

chance

noun

An opportunity to do something.

The party gave me a chance to meet new people.

carefree

adjective

Not feeling worried or responsible for problems at that moment.

For one afternoon, we felt completely carefree.

have the time of your life

idiom

To enjoy yourself very much.

They had the time of their lives at the music festival.

Change the possessive to match the person: I had the time of my life.

03 · 9 minutes

Quick quiz

Choose one answer for each question. Questions 1–2 focus on the song; questions 3–6 practise useful vocabulary.

Open the six-question quiz

1. What activity is at the centre of the song?

Dancing and enjoying the music.Trying to repair a broken car.Preparing for an important written exam.

2. What does the word queen suggest in the title’s context?

A person giving a formal royal speech.Someone who stands out on the dance floor.The organiser of a chess competition.

3. You clap in time with the rhythm. What are you following?

The pattern of sounds in the music.The number of people in the building.The colour of the singer’s clothes.

4. You have a chance to try a new instrument. What do you have?

A guarantee of instant expertise.An opportunity.A rule saying you must never try it.

5. A person feels carefree for an evening. How do they feel?

Unable to hear the music.Worried about every small detail.Free from worry for that time.

6. They had the time of their lives at a concert. What does this mean?

They checked their watches throughout it.They felt bored from beginning to end.They enjoyed it very much.

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · Can + base verb: ability

Say what you can do when taking part in music or a social activity.

My friend can dance, but I can keep the rhythm.

Original practice model, not a song lyric

Can is followed by the base verb without to. It stays can with every subject: I can, she can, they can. Use cannot or can’t for the negative.

Choose the correct sentence about an ability.She can follows the rhythm.She can to follow the rhythm.She can follow the rhythm.

Grammar support

A2Can and Can’t: Talking About Abilities

04 · 10 minutes

Speaking

Give your opinion and explain it. Different reactions are welcome. You may use invented examples instead of personal experiences.

Open the three speaking questions

1. What makes this song easy or difficult to dance to?

Mention the rhythm, speed or mood.

I think it is…because…

2. What can you do at a party even if you cannot dance well?

Suggest two ways to enjoy the event.

You can…, and you can…

3. Describe a real or imaginary evening when someone has the time of their life.

Say where they are and what makes it enjoyable.

They are at…, and they feel…

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