Jul 28, 2012

Before Sunset: 3rd Conditional



This excellent activity was provided by Vera Babat, from Uruguay. Here are a few words she provided us with about herself. Thanks for your contribution.
Our institute's web is www.infusionenglish.edu.uy

I'm a psychologist with 12 years experience teaching teenagers and young adults. I love preparing lessons using authentic materials.
Love films that make students think as it's a great chance to think critically on certain issues.



Before Sunset | starring Ethan Hawk /Julie Delpy
Just listen to the Waltz and write the lyrics down. Don’t freak, it’s not that difficult. What do you think the situation is?

Now complete the lyrics with your notes and listen again in case you’ve missed anything. Then, compare your version with the subtitles! Finally you can enjoy the image!




Let me sing you a waltz
________ _____ ____________ , ______ _____ ______ _____________
Let me sing you a waltz
About this _______-______ ____________
You were, for me, that night
Everything I _____________ ______ ______ ____ ___________
But now you're gone
You are _____________ gone
_________ _______ ________ to your island of rain
It was for you just a one night thing
But you were much more to me, ___________ _____ _____ __________
I don't care what they say
I know _________ ______ _______ _____ _______ that day
I just want another try, I just want another night
Even if it ____________ __________ _
_______ ___________
You meant for me __________ ___________ ____________ anyone I’ve met before.
One single night with you, little Jesse, is ___________ ____ __________ __________ __________________
I have no bitterness, my sweet
I'll never forget this one night thing
Even tomorrow ______ ___________ ___________,
my heart ________ __________ _______
_____ ___________ ____ ______
Let me sing you a waltz, Out of nowhere, out of my blues... Let me sing you a waltz ... About this lovely one night stand

Let’s see who they are. Discuss: what do you think would have happened if they had both gone to Vienna that December?

Watch this scene on a boat; write down the sentences in which they discuss how different their lives would have been.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Now, make at least four sentences on your own. Consider these points
* her grandmother
* not exchanging phone numbers
* she not showing up in Vienna
* his book
* his wife getting pregnant
* the way he thought about responsibilities
getting down of the car
to the deli on his wedding day
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Predict the ending. What do you think might happen? What would you do if you were them?
Watch the ending. Describe briefly the plot, its style and your personal opinion on the movie.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This is the sequel of “Before Sunrise”. Read this extract of the review on the movie “Before Sunset” written by Peter Travers for Rolling Stone Magazine.


In 1995's Before Sunrise, Jesse (Ethan Hawke), an American traveling in Europe, had one night of sex and conversation in Vienna with Celine (Julie Delpy), the French beauty he met on a train. To some, the film was meandering and talky. To others (me included), the film was bliss, a rebel experiment by the two actors and director Richard Linklater (Slacker, School of Rock) to create life as it happens -- screw the Hollywood gloss.
Before Sunset picks up nine years later. Jesse, now a best-selling author, is giving a reading at a bookstore in Paris. Celine, now an environmental activist, walks in. The conversation continues for ninety minutes, in real time, before Jesse must catch a plane home to his wife and son. Linklater follows the lovers -- who had promised to reunite in Vienna in six months and never did -- from cafe to park to boat to Celine's apartment. Those who hungered to see more of these two will be mesmerized. There is something uniquely unforgettab
le in the way Linklater, Hawke and Delpy (equal collaborators on the script) find nuance, art and eroticism in words, spoken and unspoken. The actors shine. Hawke is funny and touching as Jesse describes the harsh truths of his seeming success. Delpy likewise shows the toll of diminished expectations on the still-luminous Celine. But in each other's presence, the two rediscover a frisky youthfulness. Delpy scores a tour de force as Celine re-creates a Nina Simone concert that leaves Jesse entranced. You will be, too. Before Sunset casts a spell only a fool would want to break.
(Posted: Jun 16, 2004)


Now, based on your short description and on the review, write for homework a review on the movie for a magazine. If you need further help, you can rent this movie as well as “Before Sunrise” and watch them with subtitles in English!

You can also visit this website for a good review on this movie and also to learn more on how it was shot. Visit: http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/spring2004/features/paris_day.php
Good luck!


TEACHER’S

Before Sunset (starring Ethan Hawk / Julie Delpy)
AIM: IF CLAUSES, MODALS AND MODALS PERFECT. + FILM REVIEWS AND LISTENING.

SHOW FROM 1:08:30 TILL 1:12:55
PUT THE SUBTITLES OFF!

DON’T GIVE THEM THE WORKSHEET YET.

Just listen to the Waltz and write the lyrics down. Don’t freak, it’s not that difficult.
Now complete the lyrics with your notes and listen again in case you missed anything.
Compare your version with the subtitles!

