"An attempt to integrate the teaching of the English language & ICT, using MUSIC as a mere pretext."


Sunday, January 30, 2011

PEACE DAY


"We must be the change we wish to see"
                                           Gandhi

SCHOOL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE AND PEACE
DÍA ESCOLAR DE LA PAZ Y LA NO VIOLENCIA

The “School Day of Non-violence and Peace” is an initiative of Non-violent and Pacifying Education, which is now practised in schools all over the world and in which centres of education, teachers and students of all levels and from all countries are invited to take part.

It advocates a permanent education in and for harmony, tolerance, solidarity, respect for human rights, non-violence and peace.

It is observed on January 30 or thereabouts every year, on the anniversary of the death of Mahatma Gandhi.

Its basic message is:

           “Universal Love, Non-violence and Peace.             
                                         Universal Love is better than egoism,                                        
   Non-violence is better than violence,  
 and Peace is better than war”.

READING TASK: Answer the following Question Words about the previous text:    
1.- WHAT?, 2.- WHERE?, 3.- WHICH?, 4.- WHAT FOR?, 5.- WHEN? & 6.- WHY?

Why don't we celebrate the School Peace Day with a famous song?
We refer to the Classic "Imagine", by John Lennon


LISTENING TASKJUMBLED "IMAGINE'S"

*Watch & Listen to "Imagine", by John Lennon and ...
Put the (6) sentences starting with "Imagine" into the correct order:

a) Imagine there's no countries
b) Imagine all the people sharing all the world...
c) Imagine no possessions
d) Imagine all the people living for today...
e) Imagine there's no heaven
f) Imagine all the people living in peace...
                                                                              

                    "Imagine" (Lyrics)
1……………………………………………………………………………..
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
2……………………………………………………………………………..

3…………………………………………………………………………..                                                   It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
4………………………………………………………………………….

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

5……………………………………………………………………….       
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
6………………………………………………………………………
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
               SELF-CORRECTION:
You can check your answers at: http://www.lyrics.com/imagine-lyrics-john-lennon.html 
               * * *

                        Spanish Version of the song:
¿Quieres saber ahora qué dice la canción exactamente en español? ¡Adelante!
Para ello, antes de visionar el siguiente video, te sugiero que cojas lápiz y papel, y te invito a que corrijas y anotes todos los fallos que aparecen en la traducción al español. ¿Cuántos fallos encuentras?

Si necesitas ayuda, échale un vistazo al DRAE
( Diccionario de la Real Academia Española): http://www.rae.es/rae.html 

CUIDADO:
Contiene muchas incorrecciones. Material altamente contagioso.



* Valga esta actividad de"Find the mistakes", a la española, para mostrar que NO todo lo que está en Internet es válido / correcto. ¡Sé selectivo! ¡Saldrás ganando!

* * *

Let's finish this post on PEACE with some Quotations by famous people.
Pay attention to the next video and Select the Quotation you like most.



Just to finish, Remember only one thing!

"Imagine all the people living in peace ...
                                   John Lennon
... 24 hours a day - 7 days a week!
Let's try it! We can!
                                   Jesús Canca

Words of Gratitude:
In the spirit of giving thanks, feeling gratitude and staying in the mood of appreciation, I'd like to thank the journalist Rafael Delgado for so magnificently summing up the philosophy of this blog in an article published on the local newspaper "El Faro de Ceuta" (thursday, 27th January).

Nota de Agradecimiento:
El periódico local "El Faro de Ceuta" se hace eco del presente blog en un fantástico artículo publicado el pasado jueves 27 de enero de 2011, escrito por el periodista Rafael Delgado.

You can read the article here:                                                           http://www.elfarodigital.es/ceuta/cultura/35073-learning-con-los-beatles.html
Simply,
A Nice Surprise!
Thank you!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Robert Burns ("Auld Lang Syne")

Robert Burns
Scotland's favourite son 


    My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
    My heart’s in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer;
    Chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
    My heart’s in the Highlands, wherever I go.
                                         Robert Burns  (1759-1796)
Burns Night is traditionally celebrated every year on January 25th, and marks the birthday of the famous 18th century Scottish poet Robert Burns, author of many popular Scots poems including "Auld Lang Syne" and "A Red, Red Rose".

