Young man's confession on YouTube: "I killed a man".
(Level: Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate / B1 to B2 / ***)



Before watching

You are going to watch a rather chilling YouTube video which has now gone viral(*) on the Web. It shows a 22-year-old truck driver, Matthew Cordle, who admitted killing a man in a road accident. He insists on taking full responsibility for it.

(*) to go viral: to spread like a virus

Note:

The confession video was released with the help of a non-profit Ohio organisation called Because I said I would (www.becauseisaidiwould.com) which aims at making humanity better through the power of a promise.

Promise cards are important as they help you remember your commitments or goals and therefore (once you've kept your promises) be a person of your word.

See here how it works!   http://becauseisaidiwould.com/what-are-promise-cards/
 

Ohio
Map from myonlinemaps.com

 

The following words could be useful:
to hop from bar to bar: to go bar-hopping / to go from one bar to the next and get progressively drunk      faire la tournée des bars
to black out: to become unconscious / to pass out    s'évanouir
the oncoming traffic: approaching vehicles in the opposite lane   véhicules arrivant en sens inverse
high-powered: very important / reputable      de haut vol / réputé
an attorney (US): a lawyer    avocat
to get off: to escape (from punishment)   s'en tirer




While watching


Watch the video and answer the following question in French!

How are the man's words associated with the way he appears on the video (or the way the video itself is produced)? Complete the grid!

Part 1 of the video: 00:00 to 01:39	Part 2 of the video: 01:40 to the end
Your observations (about that part of the video? The staging elements?)	Your observations (about that part of the video? The staging elements?)
What does he say during that part of the video? (What do you get to know about what happened, the circumstances, the type of man he is, his addiction, his lawyers)	What does he say during that part of the video?

When you are finished, check your answers!

(You'll also find the transcripts hereafter)

Suggestions de réponses!

Part 1 of the video: 00:00 to 01:39	Part 2 of the video: 01:40 to the end
Your observations (about that part of the video? The staging elements?)  - Visage flouté + voix masquée (début des aveux sous le couvert de l'anonymat) - Musique lugubre; sombre	Your observations (about that part of the video? The staging elements?) - Aveux à visage découvert + voix normale (après avoir dit qu'il ne mentirait pas dans cette affaire) - Musique triste - Montre ses blessures (suite à l'accident) - Montre sa "carte promesse" à la caméra (qu'il a aussi rédigée devant la caméra)
What does he say during that part of the video?  (What do you get to know about what happened, the circumstances, the type of man he is, his addiction, his lawyers)   Il a occasionné un accident de la circulation et est responsable de la mort d'un homme. Il avait fréquenté plusieurs bars avec des amis et il était ivre mort; il a quand même décidé de rentrer chez lui avec son camion,  s'est retrouvé sur la voie opposée et a heurté une voiture de plein fouet. Il a l'habitude de boire parce qu'il souffre de dépression. Il devient alors un individu qu'on n'aime pas fréquenter, qui occasionne des bagarres et qui a gâché plusieurs relations. Les avocats qu'il a rencontrés suite à cette affaire lui ont dit qu'on pouvait faire disparaître les tests sanguins qu'ils avait subis suite à son accident et qu'il ne lui resterait plus qu'à mentir.	What does he say during that part of the video?     Il dévoile son identité (Matthew Cordle) et celle de sa victime (Vincent Canzani) + la date des faits (le 22 juin 2013). Il refuse de salir la mémoire de M. Canzani en mentant. Il prendra ses responsabilités et plaidera coupable lorsqu'il comparaîtra.   Il sait que cette vidéo correspond à des aveux qu'il fournit au procureur et qu'il risque d'encourir une peine de prison conséquente. Il implore tous ceux qui verront la vidéo de ne pas boire et conduire. Il ne peut plus ramener M. Canzani à la vie; il ne peut pas effacer ce qu'il a fait mais les autres (futures) victimes peuvent encore être sauvées...

Transcripts

I killed a man.
I was out with some friends, we were all drinking really heavily. Just hopping from bar to bar... just trying to have a good time and I lost control.
You know, sometimes I drink because I have depression that I struggle with every day. And ... I just drink to get out of my head for a few hours. You know... I really don't like the person I become when I drink. I've ruined relationships in the past... I start fights... you know... I just generally become the person that people don't like being around.
On that particular night, I made a mistake and got in my truck. I completely blacked out and just started to try to drive home. I ended up going the wrong way down the highway... directly into oncoming traffic and I struck a car.
I killed a man.

