THANK YOU

THANK YOU !!

Do you know the song "THANK YOU"
by the English singer DIDO??

We share here a Project about the song "Thank You",
carried out by one of our students.

It is an excellent example of a Good Educative Practice 

in our English Classroom at CEPA "Edrissis", Ceuta (Spain).

His author is YUSEF ABDEL-LAH MOHAMED,
a 21-year-old student of English in "Secondary Education for Adults".

(February, 2017)

On his own words...
This piece of work fulfills all the objectives foreseen
in the development of this task-based project:

"El proyecto me ha brindado la oportunidad 

de trabajar con ámbitos que me apasionan:

las nuevas tecnologías e internet, 

la música y la lengua inglesa".

                                                            YUSEF  

***

As a summary of all the online sites used.
we can observe the following Word-Cloud:

As the result of the combination of all of them,
dealing with the MUSIC in ENGLISH
and different selected tools on INTERNET,
this is the final product.

We hope you like it!!

English Project, by Yusef Abdel-Lah from CEPA EDRISSIS EDRISSIS

Justo to finish, and in case you don't know it,
 listen to the song "Thank you", by Dido
and watch her official video-clip:

***

Thank You, Yusef !!

Thank you for your enthusiasm

and sharing your project with us all!

;-)

And finally, after enjoying the project "THANK YOU" carried out by our friend, we think it is the right moment to have a look at the process of the elaboration of the Project "My Song".

Good luck!! 

and... 
Good Projects!!

*-*-*-*

BEAT A DRUM, NOT A WOMAN !!

BEAT A DRUM, 

NOT A WOMAN !!

This is a rose...

And this is... 

                  My Word-Rose for the Victims...

                                                                                    ABUSE                                                                                                                            GENITAL-MUTILATION                                                                                                               DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE                                                                                                                                   RAPE                                                                                                                                                    -                                                                                                                                                      V                                                                                                                                                 CRIME                                                                                                                                                 O                                                                                                                                                       L                                                                                                                                           MURDER                                                                                                                                                  N                                                                                                                                                      C                                                                                                                                                        E  

                                               *****

Pay attention to the previous picture:

*Can you find the words that paint a picture 

about the different types of violence against women?

*Do you notice the stem (vertical line) of the Word-Rose?

As you all know, Domestic Violence isn't the most glamorous subject for songs, but it is an important one. After all, MUSIC isn't just for entertainment. It also has the ability to deal with social topics and provide some light on vital issues.

The United Nations designates November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The premise of the day is to raise awareness of the fact that women around the world are subject to rape, domestic violence and other different forms of violence. 

To make students aware of this problem and to contribute to transmit the message of STOPPING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, we have selected 5 songs by different singers/bands, of different music styles and with different approaches to this topic.

I hope you like this post and be aware of this problem.

 Let's say together ...

STOP V.A.W. !!

STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN !!

Activity 1.- 

Matching Photos and Singer/Bands

PHOTOS

a)

b) 

c)

d) 

e) 

SINGERS/BANDS:

1. Christina Aguilera

2. The Beatles

3. Tracy Chapman

4. Eminem & Rihanna

5. Janet Jackson

Activity 2.- 

Matching the titles of the songs and Singer/Bands:

SINGERS/BANDS:

1. Christina Aguilera

2. The Beatles

3. Tracy Chapman

4. Eminem & Rihanna

5. Janet Jackson

SONGS:

A. "BEHIND THE WALL"

B.  "LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE"

C.  "RUN FOR YOUR LIFE"

D. "I'M OK"

E. "WHAT ABOUT"

Activity 3.- 

Matching the titles of the songs and their Chorus:

SONGS:

A. "BEHIND THE WALL"

B.  "LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE"

C.  "RUN FOR YOUR LIFE"

D.  "I'M OK"

E.  "WHAT ABOUT"

CHORUS:

1....

Last night I heard the screaming 

Loud voices behind the wall 

Another sleepless night for me

It won't do no good to call 

The police always come late 

If they come at all  (...)

2....

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn

But that's alright, because I like the way it hurts

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry

But that's alright, because I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie  (...)

3....

I'd rather see you dead, little girl,

Than to be with another man  (...)

4....

Once upon a time there was a girl

In her early years she had to learn

How to grow up living in a war that she called home

Never know just where to turn for shelter from the storm  (...)

5....

What about the times you lied to me

What about the times you said no one would want me

What about all the shit you've done to me  (...)

Now, Watch the videos, listen to the songs and enjoy the MUSIC...