Burns Night celebrations typically include poetry recitation, bagpipe music, singing, traditional ceilidh dancing, whisky drinking, and a dinner based on haggis (a dish containing the sheep's heart, liver and lungs).

The Burns Supper is an institution of Scottish life and is very much a night to celebrate the life and works of the national Poet. Burns suppers may be formal or informal, depending on the club, society, or people planning them, but they are always entertaining. The only items held in common by all Burns suppers are haggis, Scotch whisky and a poem or two.

Today is the 252nd anniversary of the poet’s birth.

Tonight is Burns Night 2011, a night to celebrate the life and works of the national poet.

Around the world Scots will be celebrating by toasting the poet in good single-malt whisky, then eating of the haggis, and then drinking lots more whisky in an effort to forget the haggis...

The importance of Burns Night

Burns Night is effectively a second national day in Scotland celebrated on 25 January with “Burns Suppers” around the world, and is recognised as well as St.Andrew's Day (the Patron Saint of Scotland).

In fact, Burns is best known of the poets who have written in the Scot's language and collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them.

His poem (and song) “Auld Lang Syne” is often sung at Hogmanay (the last day of the year).

“Auld Lang Syne”

Antigua canción tradicional escocesa compuesta por Robert Burns, el poeta escocés más popular, nacido en el siglo XVIII. Escrito en el dialecto de la alta Escocia.

Se canta después de las campanadas de fin de año en todos los países de habla inglesa. Además, siempre se canta en momentos emotivos y cuando alguien se va. Generalmente se considera una canción de despedidas. De hecho, este poema se canta tradicionalmente en los países angloparlantes como himno de despedida.

La traducción no puede ser literal. “Auld Lang Syne” se traduciría del escocés al inglés como "Old long since", es decir, como hace mucho tiempo; aunque en español quedaría mejor una traducción del tipo “Por los viejos tiempos”.

 * * * * *

Here you are a virtual movie of Robert Burns reading “Auld Lang Syne”:

    (Letra en versión original)


Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
well take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
well take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
 * * * * *
As you can see, this old Scottish poem/song has been adapted in many different ways.
Have a look at the following examples and enjoy the different versions of the song!

Example 1.-
... Performed on traditional Scottish bagpipes.

Enjoy some shots of Scotland!


Example 2.-
... Performed by the soprano Sissel,
"The Golden Voice of Norway".

Enjoy a phenomenal voice!


Example 3.-
... Performed by the disco group Bonye M
(with Spanish subtitles).

Enjoy the rhythm!


Example 4.-
... In the film "Waterloo Bridge"
(with English subtitles).

Enjoy the film!



"When Scotland forgets Burns, then history will forget Scotland"
J.S. Blackie

                                                         Let's drink a toast to Robert Burns!
                                                                                           
                                                                                           Cheers,
                                                                                            Jesús

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Beatlemania


Don't panic after reading the previous post !!
Not all my students like either Shakira or Nick Jonas.
Others like something completely different...

The students who are "young at heart",
and thinks that "Body gets old while spirit stays young",
like a different type of music.

           Some of my "not-so-young students" like ...  

 The Beatles were an English pop and rock band, formed in Liverpool, considered as the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed in popular music of all times.

Read more about The Beatles at:



Talking about The Beatles and its music...
Have a look at the following words/expressions:

HOME - REMEMBER - AWAY - ALL MY LOVING - TOMORROW - EYES

One of them is a famous song by the Beatles. Which one is it?

