ENGLISH SONG: WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is a popular secular 16th century English carol from West Country of England. It is one of the few traditional holiday carols that makes mention of the New Year's celebration. In the days of Olde England, groups of travelling singers would entertain for food or pay. These groups were called "waits" and were extremely popular at Christmastime. We Wish You a Merry Christmas is one of these old tunes.

We wish you a Merry Christmas History has its roots in England. However the author and the composer of the song still remains unknown to the whole world. Therefore the date of the publication of the song is not known. This song We wish you a Merry Christmas actually reflects the Christmas tradition of showering gifts on the people who wandered from house to house, singing these Christmas songs to please the wealthy people of the community.

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring
To you and your king;
we come here to tell you
that countdown began.

Good tidings we bring
To you and your king;
We hope you find friendship
And days full of fun.

ALPHABET

ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION

SOUNDS OF ENGLISH

Here you can learn about English Pronunciation. This section of the site is divided into several sections. Please click on the one you are interested in.
How to pronounce specific sounds in English.
English word stress.
Pronunciation exercises and activities.
Accessibility: Information about the sounds of English is provided in text, audio, and graphic formats.

BOOKS TO READ

FIVE CANTERBURY TALES by Geoffrey Chaucer

The year is 1386 and the first flowers of spring are here. A number of pilgrims are going to Canterbury to visit the tomb of Saint Thomas Becket, and they all tell stories on the way.Who should be the stronger in a marriage - the husband or the wife? And what happens when two men fall in love with the same woman? In these five stories from Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales we find different answers to these questions from the Knight, the Wife of Bath, the Clerk of Oxford, the Merchant, and the Franklin.

MACBETH by William Shakespeare

A dark, rainy day in Scotland, long ago. Returning from battle, Macbeth and his friend Banquo meet three witches. Macbeth, the king! they say, but Macbeth is not a king, he is just a simple soldier. Macbeth and Banquo cannot forget the witches' words. Soon Macbeth is king, but his wife walks in her sleep at night, and dreams of blood. What lies in the future for Banquo? And how many people must die before Scotland finds peace once more?

BRITISH LIFE AND CULTURE

What images are associated with England?

England is one of the countries that make up Great Britain. Each country has its own famous places, people and objects associated with them.
Many images associated with England are found on souvenirs. Most commonly depicted are the flag of England (St George's Cross), Royal Guardsmen, Double Deck Buses, Red Post Boxes, Telephone Kiosks, The Royal Family, Buckingham Palace, Houses Of Parliament, St Paul's Cathedral, Policemen, The London Eye, Pub Signs and Tea.

Get more information in this link http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/symbols.html

ENGLISH SONG: Alejandro Sanz & Alicia Keys- Looking for Paradise

Artists: Alejandro Sanz & Alicia Keys
Tittle: Looking for Paradise

Everybody say oh oh oh oh

Driving in a fast car
Trying to get somewhere
Don´t know where I´m going
But i gotta get there

A veces me siento perdido
Inquieto, solo y confundido
Entonces me ato a las estrellas
Y al mundo entero le doy vueltas

I’m singing for somebody like you
Sorta like me baby
Yo canto para alguien como tú
Pon la oreja, nena
Oh oh oh oh

Estoy buscando ese momento
La música, que cuando llega
Me llena con su sentimiento
Con sentimiento, vida llena

Walking down the sideway
Looking for innocence
Trying to find my way
Trying to make some sense

Yo canto para alguien como tú
Sólo como tú, baby
I’m singing for somebody like you
What about you

I’m singing for someone
Someone like you
Tú, dime a quién le cantas
‘Cause there’s something about you there
Speaks to my heart
Speaks to my soul

I’m singing for someone
Sorta like you
Yo canto para alguien
Someone like you, someone like me
Sólo como tú, oh, my sister
Todo el mundo va buscando ese lugar
Looking for paradise
Oh oh oh oh

A ese corazón herido
La música le da sentido
Te damos con la voz tus alas
Le damos a tus pies camino

Oh is anybody out there
Feel like I feel
Trying to find a better way
So we can heal

I’m singing for somebody like you
Sorta like me, baby
Yo canto para alguien como tú
Sólo como tú
What about you?