Let me sing you a waltz
Out of nowhere, out of my thoughts
Let me sing you a waltz
About this one night stand
You were, for me, that night
Everything I always dreamt of in life
But now you're gone
You are far gone
All the way to your island of rain
It was for you just a one night thing
But you were much more to me, just so you know
I don't care what they say
I know what you meant for me that day
I just want another try, I just want another night
Even if it doesn't seem quite right
You meant for me much more than anyone I've met before
One single night with you, little Jesse, is worth a thousand with anybody
I have no bitterness, my sweet
I'll never forget this one night thing
Even tomorrow in other arms, my heart will stay yours until I die
Let me sing you a waltz
Out of nowhere, out of my blues
Let me sing you a waltz
About this lovely one night stand

WHY DO YOU THINK SHE MIGHT HAVE WRITTEN THAT SONG FOR HIM?
Let’s see what the situation is. PLAY FROM 0:1:40 TILL 0:12:35

ELICIT ALL KINDS OF SENTENCES USING IF CLAUSES.
WOULD YOU HAVE GONE? DO YOU THINK SHE WOULD HAVE GONE TO VIENNA IF IT HADN’T BEEN FOR HER GRANDMA’S DEATH? WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED?

WRITE QUESTIONS AND THEIR SENTENCES ON BOARD.
Let’s see what they think about what their lives would have been like if they had met each other in Vienna that December. Take notes on what they say!

WATCH FROM 0:46:24 TILL 0:53:17

Now, make at least four sentences on your own. Consider these points
* her grandmother
* not exchanging phone numbers
* she not showing up in Vienna
* his book
* his wife getting pregnant
* the way he thought about responsibilities
* getting down of the car to the deli on his wedding day

WRITE THEM ON BOARD. ANALYZE STRUCTURE AND DISCUSS IF CLAUSES.

Watch the ending. WATCH FROM 1:12:55 TILL 1:16:37. What do you think might happen? What would you do if you were them? Describe briefly the plot, its style and your personal opinion on the movie.

WHAT DO YOU CALL A PIECE OF WRITING ABOUT A MOVIE THAT IS PUBLISHED ON A MAGAZINE? DISCUSS MAIN CHARACTERISTICS, LAYOUT, REGISTER, ETC.

Read this extract of the review on the movie “Before Sunset” written by Peter Travers for Rolling Stone Magazine

In 1995's Before Sunrise, Jesse (Ethan Hawke), an American traveling in Europe, had one night of sex and conversation in Vienna with Celine (Julie Delpy), the French beauty he met on a train. To some, the film was meandering and talky. To others (me included), the film was bliss, a rebel experiment by the two actors and director Richard Linklater (Slacker, School of Rock) to create life as it happens -- screw the Hollywood gloss.
Before Sunset picks up nine years later. Jesse, now a best-selling author, is giving a reading at a bookstore in Paris. Celine, now an environmental activist, walks in. The conversation continues for ninety minutes, in real time, before Jesse must catch a plane home to his wife and son. Linklater follows the lovers -- who had promised to reunite in Vienna in six months and never did -- from cafe to park to boat to Celine's apartment. Those who hungered to see more of these two will be mesmerized. There is something uniquely unforgettable in the way Linklater, Hawke and Delpy (equal collaborators on the script) find nuance, art and eroticism in words, spoken and unspoken. The actors shine. Hawke is funny and touching as Jesse describes the harsh truths of his seeming success. Delpy likewise shows the toll of diminished expectations on the still-luminous Celine. But in each other's presence, the two rediscover a frisky youthfulness. Delpy scores a tour de force as Celine re-creates a Nina Simone concert that leaves Jesse entranced. You will be, too. Before Sunset casts a spell only a fool would want to break.

(Posted: Jun 16, 2004)
READ AND COMMENT.

Now, based on your short description and on the review, write for homework a review on the movie for a magazine. If you need further help, you can rent this movie as well as “Before Sunrise” and watch it with subtitles in English!

For advanced students: e-mail this link: http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/spring2004/features/paris_day.php for a more in-depth review and interview on this movie.

The Purple Rose of Cairo: Reported Speech

This is one of my all-times favorite. This scene is great to practice reported speech.




Watch the segment and check who says these lines in.


T - Tom

R - Rita

C - Cecilia



1. ( ) I was in an Egyptian Tomb

2. ( ) I'll wait for that glass at the Copacabana

3. ( ) It's nothing, I'll be OK.

4. ( ) Draw my bath.

5. ( ) I can't wait to get out of these clothes.

6. ( ) I am very impressed.

7. ( ) You've been here all day.