Immediately following that, I consulted some high-powered attorneys who told me stories about similar cases where the drivers got off. They were convinced I could get my blood tests thrown out and all I would have to do for that was lie.
Well I won't go down that path.  

 

My name is Matthew Cordle, and on June 22, 2013, I hit and killed Vincent Canzani.
This video will act as my confession.  
When I get charged, I will plead guilty and take full responsibility for everything I have done to Vincent and his family.
If I took a different route, maybe I would get a reduced sentence and maybe I would get off...But I won't dishonor Vincent's memory by lying about what happened.
By releasing this video I know exactly what it means. I'm handing the prosecution everything they need to put me away for a very long time...but I'm willing to take that sentence for just one reason.
And that reason is so I could pass this message on to you.
I beg you...and I say the word "BEG" specifically...I'm begging you...please don't drink and drive.
Don't make the same excuses that I did.
Don't say it's only a few miles or you've only had a few beers...or you do it all the time....or it will never happen to you. Because it happened to me and all of those are just excuses to make yourself feel better about a decision that you know is wrong and could cost lives.
I can't bring Mr. Canzani back...and I can't erase what I've done.
But you can still be saved, your victims can still be saved.
So please...

Back to work: 10 worst things about post-holiday blues
(Level: Intermediate / B1 / **)

You are going to read a BBC article focusing on the worst things that can happen after a holiday when you have to be back at work.

Picture: from BBC/ News / Magazine

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23864719


Have you ever experienced them or rather, are you experiencing them right now or is it anything similar?
 
No other questions this time! So just read and enjoy!

Are your passwords safe? (+ a review of apps and websites) 
(Level: Upper-Intermediate / B2 / ***)

 


Picture from digitaltrends.com

You are going to watch a clip with technology reporter Kate Russell from "CLICK", a BBC World News technology programme focusing on technological news (about the latest gadgets or apps, websites etc.).

 

This clip is divided into four parts.  Part 1 will deal with how to check whether your password is sufficiently safe or not; part 2 refers to an interesting site by the Royal Institution of Great-Britain (*) dealing with science; part 3 is devoted to an iPhone app used to identify banknotes and part 4 is about a series of videos called “Other Places”.

 

(*) The Royal Institution of Great-Britain is an organisation which aims at connecting people with the world of science.    http://www.rigb.org/registrationControl?action=home

The Royal Institution’s website: http://richannel.org/

  

Before watching

 

The following words and notes could be useful:

to improve your odds against...:to reduce the possibility of...occurring   réduire les risques de...

to be worth (+…ing):  interesting or useful to...      valoir la peine de...

a wealth of …:  an abundance of...  /  resources        une profusion de…

courtesy of: willingness or generosity in providing something         offert par…

the pick of..: the best part           le meilleur de…

a lecture:  an exposition of a given subject delivered before an audience e.g.     ici: conférence

to scour: to go through / search         fouiller

to showcase: to exhibit in an attractive aspect      présenter

by leaps and bounds: rapidly              rapidement / à pas de géant 

stunning:    impressive / astonishing          stupéfiant / superbe / impressionnant

a vista:   sight / landscape / scene             vue / perspective / paysage

 

LivingSocial: an online "market place" or e-commerce business website offering daily deals on the best things to do in your area or elsewhere ranging from restaurants and family outings to home services, access to concerts, sporting events and all sorts of products.

The company’s database was hacked in April 2013, affecting 50 million registered users.

 

Password generator: a password manager helping you to manage your passwords put in one encrypted database which is locked with one master key so that the user needs to remember only one single master password.                                        Gestionnaire de mots de passe

 

The Royal Institution Christmas lectures: a series of lectures which have been held at the Royal Institution in London each year since 1825. Scientific subjects are presented to a general audience, including young people, in an informative and entertaining manner. Michael Faraday (*) initiated the first Christmas Lecture series in 1825, at a time when organised education for young people was scarce.

(*) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Faraday

 

While watching

 

Answer the following questions in French!

Part 1:

What tips is Kate giving as far as your passwords are concerned?
1.
2.
3.
 
Part 2:
Why is the Royal Institution’s website worth looking into?
1.
2.
 