Yo canto para ti
I’m singing for someone
Yo canto para alguien
‘Cause there’s something about you there
Speaks to my heart
Speaks to my soul

I’m singing for someone
I’m singing
Sorta like you

Yo canto para alguien
Someone like you, someone like me

Sólo como tú, oh, my sister
Todo el mundo va buscando ese lugar
Looking for paradise
Oh oh oh oh

ENGLISH SONG: I'M YOURS - Jason Mraz

Artist: Jason Mraz
Tittle: I’m yours

Well you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
Now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
And nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some

I won't hesitate no more, no more

It cannot wait, I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me

Open up your plans and damn you're free

Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love

Listen to the music of the moment babay sing with me

I love peace for melody

And It's our God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love loved

So I won't hesitate no more, no more

It cannot wait I'm sure

There's no need to complicate

Our time is short

This is our fate, I'm yours

Scooch on over closer dear

And I will nibble your ear

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror

And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer

But my breath fogged up the glass

And so I drew a new face and laughed

I guess what I'm be saying is there ain't no better reason

To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons

It's what we aim to do

Our name is our virtue

But I won't hesitate no more, no more

It cannot wait I'm sure

Well open up your mind and see like me

Open up your plans and damn you're free

Look into your heart and you'll find that the sky is yours

Please don't, please don't, please don't

There's no need to complicate

Cause our time is short

This oh this this is out fate, I'm yours!

Watch the video and sing! Jason Mraz - I'm Yours [Official song]

INTERACTIVE PHONEMIC CHART

Listen and practice with the interactive phonemic chart.
This excellent tool can be played full-screen and gives clear audio examples of the English phoneme set.Note: The chart may take a couple of minutes to appear the first time you visit this page. Please be patient - it's worth the wait!

Click on this link to view the chart in full screen
http://www.onestopenglish.com/section_flash.asp?catid=60030&docid=156649

ENGLISH SONG: Leona Lewis. Better in time

Artist: Leona Lewis

Song: Better in time

It's been the longest Summer without you,

I didn't know where to turn to.

See, somehow I can't forget you,

After all that we've been through.

Going, coming... thought I heard a knock

Who's there? No one

Thinking that I deserve it

Now I realize that I really didn't,

Nooo

If you didn't notice, boy,

you mean everything.

Quickly I'm learningto love again,

All I know isI'm gon' be okayBaby...

[Chorus:] Thought I couldn't live without you

It's gonna hurt when it heals too, ooh yeah

(It'll all get better in time)

And even though I really love you,

I'm gonna smile cause I deserve to

It'll all get better in timeI couldn't turn on the TV,

Without something there to remind me

Was it all that easy?

To just put aside your feelings.

If I'm dreaming,

don't wanna lie,

Hurt my feelings

But that's the path I believe in,

And I know that time will heal it

If you didn't notice,

well You mean everything.

Quickly I'm learning to love again,

All I know is I'm gon' be okay

[Chorus:] Thought I couldn't live without you

It's gonna hurt when it heals too, ooh yeah

(It'll all get better in time)

And even though I really love you,

I'm gonna smile cause I deserve to, ooooooh

It'll all get better in time

Since there's no more you and me (no more you and me)

It's time I let you go so I can be free

And live my life how it should be.

(No no no no no no)

No matter how hard it is,

I'll be fine without you, Yes I will.

[Chorus:] Thought I couldn't live without you

It's gonna hurt when it heals too ohhhh

It'll all get better in time ooooh

And even though I really love you

I'm gonna smile cause I deserve to (yes I do)

It'll all get better in time, woah

WATCH THE VIDEO AND SING! Leona Lewis - Better In Time Subtitulado en

ENGLISH SONGS: Matt Wertz. It's 5:19

Artist: Matt Wertz
Tittle: It's 5:19

I'd be lying throught my teeth if I told you
That I'm ok
July came, I thought I had it all together
Until you said"I need some space"
Truth be told
It's so hard to wait
One eye on the clock
And one on the phone
It's 5:19....I'm feeling alone
If I could talk to you
I'd want you to know
I'm holding loose
But ain't letting go.

We both know that I could think myself dizzy
Right now I'm spinning around
You said, "baby, don't worry"
But I just miss you right now
I said, I miss you right now
One eye on the clock
And one on the phone
It's 5:19....I'm feeling alone
If I could talk to you
I'd want you to know
I'm holding loose
But ain't letting go.
Baby, take all the time you need
I just want you to know
I'll be here, waiting
With one eye on the clock
And one on the phoneIt's 5:19....
I'm feeling alone
If I could talk to you
I'd want you to know
I'm holding loose
But ain't letting go.(x2)ooooo....
Ain't letting go

WATCH THE VIDEO AND SING! Matt Wertz - 5:19 (acoustic)

