Listen&Learn: Harriet Tubman

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock

A woman who led hundreds of people to freedom.

Pre-listening vocabulary

activist: a person who stands up for a certain cause
slavery: a situation where a person owns another person
network: an organized group or system
illegal: not allowed by law
mission: a journey to complete a task
abolish: to end something

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:20 — 1.2MB)

Gapfill exercise

Harriet Tubman was an American activist who helped to free hundreds of people from slavery. She was born into slavery herself around 1820, and she in 1849. A network of people called the Underground Railroad helped Tubman make the journey to the North, where slavery was illegal. However, once Tubman gained her , she decided that she wanted to help other people gain theirs. She began to work with the Underground Railroad. Her job was to rescue enslaved people and bring them to the North, where they could freely. She went on many missions over eight years. When the American Civil War began in 1861, Tubman joined the army to work as a . She eventually got to lead a raid in South Carolina that freed hundreds of enslaved people. Even after slavery was abolished in the United States, Tubman continued to fight for the rights of Black Americans and women. She died in 1913, at about 90 years old.

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”20174″]

Discussion/essay questions

In the United States and Canada, February is Black History Month. Tubman’s story is often taught in schools during this time. Why is it so important to learn stories like hers?
Can you think of some other people in history who fought for human rights?

Transcript

Harriet Tubman was an American activist who helped to free hundreds of people from slavery. She was born into slavery herself around 1820, and she escaped in 1849. A network of people called the Underground Railroad helped Tubman make the journey to the North, where slavery was illegal. However, once Tubman gained her freedom, she decided that she wanted to help other people gain theirs. She began to work with the Underground Railroad. Her job was to rescue enslaved people and bring them to the North, where they could live freely. She went on many missions over eight years. When the American Civil War began in 1861, Tubman joined the army to work as a nurse. She eventually got to lead a raid in South Carolina that freed hundreds of enslaved people. Even after slavery was abolished in the United States, Tubman continued to fight for the rights of Black Americans and women. She died in 1913, at about 90 years old.

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub

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18 comments

English Club Indonesia says:

From Tubman’s story, we can learn that every race and ethnicity have the same rights and freedom. This bears a resemblance to Nelson Mandela’s story, where he fought for years for his people’s rights, even though he was jailed for some years. However, he was eventually freed and became the president of South Africa.
Manazhi Kumaran Moosad, Bsc, MCA. says:

This description of a very Illustrious life inspires me even in the evening of my life. People like her should flower all around the Globe every day!!. Often injustice inspires more correct reactions than the docile just atmosphere does. Lincoln summarized the feeling of inspiration that drew him to his undue share of the bullet-he announced the reason for his dislike to be a master- inbuilt into many strong minds nearly like his own in matters of the basic capability-that distinguishing reason for him being the helplessness of the slave which he didn’t eschew! He went one step more, and fought with mind and body for a Nation, where Freedom cannot be undone!
Diop says:

Thanks for the lesson, very interesting history of a black strong woman, even she came back to the harsh South to freed her own family and as many as slaves she could. Also, it´s important to say that she will be the central figure in the 100 dollar bill, that is a high recognition in this globalized world, but sadly with a lot of racism and inequality inside states and their politics.
indika says:

fun and education event. I like it
saif says:

It is an easy way to learn English, honestly, I have understand the English through this web.
The King Of Love From IRAN says:

Thank you for sharing it with us,
Mahdy Ali says:

I found it very fruitful and easy to be absorbed .
Thank you very much.
Will says:

I liked this lesson. It had all the components of a good lesson: audio, script, fill-in the blank, and multiple choice.
Antoni says:

This article is a great history. Make english learning so fun, easy and motivated us.
Caridadgomo says:

A hard story.
Caridadgomo says:

This story is really hard,but it is necessary for everyone to know it.
Damayanthi says:

Women right is my subject, thanks, very important lesson.
Larisa says:

It’s really vital to learn stories like this one. They help everyone learn more about the struggle of the black people for freedom and human rights.
The black people enjoy equal rights with the white people, and it’s great that many stories narrate about their struggle.
Such fighters for freedom and civil rights of the black people as Martin Luther King, John Brown, Angela Davis contributed a lot to a noble movement of liberation of the black people
Ariana Vieira says:

It is very important to learn about American History, because learning about the past, you can understand the present. The human rights is a constantly fight for the ones who doesn’t understand the freedom.
Martha says:

Learing history as well as English! nice!
Amadou says:

Very satisfied. I am currently teaching and this listening lesson is inspiring. It was very impressive going from the pre-teaching vocabulary to the listening task then a comprehension activity and a discussion. It will help me design my listening lessons. Thank you again.
Fereweini says:

It was a preparation where I learned some very important lessons.
zewdu says:

it is a fun and education event.
I Love it.