Part 3:

What are the advantages of the Money Reader?

1.

2.

3.

Are there any shortcomings about the app?

Part 4:
Why are Ultrabrilliant’s videos interesting?

 

 

 

You can also watch the video on the BBC World News website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01f74gv

 

  

When you are finished, you can check your answers.

 

Part 1

1. Créer des mots de passe incroyablement robustes, élaborés ou éviter qu’ils soient ridiculement faibles du style « 12345 » ou « Password ».  

2.  Aller sur howsecureismypassword.net   pour tester la robustesse de ses mots de passe.  

3. Recourir à un gestionnaire de mots de passe pour y stocker dans une base de données sécurisée tous les identifiants forts qu’on aura créés sans courir le risque de ne plus pouvoir s’en souvenir ! Un seul mot de passe sera nécessaire pour y avoir accès.

 

Part 2

1. Le site présente un grand nombre de vidéos scientifiques à visionner (en provenance de la Royal Institution elle-même) 

2.  Le site ne se contente pas de fournir le meilleur des vidéos ou des conférences de la Royal Institution (par exemple les démonstrations scientifiques spectaculaires – les conférences de Noël pour les jeunes etc.), mais aussi tout ce que la Toile a de meilleur à offrir dans le domaine des sciences.  

 

Part 3

Avantages:

1. Application iPhone utile pour les déficients visuels. 

2. Application qui « reconnaît » en temps réel les billets de banque et qui informe l’utilisateur (affichage sur l’iPhone et reconnaissance vocale) avec précision de la valeur du billet qui se trouve devant lui, peu importe que le billet soit plié ou  présenté sous différents angles. 

3. Plusieurs langues sont disponibles pour la reconnaissance vocale.

Manquements:

-  Pas bon marché pour une application (presque 10 dollars). 

-  N’identifie que les dollars américains, canadiens et australiens, les livres sterling et les euros.

 Part 4

Série de vidéos qui invitent l’internaute à apprécier sur YouTube les magnifiques paysages de jeux vidéo connus, mais sans avoir à subir sans arrêt les attaques d’extra-terrestres ou de bandits en tous genres…

If you are interested, here is the link to the BBC's "CLICK" website: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n13xtmd5

 

 

 

 

 Bradley Manning jailed for 35 years in WikiLeaks* case
 (Level: Upper-intermediate / B2 to C1 / ***)

You are going to watch a Sky News report focusing on US Army private** Bradley Manning after he was eventually sentenced to 35 years in jail instead of the 136 years he had faced at the outset of his trial by court martial or the 90 years imprisonment the Prosecution wanted him to be sentenced to.

 

* Wikileaks = an international, non-profit organization aiming at publishing secret or classified information and news leaks. For more details, see http://wikileaks.org

 

** private =  a soldier of the lowest military rank      simple soldat

 

Before watching


The following words could be useful:
to betray: to commit treason      trahir
double standard(s): principles allowing greater freedom or more privileges to one person or group than to another   deux poids deux mesures
a footage: a (short) film or videotape          images; séquences filmées
to gun down: to shoot down     abattre  
an intelligence officer:  a person employed in espionage for a government    agent/ analyste de renseignement 
to leak: unauthorized or deliberate disclosure of confidential information      fuite
the outset:  beginning / start    début 
eligible for : entitled to       admissible à 
parole:  the release of a prisoner before the expiry of his sentence on the promise of a good behaviour e.g.     libération conditionnelle   
the Prosecution: the party instituting or conducting legal proceedings against someone in court     le Parquet / l'Accusation / le Procureur 
to disrupt: interrupt by causing trouble / destroy    perturber  / nuire à / interrompre 
unabated: without any reduction in intensity or strength       sans relâche / sans répit





While watching

Answer the following questions in French!

 

1. The verdict against Bradley Manning has divided public opinion: explain the two trends on how the ex-intelligence agent is now really seen by the Americans and why! 
2. Will he have to serve his whole sentence?

 

You can also watch the report on the Sky News website:

http://news.sky.com/story/1131565/manning-jailed-for-35-years-in-wikileaks-case






When you are finished, check your answers!

1

Pour les uns…

… c’est un soldat qui a trahi son pays et mis à mal la diplomatie en transmettant à WikiLeaks quelque 750.000 documents classés secrets défense et autres câbles diplomatiques.