ENGLISH SONGS: Elvis Presley. Always on my mind

Artist: Elvis Presley
Tittle: ALWAYS ON MY MIND

Maybe I didn't treat you

Quite as good as I should have

Maybe I didn't love you

Quite as often as I could have

Little things I should have said and done

I just never took the time

You were always on my mind

You were always on my mind

Maybe I didn't hold you

All those lonely, lonely times

And I guess I never told you

I'm so happy that you're mine

If I make you feel second best

Girl,I'm sorry I was blind

You were always on my mind

You were always on my mind

Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn't died

Give me, give me one more chance

To keep you satisfied, satisfied

Little things I should have said and done

I just never took the time

You were always on my mind

You were always on my mind

You were always on my mind

Maybe I didn't treat you

Quite as good as I should have

Maybe I didn't love you

Quite as often as I could have

Maybe I didn't hold you

All those lonely, lonely times

And I guess I never told you

I'm so happy that you're mine

WATCH VIDEO AND SING! Elvis Presley-Always On My Mind with lyrics

ENGLISH SONGS: Elvis Presley. Can't help falling in love.

Artist: Elvis Presley
Tittle: CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE

Wise men say only fools rush in

but I can't help falling in love with you

Shall I staywould it be a sin

If I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows

surely to the sea

Darling so it goes

some things are meant to be

take my hand, take my whole life too

for I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows

surely to the sea

Darling so it goes

somethings are meant to be

take my hand, take my whole life too

for I can't help falling in love with you

for I can't help falling in love with you

WATCH VIDEO AND SING! Elvis Presley- Can't Help Falling in Love (With...

ENGLISH SONGS: The Beatles. Nowhere man

Artist: The Beatles
Tittle: NOWHERE MAN

He's a real nowhere man
Sitting in his nowhere land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody

Doesn't have a point of view
Knows not where he's going to
Isn't he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere Man, please listen
You don't know what you're missing
Nowhere Man, the world is at your command

He's as blind as he can be
Just sees what he wants to see
Nowhere Man can you see me at all?

Nowhere Man, don't worry
Take your time, don't hurry
Leave it all till somebody else lends you a hand

Doesn't have a point of view
Knows not where he's going to
Isn't he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere Man, please listen
You don't know what you're missing
Nowhere Man, the world is at your command

He's a real Nowhere Man
Sitting in his nowhere land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody

WATCH VIDEO AND SING! The Beatles- Nowhere Man with lyrics

ENGLISH SONGS: The Beatles. Let it be

Artist: The Beatles
Tittle: LET IT BE

When I find myself in times of trouble,

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom,

let it be

And in my hour of darknessshe

is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom,

let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the broken hearted people

living in the world agree

There will be an answer,

let it be

For though they may be parted,there is still a chance that they will seeT

here will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the night is cloudy

there is still a light that shines on me

Shine until tomorrow, let it be

I wake up to the sound of music,

Mother Mary comforts me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be

There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

WATCH VIDEO AND SING! Let It Be- Beatles + lyrics

The Mamas & The Papas. Biography

The Mamas & The Papas. Biography
The Mamas & The papasMembers: John Phillips (b. 1935), Michelle Phillips (b. 1944), Dennis Doherty a.k.a Denny (b. 1941), and Ellen Naomi Cohen a.k.a Cass Elliot (b. 1941-d. 1974)

The Mamas and the Papas burst onto the American pop charts in early 1966 with a 'Flower Power' anthem, "California Dreamin".

But by 1968, after a number one album and single and countless top ten hits, it was all over.Here's a brief biography on them.It all started in 1961 when John Phillips, who was in a folk band called The Journeymen, met Michelle Gilliam, an aspiring model. They soon fell in love.

While the Journeymen were on tour, John met a rich tenor named Denny Doherty. Later, Doherty would leave his group "The Halifax Three", and hook up with Cass Elliot. The two of them became life-long friends.Meanwhile, John divorced his wife, and he and Michelle moved to New York City, where EVERYONE in the folk scene hung out.

They joined up with Denny and Marshall Brickman and formed "The New Joureymen".

In 1964, Denny introduced them to Cass. In 1965, John, Michelle and Denny, in true "hippie" form, decided to leave New York for a while and went to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Cass, who wanted to be "more than friends" with Denny soon followed.In St. Thomas, they lounged around on the sand, smoked pot, swam, and perfected their harmonies while John worked on some songs.Cass wasn't yet a part of the group because John didn't know if she could sing high enough.

Success came fast for them. Their first single "California Dreamin" broke in the top 10 in early 1966. Many top 10 hits soon followed.The Summer of Love really began with the "Monterey Pop FestivalThe Mamas and the Papas were the first band to utilize folk, rock, jazz, pop, and beautiful harmonies. They were music icons and the "spokespeople" for the counter culture. To top it all off, they were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

Their music continues to be loved and appreciated by all generations.

