Music I

We all like music one way or another. We love listening to our favorite arists or groups sing our favorite songs. Sometimes these artists or groups create their own version of a song that has already been made popular by another singer.  These songs are called  'covers' or 'remakes'. Can you think of any covers you like? For example, Whitney Huston covers the song, "I will Always Love You," originally performed by Dolly Parton.   

Dolly Parton vs Whitney Houston 

I Will Always Love You

 

How did Whitney Houston change the song?  Which version do you prefer? Why?

Now we are going to play, who sang it better?

Coldplay vs. Willie Nelson

What genre of music would you use to describe this song?

The Scientist

How did Willie Nelson change Coldplay's hit?

'hit' - a successful, or popular song

Who sang it better?
 
Bob Marley vs. Scott Mathews

What genre of music would you use to describe this song?

Is This Love

How does Scott Matthews change 'Is this Love?'

 Who sang it better?

Miley Cyrus vs. Bastille

 What genre of music would you use to describe this song?

We Can't Stop

How did Bastille change Miley Cyrus's song?





Who sang it better?


Phoenix vs. Birdy

 What genre of music would you use to describe this song?

1901

How does Birdy cover the song?

Does the song mean something different to you now?


 Who sang it better?


Adele vs Go Radio

What genre of music would you use to describe this song?

Rolling in the Deep

What genre of music would you use to describe this song?

 Who sang it better?

Tegan and Sara vs. The White Stripes 

 What genre of music would you use to describe this song?

Walking with a Ghost

What genre of music would you use to describe this song?


Who sang it better?

Discussion

Do you think how an artist chooses to perform a song changes the songs meaning? (i.e. the song is less serious, more romantic, more 'danceavle')

What covers would you like to see in the future? Example: 'Here Comes the Sun' by the Beatles covered by Ellie Goulding.   

What genre changes would you like to see for a song? Example: A blues verson of Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance'

Do you associate certain genres with certain feelings? Example: pop music is more/less serious; blue is sad....

Can you think of any exceptions?

Do you prefer a song with good lyrics, a catchy tune, or a good voice? 

Can you think of a song with good lyrcis? A song with a catchy tune? Someone with a good voice? A song that has all three? What do you think is most important in the music industry today?

 

Moral Dilemmas

Moral dilemmas are thought alternatives which put you in a difficult moral situation and you must decide what you think the 'correct' course of action might be. There are no truly 'right' answers to these questions, as they often ask you to compare two different moral imperatives.  

Now you are going to watch a couple of movie trailers. What moral dilemmas are the characters facing? How to they compare and contrast?

 

The Secret Window

 

 

The Words

 

 

Do you think the characters did the 'right' thing?

 

What would you have done in the same situation?

 







Ipads, Iphones, I-bots -- Oh my!

This lesson plan is based on a combination of activities featured on the Film English website

Film English

Ipads

What do you use paper for in your daily life?

Do you have an ipad or laptap? What do you use them for in your daily life?

Are there some things that you prefer to use paper for?

What are some activites that are easier to do on your ipad/laptop?

View the following French commercial regarding paper vs. ipads:

Technology Discussion Questions

Cell/ Mobile Phones

Get into partners and explain to him/her how you use your cell phone.

Example: I use my cell phone to make calls. I use my cell phone to send text messages

Then as partners you will explain to the class what you have in common.

Example: We both use our cell phones to check our facebook accounts. Neither of us use our cell phones to take pictures.

Generally speaking, how does the class use their cell phones?

Now we are going to watch a short film called iDiots by special effects company, BLR_VFX. The short film portrays themes of technology addiction, mass consumption and planned obsolescence



How did the robots use their cell phones? How does it compare with our class discussion?

Does the film have a message?

Robots 

This next section is about Robots and how their daily use may be sooner than expected. You can find a copy of this article from Breaking News English

A scientist said robots will be more intelligent than humans by 2029. The scientist's name is Ray Kurzweil. He works for Google as Director of Engineering. He is one of the world's leading experts on artificial intelligence (A.I.). Mr Kurzweil believes computers will be able to learn from experiences, just like humans. He also thinks they will be able to tell jokes and stories, and even flirt. Kurzweil's 2029 prediction is a lot sooner than many people thought. The scientist said that in 1999, many A.I. experts said it would be hundreds of years before a computer was more intelligent than a human. He said that it would not be long before computer intelligence is one billion times more powerful than the human brain.

