Speaking calendar/International Jazz Day
April 30th · Music & Freedom

International Jazz Day

Established by UNESCO in 2011, International Jazz Day celebrates the history of jazz as a tool for intercultural dialogue and freedom. From the streets of New Orleans to the global stage, jazz is a genre built on improvisation and community. This lesson explores the chaos of jazz—is music better when it is planned and perfect, or when it is spontaneous and unpredictable?

SPEAKING LESSONB1 / B2Discussion · Vocabulary · Activities
01 / LET’S TALK

Speaking Discussion

  1. Why is jazz often considered the most intellectual type of music?
  2. Can you truly learn to improvise, or is it a natural talent you are born with?
  3. How does music help people from different cultures communicate without using words?
  4. Is live music always better than a perfect studio recording?
  5. What is the soundtrack of your life right now? Is it jazz, rock, or something else?
02 / PUT IT INTO PRACTICE

Activity 1: The Jazz Pitch

You are a Jazz Musician. Explain to a classical pianist why "Making Mistakes" is actually the best part of music.

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Debate

Justify your answer in 30 seconds:

  • "Music is the only universal language."
  • "Modern music has lost its soul because of computers."
  • "Jazz is too complicated for most people to enjoy."