ENGLISH SONGS: California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas

Artist: The Mamas & The Papas
Tittle: California Dreamin'

All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I went for a walk
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day
I stopped into a church (stopped into a church)
I passed along the way (passed along the way)
You know, I got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
Oh, the preacher likes the cold (preacher likes the cold)
He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay)
Oh, California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

All the leaves are brown (the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
I went for a walk (I went for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
If I didn't tell her (if I didn't tell her)
I could leave today (I could leave today)

Oh, California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

WATCH VIDEO AND SING! The mamas and the papas - California dreamin

ENGLISH SONGS: Monday, Monday- Mamas and the Papas

Artist: The Mamas And The Papas

Tittle: Monday, MondayMonday

Monday, so good to me,

Monday Monday, it was all I hoped it would be

Oh Monday morning, Monday morning couldn't guarantee

That Monday evening you would still be here with me.

Monday Monday, can't trust that day,

Monday Monday, sometimes it just turns out that way

Oh Monday morning, you gave me no warning of what was to be

Oh Monday Monday, how yould cou leave and not take me.

Every other day, every other day,

Every other day of the week is fine, yeah

But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes

You can find me cryin' all of the time

Monday Monday, so good to me,

Monday Monday, it was all I hoped it would be

Oh Monday morning, Monday morning couldn't guarantee

That Monday evening you would still be here with me.

Every other day, every other day,

Every other day of the week is fine, yeah

But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes

You can find me cryin' all of the timeMonday Monday, ...

WATCH VIDEO AND SING! The Mamas & The Papas - Monday Monday

ENGLISH SONGS: Abraham, Martin & John. Dion Dimucci

QUOTATIONS BY Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy:

Abraham: "Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not from themselves; and under a just God, cannot long retain it"

Martin: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter"

John:"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable"

Artist: Dion Dimucci

Tittle: ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN

Anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?

Can you tell me where he's gone?

He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young

You know I just looked around and he's gone

Anybody here seen my old friend John?

Can you tell me where he's gone?

He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young

I just looked around and he's gone

Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?

Can you tell me where he's gone?

He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young

I just looked around and he's gone

Didn't you love the things that they stood for?

Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?

And we'll be freeSome day soon, it's gonna be one day

Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?

Can you tell me where he's gone?

I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill

With Abraham, Martin, and John

WATCH VIDEO AND SING!Abraham, Martin and John

ENGLISH SONGS: Zager & Evans. In the year 2525

Artist: Zager & Evans

Tittle: IN THE YEAR 2525

In the year 2525

if man is still alive

if woman can survive

They may find

In the year 3535

Ain't gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lies

Everything you think, do and say

Is in the pill you took today

In the year 4545

You ain't gonna need your teeth, won't need your eyes

You won't find a thing to chew

Nobody's gonna look at you

In the year 5555

Your arms hangin' limp at your sides

Your legs got nothin' to do

Some machine's doin' that for you

In the year 6565

You won't need no husband, won't need no wife

You'll pick your son, pick your daughter too

From the bottom of a long glass tube

In the year 7510

If God's a-coming, He oughta make it by then

Maybe He'll look around Himself and say

"Guess it's time for the judgement day"

In the year 8510

God is gonna shake His mighty head

He'll either say "I'm pleased where man has been"

Or tear it down, and start again

In the year 9595

I'm kinda wonderin' if man is gonna be alive

He's taken everything this old earth can give

And he ain't put back nothing

Now it's been ten thousand years

Man has cried a billion tears

For what, he never knew

Now man's reign is through

But through eternal night

The twinkling of starlight

So very far away

Maybe it's only yesterday

WATCH VIDEO AND SING! Zager And Evans - In The Year 2525

ENGLISH SONGS: Bobby Darin.Dream Lover

Artist: Bobby Darin

Tittle: DREAM LOVER

Every night I hope and pray

A dream lover will come my way

A girl to hold in my arms

And know the magic of her charms

Because I want a girl to call my ownI want a dream lover

So I don't have to dream alone

Dream lover where are you

With a love oh so true

And a hand that I can hold

To feel you near when I grow old

Because I want a girl to call my own

I want a dream lover

So I don't have to dream alone

Someday I don't know how

I hope you'll hear my plea

Someway I don't know how

She'll bring her love to meDream lover until then

I'll go to sleep and dream again

That's the only thing to do

Until my lover's dream come true

Because I want a girl to call my own

I want a dream lover

So I don't have to dream alone

Dream lover until then

I'll go to sleep and dream again

That's the only thing to do

Until my lover's dream come true

Because I want a girl to call my own

I want a dream lover

So I don't have to dream alone

WATCH VIDEO AND SING! Bobby Darin - Dream Lover [1959]

