Arts & Creative Industries – B2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
You will hear a man called Marcus giving a presentation about his career as a street-dance instructor. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.
Marcus – street-dance instructor
Marcus was originally inspired to start street dancing after seeing someone perform a (9)……………………… .
Marcus and his friends eventually used a (10)……………………… as a safe place to practice their routines.
Marcus says he learned his basic moves by watching a (11)……………………… he bought cheaply.
In his first competition, a judge told Marcus that his (12)……………………… was his best quality.
Marcus’s first job in the entertainment industry was working as a (13)……………………… .
Marcus found that helping his students develop their (14)……………………… was the most satisfying part of teaching.
When opening his academy, Marcus found that arranging the (15)……………………… was the most difficult task.
Marcus chose to give his new academy the name (16)……………………… .
Marcus advises beginners to concentrate on improving their (17)……………………… before trying advanced moves.
Marcus is planning to organise a (18)……………………… for the local community next year.
ANSWER KEY
9 headspin 10 youth club 11 video cassette 12 energy
13 lighting technician 14 confidence 15 insurance
16 Urban Motion 17 footwork 18 summer festival
AUDIO SCRIPT
Marcus: Hi everyone, my name is Marcus, and I’m here to talk to you about my journey from dancing on the streets to running my own performing arts academy. It’s been quite a ride. When I was growing up, formal dance lessons in ballet or tap were out of the question because my family simply didn’t have the money. My introduction to dance came entirely from the streets. I used to hang around block parties, just watching the older kids. A lot of people assume it was the acrobatic backflips that first caught my attention, but actually, I was completely mesmerised when I saw a guy do a headspin. From that exact moment, I knew I wanted to learn how to do it.
Finding a place to practice was our first major hurdle. We obviously couldn’t afford to rent professional studio space. For a while, my friends and I would try to dance in the local shopping centre, but the security guards would always chase us away after a few minutes. Eventually, we got lucky and were allowed to use a room at the local youth club. It became our safe haven, a place where we could blast our music and practice our routines for hours on end without bothering anyone.
Learning the techniques wasn’t easy back then. Kids today have the internet to look up endless tutorials, but we had to be resourceful. I used to borrow hip-hop magazines to look at the photos, but what really taught me the foundational moves was an old video cassette that I stumbled across and bought for fifty pence at a local market. I must have paused and rewound that tape a thousand times until it practically wore out!
When I was seventeen, I decided to enter a regional street-dance competition. I had practiced a really complex routine and was hoping my technical skills would impress the judges. Honestly, though, nerves got the better of me and my technique was pretty messy. Despite that, one of the head judges pulled me aside afterwards. He told me that while my moves needed polish, my energy was what made me stand out from the rest of the competitors. That gave me the motivation to keep pushing forward.
Breaking into the professional entertainment industry was tough. I went to dozens of auditions for music videos, but kept getting rejected. I needed to pay the bills, so instead of a dancing role, I took a job as a lighting technician at a prominent local theatre. It felt like a detour, but it was actually a blessing in disguise because it meant I could sit in the wings and watch professional dancers rehearse every single day. I soaked up everything I could about stage presence and choreography.
My transition into teaching happened quite by accident. A choreographer I knew fell ill and asked me to step in and cover his beginner’s class. I was terrified, to be honest. I thought the best part of teaching would be seeing students finally nail a complex routine, but I soon realised that seeing their confidence grow week by week was far more rewarding. That was the spark that made me want to teach full-time.
Setting up my own performing arts academy was the next logical step, though it was daunting. Finding a suitable building to rent was surprisingly easy, and my friends and I spent weeks painting it ourselves to save cash. The real nightmare, which I hadn’t anticipated at all, was sorting out the insurance. It took months to finalise before we could legally open our doors.
Choosing a name for the academy was another challenge. I had a massive list of potential names. For a long time, I nearly went with ‘Street Beat’, as it sounded catchy. But then a friend suggested Urban Motion, and it just clicked immediately. It felt professional but still true to my roots. So, that’s the name painted above the door today.
People often ask me what advice I have for beginners. When new students come to my classes, everyone wants to jump straight into the flashy acrobatics and power moves. I have to slow them down. I always insist that mastering your footwork is the absolute key to becoming a versatile and successful dancer. If your base isn’t solid, the tricks won’t matter.