8. ( ) This is the fifth time you're seeing this.

9. ( ) Come here quickly

10. ( ) Who are you?

11. ( ) I'm free.

12. ( ) What's going on?


Now rewrite the sentences above, using reported speech:

Example:

1. Tom said (that) he was in an Egyptian tomb.

2...........................................
3..........................................
4..........................................
5..........................................

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO



Answer key: 1. T 2. T 3. R 4. R 5. R 6. T 7. T 8. T 9. R 10. T and C 11. T 12. C



2. ( T ) Tom said he would wait for that glass at the Copacabana.

3. ( R ) Rita said it was nothing, She would be OK.

4. ( R ) Rita told the maid to draw her bath.

5. ( R ) Rita said she couldn't wait to get out of those clothes.

6. ( T ) Tom said he was very impressed.

7. ( T ) Tom said she had been there all day.

8. ( T ) Tom said that was the fifth time she was seeing that.

9. ( R ) Rita told Tom to come there quickly

10. ( T and C) Tom (Cecilia) asked Cecilia (Tom) who she (he) was?

11. ( T ) Tom said he was free.


12. ( C ) Cecilia asked what was going on.

Jul 21, 2012

Greenberg: Simple Past x Past Continuous

Although this movie is not a master piece, it has great moments and the story is appealing. Stiller has one of his best dramatic roles in his career, though. I used this beautiful scene to practice contrasting the use of the simple past x past continuous.



I. Watch the movie segment and then fill in the blanks with the simple past or the past continuous form of the verbs in parentheses:









1. When Roger _________ (enter) the bar, Florence ________ (sing) a song in the bar.


2. Roger ________ (listen) to Florence singing when Gina _________ (order) four beers.


3. Gina ___________ (introduce) herself while she ____________ (wait) for the bartender to bring beer.


4. They ___________ (talk) to each other when Gina _________ (invite) him to sit with her friends.


5. Florence ___________ (talk) to with her friends when she _________ (wave) to Roger.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - GREENBERG

Answer key:

1. entered / was singing
2. was listening / ordered
3. introduced / was waiting
4. were talking / invited
5. was talking / waved

Jul 14, 2012

Lilo & Stitch: Past Modals for Regrets

This animated movie reminds us the way old cartoons were made, but it is a very nice, funny one. The idea and plot are very appealing as well. I liked it very much. I used this scene to reinforce past modals for regrets in a contextualized manner.






A. Lilo is a little girl that is raised by her older sister, Nani. For Lilo not to be taken away to a social institution, her sister has to convince the social worker, Mr. Bubbles, that she has been doing a good job nurturing Lilo. Watch the movie segment and check the items you believe did NOT help Lilo and her sister live together.








1. ( ) Lilo didn't open the door for Nani or the social worker.

2. ( ) Nani left Lilo home alone.

3. ( ) Nani left the stove on when she was out.

4. ( ) Lilo said she got disciplined.

5. ( ) Lilo was reading a book about voodoo.

6. ( ) Lilo said her friends needed to be punished.

7. ( ) Lilo didn't wait for Nani at school.

B. Now rewrite the sentences you have checked in the previous exercise, using past modals for regrets Should (not) have + past participle or Ought (not) to have + past participle.


1. Ex: Lilo ought to (should) have opened the door for Nani and Mr. Bubbles.


2. ..................................................................


3. ..................................................................


4. .................................................................


5. .................................................................


6. .................................................................


7. ..................................................................


B. Discuss the following questions:




1. Should under aged people raise a young child all by herself? Explain it.



2. What should happen to Lilo?



3. What should happen to Nani?



4. What is best for Lilo? To stay with Nani or go to a social institution? Explain it.


WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - LILO & STITCH

Answer Key:


A.


2. Nani shouldn't have left Lilo home alone.
3. Nani shouldn't have left the stove on when she was out.
4. Lilo oughtn't to have said she got disciplined.
5. Lilo shouldn't have been reading a book about voodoo.
6. Lilo shouldn't have said her friends needed to be punished.
7. Lilo ought to have waited for Nani at school.

Jul 7, 2012

Duplicity: Simple Past



I love this segment because I used it to teach grammar kinesthetically. I hope you like this daring activity.


A. Watch the movie segment. Then work in small groups. Think about the story that took place before the scene. Write a short paragraph (or sentences) in the past tense saying what happened before their fight in the airport.











B. Now write down the dialog that you imagine they had at the airport, the scene of the movie segment. Use the simple past tense.


C. Role-play (or read) your dialog to the class.


D. Have a narrator say what happened after the scene. Use the simple past tense.


E. Vote for the best performance.



MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - DUPLICITY


This activity does not require a worksheet.