ENGLISH SONGS: Ricky Nelson.Travelin' man

Artist: Ricky Nelson

Tittle: TRAVELIN' MAN

I'm a travelin' man and I've made a lotta stops all over the world

And in every port I own the heart of at least one lovely girl

I've a pretty senorita waitin' for me down in old Mexico

And if you're ever in Alaska stop and see my cute little Eskimo

Oh my sweet fraulien down in Berlin town makes my heart start to yearn

And my China doll down in old Hong Kong waits for my return

Pretty Polynesian baby over the sea I remember the night

When we walked in the sands of Waikiki and I held you oh so tight

Oh my sweet fraulien down in Berlin town makes my heart start to yearn

And my China doll down in old Hong Kong waits for my return

Pretty Polynesian baby over the sea I remember the night

When we walked in the sands of Waikiki and I held you oh so tight

Oh, I'm a travelin' manYes, I'm a travelin' man

Yes, I'm a travelin' manWoe, I'm a travelin' man

WATCH VIDEOAND SING! Ricky Nelson - Travelin' Man 1961with lyrics: Travelin' Man Ricky Nelson

ENGLISH SONGS: Elvis Presley. Burning Love

Artist: Elvis Presley

Tittle: BURNING LOVE

Lord Almighty, I feel my temperature rising

Higher higher

It's burning through to my soul

Girl, girl, girl

You gonna set me on fire

My brain is flaming

I don't know which way to go

Your kisses lift me higher

Like the sweet song of a choir

You light my morning sky

With burning love

Ooh, ooh, ooh,I feel my temperature rising

Help me, I'm flaming

I must be a hundred and nine

Burning, burning, burning

And nothing can cool me

I just might turn into smoke

But I feel fine

Cause your kisses lift me higher

Like a sweet song of a choir

And you light my morning sky

With burning love

It's coming closer

The flames are reaching my body

Please won't you help meI feel like I'm slipping away

It's hard to breath

And my chest is a-heating

Lord Almighty,

I'm burning a hole where I lay

Cause your kisses lift me higher

Like the sweet song of a choir

You light my morning sky

With burning love, With burning love

Ah, ah, burning love

I'm just a hunk, a hunk of burning love

Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love

Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love...

WATCH VIDEO AND SING! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L57-iW6MgA

ENGLISH SONGS: Oasis - Wonderwall

Artists: OASIS

Tittle: Wonderwall

Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now
you should've somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do
about you now

Backbeat the word was on the street
That the fire in your heart is out
I'm sure you've heard it all before
But you never really had a doubt
I don't believe that anybody feels
The way I do about you now

And all the roads we have to walk along are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would
Like to say to you
but I don't know how

Because maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall

Today was gonna be the day
But they'll never throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you're not to do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do
About you now

And all the roads that lead you there are winding
And all the lights that light the way are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
I don't know how
I said maybe
You're gonna be the one who saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall

I said maybe
You're gonna be the one who saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall

Said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
You're gonna be the one that saves me
You're gonna be the one that saves me

WATCH VIDEO AND SING! Wonderwall - Oasis - Lyrics

ENGLISH SONGS: Beyonce - If I were a boy

Artist: Beyonce

Tittle: IF I WERE A BOY

If I were a boy even just for a day
I'd roll out of bed in the morning
And throw on what I wanted
And go

drink beer with the guys
And chase after girls
I'd kick it with who I wanted
And I'd never get confronted for it
'Cause they stick up for me

If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man

I'd listen to her
'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
'Cause he's taking you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

If I were a boy
I would turn off my phone
Tell everyone it's broken
So they'd think that I was sleeping alone

I'd put myself first
And make the rules as I go
'Cause I know that she'd be faithful
Waiting for me to come home, to come home

If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man

I'd listen to her
'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
'Cause he's taking you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

It's a little too late for you to come back
Say it's just a mistake
Think I'd forgive you like that
If you thought I would wait for you
You thought wrong

But you're just a boy
You don't understand
And you don't understand, oh
How it feels to love a girl someday
you wish you were a better man

You don't listen to her
You don't care how it hurts
Until you lose the one you wanted
'Cause you're taking her for granted
And everything you had got destroyed
But you're just a boy
WATCH VIDEO AND SING! Beyoncé - If I Were A Boy (Lyrics)

MEJORAR LA PRONUNCIACIÓN EN INGLÉS

MEJORAR LA PRONUNCIACIÓN EN INGLÉS

En inglés existe un gran número de sonidos vocálicos que no tienen equivalencia en español. De ahí que en la práctica no sepas cómo poner la boca para imitar el sonido y lo que haces es buscar el sonido que a ti te parece más cercano en español; opción casi siempre errónea.
Por ello, las primeras semanas de cada curso las dedico a explicar o repasar el alfabeto fonético en inglés. Aunque en un principio puede parecer una pérdida de tiempo, no lo es. Esta práctica tiene como objetivo acercar al alumnado a la pronunciación en inglés y mejorarla.
En español tenemos cinco vocales y cinco sonidos vocálicos, es decir, "a, e, i, o, u". En inglés hay cinco vocales "grafemas"(las mismas que en español) también, pero los sonidos vocálicos son 20. En esta tabla aparecen los 20 sonidos vocálicos (en inglés americano y, en algún caso, en inglés británico).

