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The Phone Box Mystery

The Phone Box Mystery

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Who is stealing England's iconic red telephone boxes? Plunge your students into the heart of a modern mystery with "The Phone Box Mystery." This audio investigation, led by two endearing young detectives, is an excellent introduction to the detective genre. Featuring red herrings, eccentric suspects, and a nighttime stakeout.

In short

CEFR level :A1+, A2

Class level :Level 2

Type :Audiobooks

Cultural themes :People & Characters, Everyday Life, Countires & Landscapes, Imagination & Legends

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Pedagogical Guide

Objective & Plot Summary

Objective: To lead students to follow an investigation, form hypotheses about suspects, and understand the resolution of a mystery in English.

Summary: Old red telephone boxes are mysteriously disappearing from a small English town. Two friends, Ryan and Ellie, lead the investigation within a local history society where every member is a potential suspect. Between red herrings and discreet eavesdropping, they will have to unmask an unexpected duo of thieves.

 

Suggested Lesson Flow

1. Before Listening (~5 min): THE MYSTERY BEGINS

  • Anticipation: Show an image of a red telephone box. "What is it? Where can you see it?".

  • Vocabulary: Introduce the investigation words: phone box, mystery, thief, suspect.

2. During Listening (~25 min): WHO ARE THE CULPRITS?

  • Segmented listening in 3 parts:

    • Part 1 (The Crime): Listen until the first phone boxes disappear. Pause: "What is the mystery? Who are the members of the history society?".

    • Part 2 (The Red Herring): Listen to the investigation into the Hardings and the discovery of the fake phone boxes. Pause: "Are the Hardings the thieves?".

    • Part 3 (The Resolution): Listen to the investigation into Miss Pendlebury and the surveillance scene at the cinema.

3. After Listening (~10-15 min): THE CASE IS SOLVED

  • Discussion: "Who were the thieves? Was Ryan's final plan a good idea? Why?".

  • Simple Task: Create a "wanted poster" for one of the thieves. Write their name and a simple sentence: "Wanted: Mr Ogden. He steals red phone boxes with a crane.".

Adaptations

  • To Simplify: Provide portraits of the history society members. After each stage of the investigation, ask students to point to the new suspect.

  • To Extend: Ask students to imagine and act out the phone conversation between Miss Pendlebury and Mr. Ogden as they plan the theft of the last phone box.



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