Watch the next video and check your answer:

TASK .- Fill in the blanks using the previous words:

          Close your ______ and I'll kiss you
          ______ I'll miss you
          ______ I'll always be true
          And then while I'm ______
          I'll write ______ every day
          And I'll send ______ to you


 SELF-CORRECTION.-
Check your answers at:
http://www.lyrics.com/all-my-loving-lyrics-the-beatles.html

If your English is not very good,
Don't worry and be happy!
But, please, keep on trying....!

Watch and Listen to "Los Manolos" singing their version of the same song:



If you still want to improve your "All My Loving",
You can practice with this Karaoke:
                                                              Enjoy it!!



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.-
If you are interested in getting to know more about

there is a website you must visit:
 The Beatles Videos on the web

... After that you will be an expert on The Beatles.

* * * * *

A PIECE OF ADVICE

If you ever


go to

Liverpool


an you love

.

Don't forget visiting 2 interesting places:
a Pub & a Museum.

                                        The Cavern Pub

                                        The Beatles Museum

                                                           Cheers,
                                                          Jesús

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

What's your favourite song?

My Students' Likes (in general):

My (male) students like Shakira and her song "Waka Waka" (This Time for Africa) ...
My (female) students like Nick Jonas and his song "Introducing me"...

Which one do you like most?
and
What's your favourite song?

Please, Listen to both songs previously mentioned and complete the EASY TASKS assigned:

TASK 1.- JUMBLED WORDS
Watch & Listen to "Waka Waka"(This Time for Africa), by Shakira
and Put the WORDS into the correct order: (Lines 1-10)

Line 1:    soldier / a / You're / good
Line 2:    battles / your / Choosing
Line 3:    up / Pick / yourself
Line 4:    dust / yourself / off / And
Line 5:    back / And / the / saddle / in

Line 6:    frontline / the / You're / on /
Line 7:    watching / Everyone's
Line 8:    it's / Know / You / serious
Line 9:    getting / We're / closer
Line 10:   isn't / over / This


TASK 2.- JUMBLED LINES
Watch & Listen to "Introducing me", by Nick Jonas
and Put the LINES into the correct order: (Lines 1-11)

Line __ : I eat cheese
Line __ : I'm good at wasting time
Line __ : And sometimes on a home-made quesadilla
Line __ : And I love it when you say my name
Line __ : But I'm trying to grow a moustache
Line __ : When the moon looks like a toenail
Line __ : And you are not asking
Line __ : And I really like it
Line __ : Otherwise it smells like feet to me
Line __ : I think lyrics need to rhyme
Line __ : But only on pizza please


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UILg-PIt_l0

SELF-CORRECTION.-
PS. You can check your answers using the website
http://www.lyrics.com

* "Waka Waka"(This Time for Africa), by Shakira:
http://www.lyrics.com/waka-waka-this-time-for-africa-lyrics-shakira.html

* "Introducing me", by Nick Jonas:
http://www.lyrics.com/introducing-me-lyrics-nick-jonas.html 

Monday, January 17, 2011

"Hey" …, Do you Know this Song?

Watch this video-clip by Paul McCartney and other various singers at Royal Albert Hall:

 


                       Do you know:
a- the "original" title of this song? (Different from "Hey Jude").
b- the name of the famous pop and rock band from Liverpool (England) that sang this song?
c- Apart from Paul McCartney, How many famous singers can you identify in the video?     Who are they?

For Further information.-

Have a look at the lyrics of the song at:
Inspiration & Writing: Read about the origin of the song at:
Listen to the Original version of the song (sung by The Beatles) at:
Just to finish, try to sing it aloud. Otherwise, if you don’t feel confident enough, “mouth” the words or simply sit back and listen now to this different version of this Beatles’ song. Enjoy it!


PS. Answers to the previous questions:  a- "Hey Jules" /b- Beatles /c- Elton John, Phil Collins, Sting, Eric Clapton & Mark Knopfler.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year


I wish you all
a Happy 2011


... and have a healthy,
safe & productive
New Year !!

                                                                                                                          Cheers,
                                                                                                                            Jesús