Looking ahead, things are as busy as ever. We’re currently putting together a theatre showcase for the winter, which is a standard annual event for our students. But my big dream, and my main project for next year, is to host a summer festival in the local park. I want to bring the whole community together to celebrate street culture, music, and dance. It’s a huge undertaking, but I can’t wait to make it happen.
Listening 2
You will hear a dance instructor called Marcus giving a talk about his career and the realities of the dance industry. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.
Marcus – dance instructor
Marcus originally hoped to build a career performing in (9)……………………… rather than classical ballet.
Marcus explains that a need for (10)……………………… prompted him to become a dance instructor.
Marcus says that dealing with the (11)……………………… is the most surprising and overwhelming part of his job.
According to Marcus, new dancers fail to realise that (12)……………………… is the most crucial factor for success.
Marcus feels particularly frustrated when he sees a lack of (13)……………………… in his students.
Marcus mentions that paying for (14)……………………… is the largest financial drain on his business.
Marcus was disappointed to receive only a (15)……………………… from a student he had helped extensively.
Watching his students gain (16)……………………… is the most rewarding part of Marcus’s work.
Marcus relies on (17)……………………… to help him relax and manage the pressures of his job.
Marcus is currently writing a (18)……………………… aimed at supporting new dance teachers.
ANSWER KEY
9 musicals 10 stability 11 paperwork 12 discipline
13 commitment 14 studio rent 15 text message
16 confidence 17 gardening 18 handbook
AUDIO SCRIPT
Marcus: Hello, my name’s Marcus, and I’m a professional dance instructor. Today I want to share some insights into the reality of working in the creative arts, specifically the dance industry. When I first started out as a young dancer, I had big dreams. A lot of my peers were aiming to join prestigious classical ballet companies. While I respected that, my heart was completely set on performing in musicals. I spent the first few years of my career auditioning for various stage productions in London.
Eventually, I decided to transition into teaching. Many people assume that professional dancers only open schools when they are forced to retire due to a severe injury. Thankfully, I managed to avoid any serious physical setbacks. For me, it was really a craving for stability that made me hang up my performance shoes and open my own studio. I wanted a regular income and a permanent home.
Running a dance school is incredibly demanding. Most folks assume that the physical exhaustion is what drains you the most. You’re on your feet all day, demonstrating moves. However, I actually find the paperwork to be the most overwhelming aspect of the job. Managing invoices, tax returns, and class schedules late at night is what truly tires me out.
When new students join my school, they often arrive with heads full of dreams, expecting a world of pure glamour and instant fame. I always have to give them a reality check and gently explain that discipline is what will actually determine how far they go. Talent is great, but turning up on time and working hard is essential.
Teaching can be an emotional rollercoaster. I pour my heart into choreographing routines and designing lesson plans. What really hurts is when that dedication goes unappreciated. I don’t mind when parents complain about the rising cost of dance shoes, but what deeply frustrates me is encountering a lack of commitment from the young dancers themselves. When they skip rehearsals without a good reason, it feels like a slap in the face.
There are significant financial pressures, too. The costs of running a business are steep. You might guess that advertising to attract new students is my biggest expense. In reality, covering the studio rent eats up the vast majority of my monthly income. It’s a constant worry to ensure the classes are full enough to pay for the space.
Sometimes, the lack of gratitude can be quite direct. Just last month, I spent weeks doing unpaid, one-on-one sessions with a student to help her prepare for a major audition. I wasn’t expecting an expensive gift, but instead of a proper thank-you, I just received a brief text message letting me know she had decided to drop out of dance entirely. That was a tough pill to swallow.
So, why do I keep doing it? Well, it’s definitely not about the prestige of watching my teams win regional trophies. The true reward is witnessing the sudden confidence that blossoms in a shy child after they finally master a complex routine. Seeing them stand a little taller makes all the stress worthwhile.
To cope with the pressures of the industry, I knew I needed a reliable way to unwind. I tried joining a gym, but I found the environment far too loud and frantic. Lately, I’ve discovered that gardening gives me the perfect sense of peace and quiet. Nurturing plants helps me completely recharge my batteries.
Looking ahead, I have no intention of expanding my business to open a second branch. I prefer to keep things manageable. Instead, I am dedicating my free time to writing a handbook that will offer advice to young instructors. I want to help them navigate the challenges of this beautiful but demanding profession.