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To
see the materials used in the plan
Word
download
Preliminary information
Time: 60-75 minutes??
Level: Intermediate upwards
Aims:
To give extensive & intensive reading & listening
practice.
To give freer speaking practice
See each stage for possibilities of language practice
aims.
Assumptions:
That the stds will be interested in the theme
of music - The Clash being part of the history of
popular music.
That the stds will not find the different texts too
difficult.
Anticipated Problems and Solutions:
Some students might not find the topic interesting.
Could relate music & styles it to stds' own country.
Language - have a look through the materials.
Aids:
• Colourful pictures of groups & musicians
of different types - classical >> punk
• Quotes from fans taken from 'From Here To Eternity'
cover by The Clash
• Obituary of Joe Strummer from the Financial
Times, 24.12.02
• Song lyrics - The Clash
To
see the materials used in the plan
Procedure
Stage 1 - Intro to
theme of music & punk
10 mins tch<>stds,
std<>std, tch<>stds
1. Put up the pictures
on the board & stds write down all the different
kinds of music that the pics represent. If you have
it, you could play different kinds of music &
the stds match it to the pictures.
2. Feedback - elicit the types & get a discussion
going about their likes/dislikes, why some musicians
are popular & other not so, fashion & musical
change, etc...
you could carry on with The Clash song - see stage
5
Stage 2 - Intro to
The Clash
10 mins tch<>stds,
std<>std, tch<>stds
1. Elicit if anyone
knows anything of The Clash - if someone does, then
let them tell the others.
2. Tell the stds that The Clash are considered one
of the best 'punk' bands & elicit what they might
have been like - family background, songs etc..
3. Give out the fans' quotes & elicit reactions
- could get into a discussion on concerts & their
best & why.
Stage 3 - Reading
- Joe Strummer's obituary from the Financial Times
10 mins tch<>stds,
std<>std, tch<>stds
1. Handout obituary
- give extensive task & time limit of 2 minutes
- task: anything they find surprising about Joe Strummer
or The Clash - stress the time limit.
2. Read.
3. Feedback.
4. Give out comprehension questions, if needed - stds
answer.
5. Stds compare in pairs.
6.Feedback - could develop a response to the text
here & begin a discussion about points in the
text.
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A few comprehension
questions
1. What kind of background
did Joe Strummer come from?
2. What jobs had he done?
3. What inspired him to form
The Clash?
4. What were some of the themes
of The Clash's songs?
5. Why were they different
form other punk bands?
6. Why were they criticised?
7. What did Joe Strummer do
after The Clash?
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Stage 4 - Language
focus
???
mins
It is quite a meaty
text & there are lots of things you could pick
upon:
• the lexical field
of music, music & politics
• descriptive adjectives - Joe & the music
• an analysis of the genre - obituaries - analyse
how it begins with a summary of greatest achievements,
on to growing up, then the history behind his fame,
then the recent history & finishing with mention
of his family. Could compare with how obituaries are
written in stds' own countries.
• the language & devices used to contrast
information - from the first paragraph where his privileged
family background is contrasted with his punk band,
to the Sex Pistols contrast - 'But here was...', etc...The
whole text is based on contrasts.
Stage 5 - Song -
London Calling - listening for pleasure
10 mins tch<>stds,
std<>std, tch<>stds
(Of course, It doesn't
necessarily have to be London Calling - any comprehensible
Clash song will do - choose to suit)
1. Elicit again the
type of music that The Clash played.
2. Play the song for pleasure - do they like it &
what is it about?
3. Stds compare in pairs.
4. Feedback.
5. Handout the lyrics to read & listen at the
same time. (Anything but a gap fill of the lyrics!!!!)
6. Could give some comprehension questions >>
stds compare >> feedback.
7. Discussion of the lyrics >> poss. write another
verse - or their own punk/protest song.
Stage 6 - Follow
up activities
10 mins tch<>stds,
std<>std, tch<>stds
• Interview with
Joe Strummer.
• Writing imaginary obituaries
- using the analysis of the genre, stds think of a
famous musician & from memory write an obituary.
Clearly this will be limited but encourage them to
make up parts of the person's life that they are unsure
about. If you don't feel it's not too guruesome, they
could write their own obituaries & be imaginative
with own or partner's life.
• Discussion/debate about state of popular music
& related points eg. popular music should be used
for change, pop stars are paid too much etc.
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