Mr Kurzweil joked that many years ago, people thought he was a little crazy for predicting computers would be as intelligent as humans. His thinking has stayed the same but everyone else has changed the way they think. He said: "My views are not radical any more. I've actually stayed consistent. It's the rest of the world that's changing its view." He highlighted examples of high-tech things we use, see or read about every day. These things make us believe that computers have intelligence. He said people think differently now: "Because the public has seen things like Siri [the iPhone's voice-recognition technology] where you talk to a computer; they've seen the Google self-driving cars."

Discussion Questions

1. Do you agree with this article?
2. What could be the advantages of smarter robots?
3. What could be the disadvantages of smarter robots?
4. Have your ideas about technology changed over the past 10 years?

 

Humanoid Robots by Honda

In June 2013, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. conducted a demonstration testing of their humanoid robot, ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility). The goal was to verify the robot’s ability to autonomously explain its features while interacting with people.

In this demonstration testing, ASIMO autonomously explained its own features to guests. The robot communicated interactively by asking people questions to which they respond to by a show of hands. Moreover, ASIMO recognized the reactions of groups of people by using a network of sensors. Then ASIMO autonomously determined how to explain its features based on its interpretations of people's reactions which required no sequential commands from an operator.

For the complete story, view the link below:



 Autonomous Explaining Robot

This next section features a short film by Ruairí Robinson called Blinky the film depicts themes of robots, technology, anger and hostility.

Show from 0:00 - 2:00

What are the Robots three specialties?

How does the boy feel about the robot?

Show from 5:00 - 7:25

Why is the boy so angry?

What does he ask Blinky to do?

Show from 9:15 - 10:45

What happened?

What´s the film's message?

I, Robot Trailer



Cover Letters

Cover letters are a one-page additional supplement which allows you "to cover" or explain in detail everything you couldn't express in your CV or resume. 

To get started, consider the answers to the following questions before writing your cover letter:

1. What is the title of the job for which you are applying and does it also have a reference number that you should include?
2. What is the type of job or level of the position you are seeking?
• "entry-level"
• "management"
• "senior level"
3. What skills do you possess that you are not using enough in your current role? Also what opportunities are missing in your current role? The answers to these questions will help you explain why you are interested in leaving your current position. For example, are you looking for:
• "room for advancement”
• "an opportunity to learn new skills"
4. What assets can you offer to the company? List a few in your cover letter, such as:
• "extensive experience with start-ups"
• "demonstrated ability to solve problems"
•  “ability to manage teams"
5. What will you help the company accomplish, if you get the  vacant position?
• "meet its goal of providing only the best in customer service"
• "expand its customer base and increase its revenue

One example Cover Letter is as follows:

Example Cover Letter

The Basic Outline

Your letterhead should include your full name, address, telephone number, and email address.

• Your name should be in bold 14- or 16-point font.
• Your address and other contact information should be in normal 12-point font.
• The font of your letterhead should be professional looking and easy to read. Example fonts could be Arial or Times New Roman

Write the recipient’s name and address and the date below the letterhead.

From here on out, use 12-point Arial or Times New Roman throughout the entire letter, set your margins to one inch, and use single spacing.

Address the recipient. Be sure to refer to the recipient by his or her proper title (Mrs., Mr., Dr., etc.). If you’re not sure who the recipient is, write, “To Whom It May Concern:” or “Dear Sir or Madam.”

Introduction. State your purpose in the first paragraph. Tell the employer why you are writing to them in two or three sentences. State the position for which you are applying and how you became aware of the position.

Outline your qualifications in the middle paragraph(s). Make sure to match them to the requirements of the position. Also make sure to include positive statements about yourself and your work.  

Make the closing paragraph between two to four sentences. Direct the employer to your enclosed resume and make sure you specify that you're available for an interview. Finish off by thanking the recruiter for his/her time and consideration.

Write an appropriate closing. It’s a good idea to thank the reader for his or her time. After that, write “Sincerely,” “Respectfully,” or “Regards,” leave several spaces, and type your name.

Add your signature. If you will be submitting your cover letter digitally, it’s a good idea to scan and add your signature

Tips:

1. Spell-check
2. Proofread
3. Try to avoid the passive voice
4. Avoid slang and colloquial expressions
5. Make your points clear and concise, your cover letter should not exceed one page
6. Personalize your cover letter for each position to which you are applying 

How to write a Cover Letter Video

The following information has been found on WikiHow to write a cover letter:
How to Write a Cover Letter