Kara, our American teaching assistant, spoke about working conditions in the US the other day in class. Here we have an interesting podcast about people who skip work and how Britain has the highest number of false sick days in Europe. Listen to it and answer: Which European country pulls the fewest sickies? Is it Latvia, Austria or Denmark?
A great music band we can listen to nowadays is Black Eyed Peas. They achieved success in 2009 through constant innovation. They didn't follow contemporary trends in music, they created their own. They found a way to mix hip-hop with the rhythms and beats of house, electro and techno music and turned it into pop music.
They have many hit singles such as: I Gotta Feeling, Shut Up, Pump It or Let's Get It Started.
Today I want to show you the music video of Don't Phunk With My Heart.
As you already know musicians sometimes invent new slang words just for fun.
Kara Simmons showed you in class a very funny presentation about slang, so you can get an idea of what it's like using slang. If you missed it (because you played hooky) you can still view the presentation on the following link:
Do you remember the other day in class we were talking about musicians and their riders? A rider is a specific request made by musicians in their contracts.
Check out this one by Barbara Streisand about security during shows.
“This tour requires metal detectors at all entrance doors, including backstage and all employee entrances. These must be actively controlled throughout the entirety of show day and the performance. Also, there will need to be a thorough inspection of the facility by a police
K9 prior to sound check."
Here's what you have to do:
Surf the Internet and find an interesting rider to share with your classmates. Write it in a comment!
Alicia Keys is one of those singers who can sing with such an amizing voice! She was born and bred in New York's Hell's Kitchen. She started studying music when she was seven. She was discovered by a manager at the age of fourteen and then she performed anywhere and everywhere from tiny clubs to street corners. She finally debuted in 2003. Her eclectic education and early life lessons inspired her musical hybrid of soul, hip-hop, jazz and classical.
There are many songs I like by Alicia Keys such as "Try sleeping with a broken heart", "Love is my disease" or "Doesn't it mean anything".
However, I want to show you her song Empire State of Mind, which she sings with Jay-Z, since the music video is really awesome, full of New York images!
You can check the lyrics on this doc (the rapper part is very difficult), but don't miss the video!
I was lucky enough to visit this wonderful city last summer and I must say I loved it. It's pretty much what you see in films. However, being there was absolutely amazing, especially seeing the lights at night.
If you're planning on visiting New York, I know a blog which can help you with your visit http://www.la5thconbleeckerst.com/ (It's in Spanish, I'm afraid).
which is used to referred to a person who only likes particular things or a person who is hard to please, especially talking about trivial things. In this way a "picky eater" would be someone who doesn't like many things and a "picky customer" would be a difficult customer.
Our Spanish equivalent would be 'quisquilloso' or 'maniatico'.
Example:
I have a very picky cat which only eats a particular brand of food.
In this new year I want to talk to you about my favourite singer of all times: Bryan Adams. In fact, he's the reason I'm here today teaching English through this blog. Let me explain. When I was a teenager I wanted to learn English in order to understand his songs, and look at me today, here I am, an English teacher, thanks to him!
There are many songs I love from this singer. I can mention for example When you're Gone, Have you Ever Really Loved a Woman, All for Love, The Best of Me, Please Forgive Me, Cloud Number Nine, among many others.
The following video features Heaven, a very romantic song.
I saw him in concert in the Odyssey Arena (Belfast) in 2005 and I must confess it was an incredible experience. He was great, amazing, really involved with the audience. He continued singing after saying goodbye for a couple of times, just because the audience kept asking him for songs. I've been to many concerts, but none like this one. He's just a real artist!
If you had to choose only one singer, which one would it be?
I know, I know, English pronunciation is difficult! That's why you have to spend time listening to good examples and practising your pronunciation. As you already know, everyday in class I try to teach you how to pronounce words, especially exceptions, common mistakes, vowels...
If you think you have a bad English pronunciaton, watch this video to cheer you up!
A band I've recently discovered is Russian Red, a Spanish artist who sings her songs in English with an exceptional voice. She started performing in small clubs in Madrid and quickly moved to theaters and clubs all around the world. Awards like "best album debut 2008", "best female voice 2009" or her 3 nominations to the national music awards certified her success.
She has a very relaxing style, which is perfect after the holidays. I enjoy listening to her while I'm doing other things, such as working. Besides, I like all her songs since they are very similar to each other.
I haven't found a video with the lyrics, so check them on this link: Lyrics
Do you have a music band you listen to while you do other things?
A catchy song is one you easily remember.
A catchy idea is a very attractive or appealing one.
A catchy question is a trickyor difficult question.
This word obviously derives from the verb "to catch" and so it means easily retained (caught) in the memory, tending to catch the interest or attention (attractive, appealing), or a question which catches you because it's tricky or difficult.
Examples:
The new slogan isn't as catchy as the old one.
The chorus of that song is so catchy. I can't get it out of my mind.
Now it's your turn. Write a comment with an example.