"BEHIND THE WALL"

                                                           "LOVE THE WAY  YOU LIE" 




"RUN FOR YOUR LIFE"

         "I'M OK"

                                                                                                                       "WHAT ABOUT"

***

SELF-CORRECTION.-
You can check the lyrics of the previous songs, having a look at the following links:

A. "BEHIND THE WALL" (See LYRICS)

B.  "LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE" (See LYRICS)

C.  "RUN FOR YOUR LIFE" (See LYRICS)

D.  "I'M OK"  (See LYRICS)

E.  "WHAT ABOUT"  (See LYRICS)

                                                                               ***

Just to finish, 

Remember the red rose from the beginning and don't forget My Word-Rose.

Take care of the flower and hold its stem (Stop Violence Against Women)  

as strong as you can. And not only on this date (25th November)... 

but every day in your life !!

  

                                                                              ***

FURTHER MUSIC 
RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:

You can find a list of songs about Violence Against Women 

on the following LINK.

TRUE COLORS

Talking about colours...

How do you spell it correctly? COLOR or COLOUR?

Both of them are correct:

COLOR (American English) - COLOUR (British English)

                  By the way...

How many colours do you know?

How many colours are there in the picture?

What colour is your favourite?

Which colour is the best one? Why?

TRUE COLORS 

Listen to One Voice Children's Choir sing "TRUE COLORS".

Watch as children from the choir begin singing in pure white clothing, 

and then end the song covered in colorful powder.

The Group:

One Voice Children's Choir is a non-profit children's musical group based in the USA.

The Song:

"TRUE COLORS" is originally made by Cindy Lauper, 

but nowadays it is a song performed by Justin Timberlake.

hhhh

After Checking the lyrics of the song 

discuss its meaning

LYRICS OF "TRUE COLORS"

Pay attention to the Chorus:

(...)
But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow
(...)

What is the real meaning of the song?

"Don't be afraid to show your true colors"

1.- An incredible metaphor for what we humans can do together despite our differences.

2.- We all have our weaknesses, but we have to pay attention to our positive things.

3.- There is a diversity between the children. It shows a mixture of wonderful race -really true colors.

4.- We all rae the same, Humans. All the colors of the world in one planet.

All of them are real interpretations of the song by different people.

The song can mean something different to everyone who hears it.

***

DIFFERENT "TRUE COLORS"

Now compare different versions of the song "TRUE COLORS" 

Match the videos (different versions of the song)  with the singers:

1. Cyndi Lauper

2. Justin Timberlake & Anna Kendrick

3. Phil Collins

4. Perpetuum Jazzile

1- ...

2- ...

3- ...

4- ...

A.

B.

C.

D.

Which version do you like? Why?

GUESSING.- 

In your opinion,

a) Which version is the original one?

b) Which version is made without any musical instruments?

c) Which version is the soundtrack of the film "THE TROLLS"?

d) Which version is sang by a British singer?

***

Just to finish, 

Remember...

But I see your true colors

Shining through

I see your true colors

And that's why I love you

So don't be afraid to let them show

Your true colors

True colors are beautiful

Like a rainbow

***

"A CAPPELLA"

"A CAPPELLA"

Have you ever heard about 

VOCAL SAMPLING?

VOCAL SAMPLING is a musical group from Cuba. 

They are known for their adaptations of traditional famous songs.

The six members of Vocal Sampling sing "a cappella"

 imitating the different musical instruments used originally in such songs.

As a good example of their work,

watch (and enjoy) their version of

"HOTEL CALIFORNIA", by Eagles.

Remember they have 

No MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

They sing 

ONLY with their VOICES !!

Now you can compare that adaptation 

with the original version of that song by

EAGLES.

And you can watch the original "HOTEL CALIFORNIA" 

on the following video:

I hope you enjoy both versions ;-)

FURTHER INFORMATION.-

You can check the lyrics of HOTEL CALIFORNIA.

Leonard Cohen

Leonard danced LIFE

                                                                                                                                      Photo by EUROPAPRESS

Have you ever heard the song

"Dance Me to the End of Love"?

"Dance Me to the End of Love"

is a 1984 song by Leonard Cohen.

After listening to it, ...

Do you think it is a love song?

Probably your answer is ... YES.

However, 

let me tell you that originally it is NOT a love song!!

Do you know the real origin of this song?

Although it is considered as a LOVE SONG,

"Dance Me to the End of Love"

was in fact inspired by the HOLOCAUST.