… celui qui aurait mis des vies en danger (selon l’Accusation lors de son procès)

 

Pour les autres…

… un "héros" qui a révélé aux yeux du monde les crimes de guerre perpétrés par l’armée américaine et une politique de deux poids deux mesures.

…un soldat condamné à 35 ans de prison pour avoir conscientisé le public du nombre de civils tués par exemple par l’armée américaine ou des transactions douteuses qui s’opèrent sur le plan diplomatique (selon son avocat).

…celui grâce à qui le monde entier a pu voir comment un hélicoptère américain a pris pour cibles des civils irakiens ou encore celui qui a révélé la présence de nombreuses personnes incarcérées arbitrairement à Guantanamo (car peu de preuves contre elles)

2

Non. Il pourrait bénéficier d'une libération conditionnelle après avoir purgé le tiers de sa peine.
Son avocat va aussi déposer un recours en grâce auprès du Président Obama.

Suicide over web blackmail
(Level: Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate / B1 to B2 / ** to ***)




Before watching

A 17-year-old Scottish teenager from Dunfermline, Fife, took his own life after falling victim to an extortion and blackmail scam on Skype.

 

This tragedy occurred just after another recent case of a teenage girl dying because of cyberbullying.
(See: 14-year-old girl killed herself after being cyberbullied)
 

Obviously, young people are particularly vulnerable on line but why is that?



Fife, Scotland
Photo from wikipedia.org 



Forth Road Bridge
Photo from Edinburgh-Scotland.net

You are now going to watch a Sky News report.

The following words could be useful:
Little did he know…: Il ne savait pas (que…)  / Il ne s’attendait pas (à ce que…)
a scam : a stratagem for gain / a swindle       escroquerie
blackmail : extortion of money or something of value from a person by the threat of exposing some compromising or discreditable information      chantage 
the footage : short film      images/ séquence filmée
nasty (e.g. comments): indecent /  offensive / malicious / very unpleasant        (p.ex. pour des commentaires) méchant / désobligeant / cru / obscène
to seek out : (here) look for (here: some support)    se tourner vers qqn / chercher (un soutien)    
to speak out: to express oneself (without fear...)      s'exprimer   



While watching


Answer the following questions in French!

1. How did the blackmailers victimise the teenager?
2. Why are  some young people so vulnerable on line according to anti-bullying charity volunteers Emmanuel and Kieran?
3. What tips (2) are given if you are being targeted on line?

You can also find the video on the Sky News website.

http://news.sky.com/story/1129255/daniel-perry-suicide-over-web-blackmail



When you are finished, you can check your answers.

1.
L’adolescent a été arnaqué en ligne (sur Skype) alors qu’il croyait avoir tissé un lien amical et même intime avec une jeune Américaine. Il ignorait que ses conversations par webcam étaient enregistrées. C’est alors que les maîtres-chanteurs lui ont réclamé le versement d’une somme  d’argent sous menace de montrer les vidéos à ses amis et sa famille.  


2.
En gros parce que les victimes, déjà fragilisées au quotidien, dans leur contacts avec les autres en réel, se font alors d'autant plus facilement gruger sur la Toile, en virtuel!
a) A l'école, la jeune victime de harcèlement ne peut échapper aux commentaires désobligeants et insultants tandis que sur internet, elle aura tendance à se confier plus facilement à des inconnus ou à tisser des liens "amicaux" avec autrui ou à avoir le plus possible d'amis sur Facebook - juste pour combler un vide... (Avis d'Emmanuel).
b) A l'école, certains jeunes n'attirent pas l'attention qu'ils voudraient auprès des autres garçons ou filles; ils sont donc assez insatisfaits. Ils vont donc tenter de combler cette insatisfaction en attirant l'attention en ligne, en postant des photos etc.  (Avis de Kieran).
 
3.
1) Ne pas souffrir en silence.
2) Refuser de se prêter au jeu des maîtres-chanteurs; y mettre fin notamment en signalant le problème; chercher un soutien et oser s'exprimer...

 
If you are interested, you can read a Daily Mail article focusing on those tragic events due to online blackmailing or cyberbullying.
 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2394520/Dunfermline-teenager-Daniel-Perry-17-kills-blackmailers-trick-Skype.html#ixzz2cyUxXrx4