1) El primer paso pasa por aprender el alfabeto fonético. Para hacerlo debes descargar en tu ordenador SEPHONICS, un freeware excepcional que te enseña el alfabeto fonético con ejercicios. Lo he encontrado en un blog para aprender inglés en el que se encuentran los consejos que os explico a continuación:

2) ¿Por qué hay que aprender el alfabeto fonético? Partimos de que ninguna palabra en inglés se pronuncia igual que se escribe; es necesario aprender el sonido por un lado, y por otro, cómo se escribe la palabra. Esto no ocurre en español, cuyas reglas de pronunciación son siempre iguales y, en consecuencia, no presenta mayores dificultades. Pero en inglés, la única manera correcta de transcribir el sonido es mediante el "Alfabeto Fonético Internacional" (AFI= Alfabeto Fonético Internacional) ya que los sonidos del español están demasiados alejados de los del inglés y no nos sirven de referencia; sobre todo si no tienes a un nativo a tu lado que te corrija la pronunciación.Recomendación: Siempre que leas una palabra en el diccionario, presta atención a la transcripción fonética que se encuentra junto a la palabra. Sí ya sabes el alfabeto fonético tendrás una idea bastante cercana sobre cómo suena la palabra. En wordreference.com muchas palabras tienen el sonido y la transcripción fonética. Dale al "play" hasta que te canses y mira al mismo tiempo la transcripción fonética.

3) Puedes seguir practicando los sonidos con esta tabla.
En este vídeo de inglés británico explican muy bien los sonidos del inglés. Muy recomendado.Recomendación: No te desanimes si no te acercas mucho a la pronunciación nativa. Piensa que cuando un anglo habla español, todas las palabras las dice con acento; pero eso no significa que no le entiendas. La meta no es hablar igual que un nativo, sino mejorar tu pronunciación de manera que te entiendan perfectamente al hablar.

4) ¿A qué sonidos les debes prestar atención? Además de que en inglés hay una serie de sonidos vocálicos que no existen en español. Cuando hablas inglés los nativos saben rápidamente que eres hispanohablante porque pronuncias erróneamente los siguientes sonidos:Pon la palabra que no sepas pronunciar en esta página. Una voz te dirá cómo suena.Aquí también dejo una fantástica página en la que te enseñan a pronunciar las vocales.

5) ¿Qué son los sonidos vocálicos? Pues, por un lado, una misma vocal puede tener uno o más sonidos, por ejemplo, la "a", suena distinta en la palabra "last" último (tiene un sonido entre "e" y "a") que en la palabra "flat" piso (tiene un sonido más cercano a la "a"). Por otro lado, si ponemos dos vocales juntas, creamos un sonido diferente al que tienen ambas vocales por separado. A veces, esos sonidos, se llaman diptongos . Pincha aquí para ver y oír los 20 sonidos vocálicos en inglés. Compara aquí cómo suenan las vocales en español.Si te fijas, en la tabla inglesa aparecen 12 vocales y 7 diptongos. (Nos falta un sonido para completar los 20 ¿dónde está?. Búscalo aquí.)

PRACTICA CON ESTOS EJEMPLOS:

La letra "i" que aparece, por ejemplo, en palabras como: bit (pedazo, trozo); it (lo,la); him (lo, le); tip (punta, consejo); in (en, dentro).Se pronuncia como si fueras a decir una "e" y acabas diciendo una "i", con los labios cerrados. Nunca se debe pronunciar como la "i" española, que es mucho más abierta. En fonética se representa con el símbolo /ɪ/. Recuerda siempre empieza diciendo una "e" y acabas con una "i".

La letra "s" que aparece, por ejemplo, en palabras como: Spanish (español); space (espacio); student ['stjʊ:dənt] (estudiante).Dado que la "s" líquida no existe en español, hay una tendencia generalizada en los hispanohablantes a pronunciar estas palabras como que si hubiese una "e" delante de la "s". Por ejemplo; "Espanish" o, "espace". Hay que tratar de evitar esa "e" y pronunciar únicamente la "s" imitando el sonido que hace una serpiente "sss". El símbolo fonético es /s/. En mi propia simbología, yo señalo la "s" así:[ss], para recordarte que no hay una "e" delante de la "s". Recuerda student [API:'stjʊ:dənt].