In an interview, Cohen said of this song:

"... it's curious how songs begin because the origin of the song, every song, has a kind of grain or seed that somebody hands you or the world hands you and that's why the process is so mysterious about writing a song. But that came from just hearing or reading or that in the death camps, beside the crematoria, in certain of the death camps, a string quartet was pressed into performance while this horror was going on, those were the people whose fate was this horror also. And they would be playing classical music while their fellow prisoners were being killed and burnt. So, that music, "Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin," meaning the beauty there of being the consummation of life, the end of this existence and of the passionate element in that consummation. But, it is the same language that we use for surrender to the beloved, so that the song — it's not important that anybody knows the genesis of it, because if the language comes from that passionate resource, it will be able to embrace all passionate activity." 

LEONARD COHEN

Original Version of "Dance Me to the End of Love"

In short, 

Leonard Cohen danced LIFE to the end of love.

As simple or as complicated as that.

Rest in Peace,

 Maestro.

***

Further Information.-

You can check the LYRICS of the song 

in both languages (English & Spanish).

Ellie

Ellie Goulding

                                       Photo published at Wikipedia (English version)

Many of my students are in their 20's - like her.

Ellie Goulding is an English singer and songwriter in her late 20's.

(She is 29 years old - at the moment).

She was born in Hereford (England) in 1986, 

and she received her first Grammy Award nomination 

for "Best Solo Performance" in 2015.

As an example of her music, 

let's select "YOUR SONG"

(originally by Elton John).

Watch the following video-clip

and pay attention to the lyrics:

TASK 1:

* Listen to the song and fill in the blanks:

                                                                       "Your Song"                                                                                                                                                                             

It'..... a little bit funny, this feeling inside

I'..... not one of those who can easily hide

I don't have much money, but boy if I did

I'd buy a big house where we both could live

So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do

See I've forgotten if they'...... green or they'..... blue

Anyway the thing ..... what I really mean

Yours ..... the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

And you can tell everybody this ..... your song

It may ..... quite simple, but now that it'..... done

I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words

How wonderful life ..... now you'..... in the world

If I ..... a sculptor, but then again no

Or a girl who makes potions in a traveling show

I know it'..... not much, but it'..... the best I can do

My gift ..... my song, and this one'..... for you      

                                                                                                                   Oh [x8]

And you can tell everybody this ..... your song

It may ..... quite simple, but now that it'..... done

I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words

How wonderful life ..... now you'..... in the world

***

TASK 2:

* What do all the missing words have in common?

(Justify your answer using a chart).

SELF-CORRECTION.-

Check out your answers using the LYRICS of "Your Song".

(Web: azlyrics)

TASK 3:
* Translate the lyrics of the song into Spanish, with the help of an on-line dictionary - if necessary.

&

Compare your translation with the translation offered at the web musica.com. 

(Look for any incoherence on the mentioned website).

FURTHER INFORMATION.-

You can get more information about ELLIE GOULDING at:

in English:

Wikipedia (English version)

or in Spanish:

Wikipedia (Spanish version)

DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP !!

Welcome Back

We always have 

new objectives in our minds.

Despite the difficulties,... 

let's work hard and

let's do our best to achieve them!!

                                                                       Photo published at: http://bashny.net/t/es/18533 

Welcome to the new school year.

It's time to start again
your English classes using this blog.

Are you ready?

***

Before starting, 

It is important to have 3 ideas in mind

to face the new school year and succeed:

1.- Be prepared,

2.- Stay positive, and

3.- Work hard.

But, above all, 

remember the quotation of this month

(October, 2016):

"Whatever you do, 

no matter how hard it may be,

Don't give up the ship!" 
                                                                               (George P. McCallum)
***

Watch the video,
Listen to the song,
Pay attention to the lyrics and
complete the missing letters from the Chorus:

D_ _' _  Y _ _  G _ _ _  U _
I  W_ _ ' _  G _ _ _  U_
L _ _  M _  L _ _ _  Y _ _

Check out the following information from the previous video:

                         - SINGER: 

                         - TITLE OF THE SONG:

                         - CHORUS: 

And now,
just to finish,

let me play with the Chorus of the song

and let's change the verb of the last line!

LET ME LOVE YOU

"LET ME HELP YOU"

That will be my slogan for this new school year:

"LET ME HELP YOU...

to achieve your goals"

The blog "English@Edrissis"

and the English teacher

wish you all a successful school year.

Good Luck!!

