SHORT HISTORY, LONG ECHOES · A2/B1 · 50 min

The Moon Landing

The day people first walked on the Moon.

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Today: tell the story of the first Moon landing, and talk about space. Grammar: the future perfect and future continuous (will have done / will be doing).

Key words — match them first

Before we read, let's learn the important words. Match each word (1–8) to its meaning (A–H). Say your answers out loud — "I think 1 is D" — then check.

Words

  1. a rocket
  2. an astronaut
  3. the Moon
  4. to launch
  5. to land
  6. a spaceship
  7. to walk
  8. famous

Meanings

  • A. to send a rocket up into space
  • B. a person who travels in space
  • C. a vehicle that flies in space
  • D. a tall machine that flies up into space with fire and smoke
  • E. known by very many people
  • F. the big round light in the night sky that goes around the Earth
  • G. to come down safely onto the ground
  • H. to move on your feet, step by step

1 = D (a rocket) · 2 = B (an astronaut) · 3 = F (the Moon) · 4 = A (to launch)

5 = G (to land) · 6 = C (a spaceship) · 7 = H (to walk) · 8 = E (famous)

Now talk — out loud

Before we read:
  • Which words are about space? Which word means "very well known"?
  • Use three of the words to guess: what do you think happens in this story?

The story, in three parts

Read each part. Then try the questions from memory, and talk about the last one.

Part 1 — A big promise

In 1961, the American president, John F. Kennedy, made a big promise. He said that America would put a man on the Moon before 1970.

This was very difficult. No country had ever done it before. Many people did not think it was possible. But thousands of people in America started to work very hard to make the promise come true.

Quick check — answer from memory, then reveal:

1. What did President Kennedy promise in 1961?

2. Was this an easy thing to do? Why / why not?

1. He said America would put a man on the Moon before 1970.

2. No, it was very difficult. No country had done it before, and many people did not think it was possible.

Talk about it:
  • Kennedy made a very big promise. Is it a good idea to promise something difficult? Why / why not?

Part 2 — The journey to the Moon

Eight years later, in July 1969, a rocket called Apollo 11 went to the Moon. There were three astronauts: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.

On 20 July 1969, a small spaceship landed on the Moon. Armstrong and Aldrin were inside it. The third astronaut, Michael Collins, did not land on the Moon. He waited in another spaceship above the Moon.

Quick check — answer from memory, then reveal:

1. What was the name of the rocket, and how many astronauts were on it?

2. Who landed on the Moon, and who did not?

1. The rocket was called Apollo 11. There were three astronauts.

2. Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the Moon. Michael Collins did not — he waited in a spaceship above the Moon.

Talk about it:
  • Michael Collins went all the way to the Moon, but he did not walk on it. How do you think he felt?

Part 3 — The first steps, and home again

Armstrong and Aldrin walked on the Moon. When Armstrong stepped onto the Moon, he said the famous words: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." About 650 million people watched on TV.

Then the astronauts came home. They came home safely on 24 July 1969. Kennedy's promise came true.

Quick check — answer from memory, then reveal:

1. What famous words did Armstrong say? How many people watched on TV?

2. When did the astronauts come home? Did Kennedy's promise come true?

1. "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." About 650 million people watched on TV.

2. They came home safely on 24 July 1969. Yes, Kennedy's promise came true.

Talk about it:
  • 650 million people watched the same moment on TV. Why do you think it was so important to so many people?

Grammar: will have done / will be doing

We can talk about the future in two useful ways: one says an action is happening at a future time; the other says an action is finished by a future time.

will be + doing = it is happening at that time: "At nine o'clock tonight, the astronauts will be walking on the Moon."
will have + done = it is finished by that time: "By 1970, America will have put a man on the Moon."
Small words help you: use at / while for will be doing, and by for will have done.

1. will be + doing (it is happening)

These actions are happening at the time we say. Use will be + -ing.

1. At three o'clock, the rocket (fly) up into space.

2. While Armstrong and Aldrin walk on the Moon, Collins (wait) in the spaceship.

3. Tonight, millions of people (watch) the Moon landing on TV.

1. will be flying

2. will be waiting

3. will be watching

2. will have + done (it is finished)

These actions are finished by the time we say. Use will have + done. Look for the word by.

1. By 1970, America (put) a man on the Moon.

2. By the evening, the astronauts (land) on the Moon.

3. By the end of the week, the astronauts (come) home safely.

1. will have put

2. will have landed

3. will have come

Listen

There is a real podcast about the Moon landing. It is for native speakers, so it is fast and quite difficult — that is normal! You do not need to understand every word.

Your job is easy: you already know the story and the key words. So just try to catch a few things you recognise — a name, a number, or a word from today. Don't worry about the rest. This is great practice for your ears.

🎧 Short History Of… The Moon Landing (Apollo 11)

From the Noiser podcast network. Hosted by historians, roughly 50 minutes.

Listen on Spotify →
While you listen:
  • Write down three words you hear and know from today's lesson (Moon, rocket, astronaut, land…).
  • Can you hear the names Armstrong, Aldrin or Kennedy? How many times?
  • Find one new thing the podcast says, and tell me about it next time — even just one sentence.

Speak

Do all three tasks out loud. Use the timer to keep talking.

Useful language: look forward with will have done and will be doing ("By 1970, they will have landed on the Moon", "This time tomorrow, the crew will be flying to the Moon"), and some of the key words (rocket, astronaut, the Moon, launch, land, spaceship, walk, famous). To give an opinion: "I think…", "For me…", "In my opinion…".
Time remaining: 3:00
Task A · Before the launch (3 minutes)

Imagine it is launch day in 1969. Say what will happen next. Use these steps to help you: the rocket Apollo 11 launches → three astronauts fly to the Moon → the spaceship lands → Armstrong and Aldrin walk on the Moon → the famous words → home safely.

Try to use will have done / will be doing ("By next week, they will have walked on the Moon", "This time tomorrow, the crew will be flying to the Moon") and some of the key words (rocket, astronaut, launch, land, spaceship, famous).

Task B · Space (3 minutes)

Would you like to go to space? Why / why not? What do you think it is like on the Moon? Would you feel happy, afraid, or excited?

Task C · Something amazing (3 minutes)

Tell me about something amazing that humans have done. It can be anything — a building, a machine, a discovery, or something in your own country. Why is it amazing?

Not sure what to talk about? Choose one:

  • A very tall building or bridge in your country.
  • The internet, or the phone in your hand.
  • A famous invention, like the train or the plane.
  • Something amazing one person did — a big swim, climb, or trip.
  • A new medicine or machine that helps sick people.

To finish

  1. The Moon landing happened a long time ago. Do you think people will live on the Moon one day? Why / why not?
  2. Kennedy made a promise, and other people made it come true. Have you ever finished something difficult? Tell me about it.
  3. From memory: what's the difference between will have done and will be doing? Give me one example of each.