Any excuse for a song! (Teaching grammar)

Isabelle Jones@icpjoneshttp://isabellejones.blogspot.com

Mental ChecklistMental Checklist• Why do I like this song? How does it make me feel?

• What is the general theme of the song? Is it appropriate for my class?

• Are the words clear? • Does it have any slang in it? Any link to particular themes?• Is it different? What can this lead to?• What is the image of the singer? (age/ style)

• How typically French, Spanish, Algerian, Colombian… are they/ is their music?

• How memorable is their official music video? Is it a distraction?• What structures are repeated in the chorus? • What tenses are used in the song?

Musical translation

* Compare words in the song with transcript-correct mistakes

* Compare words in the song with the translation-what has been changed? Why?

* Tense discrimination/comparison

Use cover versions of popular songs like …

En vano hoy mi corazón saltó, Pero sin preguntar, hoy te besé Un hechizo fue Amor, no lo puedo negar No me digas que sólo me alejéYo siempre te amaré Ya no mentiré, por ti escaparé Yo siempre te amaré Es como una Demolición Golpea fuerte el corazón cada muro en mi derribas hoy lo único que hiciste tu, fue destruir sólo, fue destruir Te puse en lo alto de Cielo Y ahora no bajarás Esto cambio el fuego Me quemó Cenizas quedarán No me digas que sólo me alejé Yo siempre te amaré Ya no mentiré, por ti escaparé Yo siempre te amaré

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVtL8Uv22D8

“Wrecking Ball"We clawed,

we chained our hearts in vainWe jumped never asking why

We kissed, I fell under your spell.A love no one could deny

Don't you ever say I just walked awayI will always want you

I can't live a lie, running for my lifeI will always want you

I came in like a wrecking ballI never hit so hard in love

All I wanted was to break your wallsAll you ever did was wreck me

Yeah, you, you wreck meI put you high up in the sky

And now, you're not coming downIt slowly turned, you let me burn

And now, we're ashes on the groundDon't you ever say I just walked away

I will always want youI can't live a lie, running for my life

I will always want you

AS-Popular CultureAS-Popular Culture• Introduction-from Jacques Brel to Stromae

• Ne me quitte pas/ Formidable

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk7_HY9svAw

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymodDYIYBVw • Compare themes• Compare their backgrounds, personalities and how they

convey their emotions in the video

• Compare the language used (standard/ slang)

• Study the different tenses used in song/ time frames?

• Gap for Question 9 (grammar)-type exercise: immigration/

revision of imperfect (French): Said et Mohamed, Francis Cabrel

Essential LinksEssential Links

• Karaoke!• http://www.lyricstraining.com

• Fill in the gap exercises (10%, 30% or transcription)

• All songs graded for difficulty• All authentic songs with youtube videos• Ipad/iphone app: Discovr Music

Essential LinksEssential Links

• http://chansons-fr.com/ blog with French songs-videos and lyrics• http://www.lepointdufle.net/chansons.htm Links to French videos, lyrics and activities• http://www.tv5.org/cms/chaine-francophone/Musique/p-14241-Musique.htm (for French)• http://www.musique-de-la-semaine.eu/index.html Keeping up to date with French music• http://formespa.rediris.es/canciones/ Spanish songs, videos and activities• http://platea.pntic.mec.es/cvera/hotpot/chansons/index.htm Carmen Vera (French)• http://elmundodebirch.wikispaces.com/Spanish+Music+Database Sharon Birch (Spanish)• http://www.todoele.net/canciones/Cancion_list.asp Todo ELE (Spanish)• https://www.mindmeister.com/fr/23760404/la-musique-en-france (mindmap)• http://www.profedeele.es/ (blog with resources)

Any excuse for a song! (Teaching grammar)

Isabelle Jones@icpjoneshttp://isabellejones.blogspot.com