"HELLO"

"HELLO"

Adele at Madame Tussauds (London)

Adele says "Hello" to the 1 Billion Club

According to CNN, 

the song "Hello" has reached 1 billion views on Youtube

becoming the fastest video in YouTube's history to do so. 

The music clip received its 1 billionth view in just 87 days.

Apart from Adele's "Hello",

you can watch other video clips

with more than 1 billion visits on YouTube 

in here.

Adele also says why

The song "Hello" is taken from the new album 25.

Adele introduces, on her official website, 

her new famous song ...

Hello

When I was 7, I wanted to be 8. When I was 8, I wanted to be 12. When I turned 12 I just wanted to be 18. Then after that I stopped wanting to be older. Now I’m ticking 16-24 boxes just to see if I can blag it! I feel like I’ve spent my whole life so far wishing it away. Always wishing I was older, wishing I was somewhere else, wishing I could remember and wishing I could forget too. Wishing I hadn’t ruined so many good things because I was scared or bored. Wishing I wasn’t so matter of fact all the time. Wishing I’d gotten to know my great grandmother more, and wishing I didn’t know myself so well, because it means I always know what’s going to happen in the end. Wishing I hadn’t cut my hair off, wishing I was 5’7”. Wishing I’d waited and wishing I’d hurried up as well.

My last record was a break-up record and if I had to label this one I would call it a make-up record. I’m making up with myself. Making up for lost time. Making up for everything I ever did and never did. But I haven’t got time to hold on to the crumbs of my past like I used to. What’s done is done. Turning 25 was a turning point for me, slap bang in the middle of my twenties. Teetering on the edge of being an old adolescent and a fully-fledged adult, I made the decision to go into becoming who I’m going to be forever without a removal van full of my old junk. I miss everything about my past, the good and the bad, but only because it won’t come back. When I was in it I wanted out! So typical. I’m on about being a teenager: sitting around and chatting shit, not caring about the future because it didn’t matter then like it does now. The ability to be flippant about everything and there be no consequences. Even following and breaking rules… is better than making the rules.

25 is about getting to know who I’ve become without realising. And I’m sorry it took so long, but you know, life happened.

                                 Love,

                                                        Adele

* If you are interested in the LYRICS of the song click here.

Highly Recommended.-

To get to know more about Adele's "Hello" ...

it is worth having a look at the lesson published by RealLife English.

In such a lesson you can: have a look at the lyrics of the song; 

pay attention to grammar, vocabulary and expressions, 

learning some tips to improve pronunciation 

and even take a quizz to check 

"How well you know Hello"

Have a look at RealLife English.

***

Let's keep on dancing

LET'S KEEP ON DANCING

"Let's dance

put on your red shoes

and dance the blues"

Let's dance (1983)

by David Bowie

David Bowie has died today.

Although that is sad news

let's think about all the legacy he has left us all and...

... Let's Keep on dancing !!

Let's pay tribute to him 

remembering his song

"Let's dance"

Thanks, David

Rest in Peace

Lyrics:

Let's Dance

FURTHER READING.-
In English: SKY NEWS
In Spanish: EL PAIS 
.

ORANGE THE WORLD !!

"Girls shouldn't be hit,

not even with a flower"

Do you know that...?

Today we celebrate...

the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

According to the United Nations ...

Prevention is the 2015 theme of the International Day 

for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November.

Why this International Day?

• Violence against women is a human rights violation

• Violence against women is a consequence of discrimination against women, in law and also in practice, and of persisting inequalities between men and women

• Violence against women impacts on, and impedes, progress in many areas, including poverty eradication, combating HIV/AIDS, and peace and security

• Violence against women and girls is not inevitable. Prevention is possible and essential

• Violence against women continues to be a global pandemic.

 (Source: http://www.un.org/en/events/endviolenceday) 

***

On this special occasion, 

we have selected a different video 

to make people aware about this problem in our society.

Before watching the video, can you answer the following questions?

                                                  1- What's your name?

                                                  2.- How old are you?

                                                  3.- What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?

             Now, watch the video and discover the message ...

( "Slap her"  is a video by Fanpage.it to their YouTube channel, Fanpage Media.)

What's the message?

If you need any help with your English (or with your Italian),

 you can watch the following video with Spanish subtitles:

Because...

"In the kids' world
Women don't get hit".

                                                         (Alessandro, 6 years old)

I'm against violence...

And you?

TASK.-

This post is the first one without a video with MUSIC. 

On this occasion, I would like you select the music for this post.

Write a comment with the title of the song you would select for this

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

***

Remember...

"END VIOLENCE 

AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS"

;-)