La letra "v" que aparece, por ejemplo, en palabras como: very (muy); verb (verbo); vampire (vampiro). Desafortunadamente, este sonido que existía en el castellano antiguo, se perdió. Actualmente, en español se pronuncian igual "v" y la "b". Todo el mundo suele pronunciar la palabra "very" como "beri" y suena fatal. Hay que intentar diferenciar ambos sonidos ("v" y "b"). La "v" en inglés se pronuncia casi mordiéndose los labios inferiores con los incisivos superiores. Si no lo logras, intenta primero decir "f". En realidad, es un sonido más parecido al de la "f" que al de la "b".

La "b", en cambio, como podrás comprobar si te fijas en tus labios, se pronuncia cerrando los labios. Símbolo fonético:/v/

La letra "j" que aparece, por ejemplo, en palabras como: jam (mermelada); jet; John (Juan).Se pronuncia casi como una "ch". El símbolo fonético es:/ʤ/. Este sonido, no presenta mayores dificultades; pero se suele confundir con el siguiente, el de la letra "y". Recuerda siempre como "ch"; es decir, jam [chaem]; jet [chet]; John [chon] la transcripción no es la apropiada pero ayuda en el caso de este sonido.

La letra "y" que aparece, por ejemplo, en palabras como: yes (sí); yet(todavía, aún); young (joven).Se pronuncia como una "i". El símbolo fonético es:/j/. Recuerda: siempre como "i"; es decir, yes [ies]; yet [iet]; young [afi=jʌɳ] [iang].

La letra "h" que aparece, por ejemplo, en palabras como: hat (sombrero); hot (caliente); he (él).Se pronuncia como una "h" aspirada, igual que si echas el aliento sobre un cristal antes de limpiarlo. El símbolo fonético es:/h/. Entre los hispanohablantes hay una tendencia a pronunciar erróneamente la "h" como "jota" de jamón. Recuerda siempre como "h" "empañando un cristal"; es decir, hat [hat]; hot [afi=hɒt][hot]; he [hi].

Escucha aquí todos los sonidos con ejemplos.

Recomendación: Pasa varios días tratando de imitar los sonidos de los ejemplos.

6) ¿Qué hay que hacer con todos estos sonidos nuevos? Hay que memorizarlos. Repito para que quede clarísimo: hay que memorizar los sonidos del inglés. ¿Por qué? Porque si lo lees simplemente, no llegarás nunca a hacerlos tuyos y, por tanto, seguirás hablando con un acento que más bien parece "español con tono en inglés" (si los anglos te ponen caras de no entender cuando les hablas inglés es una clara señal que estás hablando español con tono inglés) y, peor aún, tú no entenderás lo que te dicen. Piensa que tu memoria visual es mucho más potente que la auditiva, y dado que sabes leer, sólo recuerdas cómo se escriben las palabras. Éso es saber leer en español, pero en ningún caso, saber inglés.Si no haces el empeño de borrar el sonido español de las palabras y sustituirlo por el sonido real en inglés, nunca dominarás la pronunciación ni entenderás bien lo que te dicen.

7) ¿Cómo se memorizan estos sonidos? Una buena manera es coger una archivo de audio (mp3, cd, cinta, etc.) y la transcripción del audio, es decir, un texto en el que puedas ir siguiendo el sonido y las correspondientes palabras escritas. Este ejercicio no te lo deberás tomar como un hobby, sino como un trabajo. Pones el audio y escuchas una frase primero, vuelves a darle al "play" y escuchas nuevamente el sonido leyendo al mismo tiempo; luego repites en voz alta lo que han dicho. Se trata de que se te borre el sonido en español que se te ha quedado grabado desde que aprendiste a leer. Cuando ya estés acostumbrado (después de una diez o veinte veces de escuchar una frase) dejas de leer el texto y sólo escuchas. Dado que te puede resultar tedioso, procura buscar audios sobre temas que te interesen. El objetivo es aburrirse lo menos posible y aprender al mismo tiempo. Si se te ocurre otro método alternativo para memorizar sonidos (por ejemplo, escuchar canciones) pruébalo, teniendo siempre en mente que se trata de "borrar de tu cabeza los sonidos del español" y "reemplazarlos por los auténticos sonidos en inglés".

