May Week Five

I could tell you all needed a break from the last two weeks of hard work practicing conditionals.  So this week, the topic was MUSIC, how music plays a role in our lives, inspires, makes us move and sing.  Some brave groups even gave the karaoke microphone a chance!

Listening:
Learners can try some episodes of 6 minute English that have to do with music: Life without music or Is music getting faster?

For original version, try digging into the archives of NPR music, there are lots of articles and listening to do over there.  One of my favorite music podcasts is Song Exploder. Check it out!

Reading:
Learners can read some articles from Breaking News English: one about the ever-amazing Prince or an article from British Council about music.

For original version, try some reading from Tiny Mix Tapes, or check out the archives from the music section of Longform.org.

Writing:
Please write in response to one of the following creative writing prompts:
What is the most beautiful piece of music you've ever listened to? Talk about how each part of the song made you feel and why it has stuck with you. Also, relate a story in which you share it with someone else and try to prove to them how great it is.
Describe your best concert experience of all time. What was the band, who did you go with, and why has it stuck with you as being so fantastic? Go into extreme detail and feel free to make use of band lyrics.Most people have a genre of music that just does not appeal to them. What is yours and why? Create a dialogue between two characters: one who loves that genre and one (like you) who hates it.
You are the lead singer in a brand-new chart topping band! How does it feel to be so famous for creating art? What is it like having so many fans and having to keep the band happy when egos begin to clash?If you could be proficient in any one instrument what would it be and why? What would you do if you had immense talent in creating music with this instrument?
Have you ever had a piece of music change your life? What specifically changed you and why? If you haven't, just create a character or a piece of music that would cause such a thing to occur.
It's hard not to associate certain pieces of music with certain people and times in your life. Write a "High Fidelity"-esque autobiographical piece about five songs that will forever be linked with particular people, for better or for worse.

Best,
Kelly