8) Otras recomendación: El enlace de palabras. Cuando hablas, cualquier idioma, pegas una palabra con otra, convirtiéndola en un solo sonido. Cuanto más rápido hables, más enlazarás una palabra con otra. Al principio, cuando todavía no domines la pronunciación, debes hablar lento. Repito: hablar lento. Si hablas rápido incrementas las probabilidades de que nadie te entienda. Después, poco a poco, debes empezar a pegar una palabra con otra. Fíjate en este programa cómo el tutor enlaza, e intenta imitarlo. Dejo aquí un artículo muy bueno (en inglés) sobre cómo mejorar tu pronunciación. Lectura muy recomendada.Empieza a practicar lo que has aprendido con este vídeo (inglés americano):Learn English - Introduction to phonetics

Gook luck!

PLAN LECTOR. Primer Trimestre

CURSO 2009-2010 PLAN LECTOR

PRIMER TRIMESTRE - 4º ESO

THE CURSE OF THE MUMMY. Ed. Oxford
Description
For thousand of years the dead body of the young king Tutankhamun slept under the sands of Egypt. Then, in the autumn of 1922, Howard Carter and his friends find and open his tomb door. These are exciting times, and Carter's young helper Tariq tells the story in his diary.But soon people begin to die. Who or what is the killer? Is Tutankhamun angry with them for opening his tomb? And who is the beautiful French girl with the face of Tutankhamun's long-dead wife?
La sesión semanal de los viernes se dedicará a la lectura, audición y traducción en clase del libro de lectura: The Curse of the Mummy.

Con anterioridad a ese día, el alumnado habrá buscado en un diccionario 20 palabras que desconozca de las páginas señaladas para ese viernes. Escribirá su trascripción fonética y significado.La traducción se presentará en limpio (dejar doble espacio para la corrección) junto con las palabras de vocabulario.Los ejercicios de comprensión de la lectura y traducción se presentarán por escrito en folios blancos tamaño DIN-A4.
TEMPORALIZACIÓN: VER ENLACE ORGANIZACIÓN INGLÉS

THE ENGLISH ALPHABET

REAL ENGLISH
Here you have an useful and interesting video about the English Alphabet. They are real people. Watch the video and repeat.

ENGLISH SONGS: Gerry & The Pacemakers. You'll never walk alone

SONG: YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE
Artists: Gerry & The Pacemakers

When you walk through a storm

Hold your head up high

And don't be afraid of the dark.

At the end of the storm

There's a golden sky

And the sweet silverSong of a lark.

Walk on through the wind

Walk on through the rain

Though your dreams

Be tossed and blown.

Walk on

Walk on

With hope in your hearts

I And you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone.

Walk on

Walk on

With hope in your hearts

I And you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone

ENGLISH SONGS: Coldplay. Viva la vida

ARTIST: Coldplay
SONG: Viva La Vida - Gaps

I used to rule the _________Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep __________Sweep the streets
I used to own

I used to ________the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the_________!


"One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of _________


I hear Jerusalem bells are _________Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I __________ explain
Once you know there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world(Ohhh)

It was the wicked and wild __________Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered ___________ and the sound of drums
People could not _____________ what I'd become

Revolutionaries waitFor my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever __________ to be King?

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs __________ ______________
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can not explainI know Saint Peter won't call _________ ____________Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world(Ohhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

Hear Jerusalem bells are ringingRoman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can not explainI know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world(Ooooh Ooooh Ooooh)


LISTEN TO THE VIDEO AND FILL THE GAPS.Viva La Vida
CHECK YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE LYRICS. Coldplay - Viva La Vida - Lyrics!

ENGLISH SONGS: This is the life. Amy Mcdonald

ARTIST: Amy Macdonald
SONG: This Is The Life














Oh the wind whistles down
The cold dark street tonight
And the people they were dancing
to the music vibe
And the boys chase the girls with the curls in their hair
While the shy tormented youth sit way over there
And the songs they get louder
Each one better than before

And you're singing the songs
Thinking this is the life
And you wake up in the morning
and you're head feels twice the size
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna sleep tonight?

And you're singing the songs
Thinking this is the life
And you wake up in the morning
and you're head feels twice the size
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna sleep tonight?
Where you gonna sleep tonight?

So you're heading down the road
in your taxi for four
And you're waiting outside Jimmy's front door
But nobody's in and nobody's home 'til four
So you're sitting there
 with nothing to do
Talking about Robert Riger and his motley crew
And where you're gonna go
and where you're gonna sleep tonight

And you're singing the songs
Thinking this is the life
And you wake up in the morning
and you're head feels twice the size
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna sleep tonight?

And you're singing the songs
Thinking this is the life
And you wake up in the morning
and you're head feels twice the size
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna sleep tonight?
Where you gonna sleep tonight?