The Queen's message: "We will meet again".

The Queen's message: "We will meet again".
(Level: B2 / Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate / *** )

Photo credit: bbc.co.uk 

You are going to listen to a special address to the nation by her Majesty the Queen on the coronavirus pandemic.


Before listening / watching:

The following words could be useful:

a disruption:   a major disturbance                dérèglement / bouleversement 
the NHS (National Health Service): the publicly-funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom
to tackle:to make efforts to deal with ...                  s'attaquer à ...   
a resolve: a firm determination                               résolution / détermination  
fellow-feeling: a feeling of mutual interest / communal feeling            solidarité / sentiment fraternel 
deep down: deep down inside  / basically       en son for intérieur  / au plus profond de soi-même
an endeavour: an attempt / a strenuous effort          effort / initiative / entreprise 


While listening / watching:


Answer the following questions:

1. The Queen's speech is a message of hope: true or false?   Explain! 
2. Who does she thank? 
3. What does the present-day crisis remind her of?
4. How different is this challenge from those in the past?



Now watch the Queen as she is addressing her country (BBC video without subtitles):  

You can also get to the BBC website to watch the Queen (video with subtitles) : click HERE








When you are finished, check your answers!

1. The Queen’s speech was a message of hope : true or false?   Explain.

Vrai. La souveraine a laissé entrevoir une lueur d’espoir :  « Nous vaincrons - et cette victoire sera celle de chacun d'entre nous », a-t-elle déclaré. « Alors que nous pourrions avoir à endurer plus encore, nous devrions trouver du réconfort dans le fait que des jours meilleurs viendront: nous retrouverons nos amis; nous retrouverons nos familles; nous nous retrouverons de nouveau ».

2. Who did she thank?

Elle a  remercié le personnel soignant, en première ligne dans la lutte contre la maladie ; également les Britanniques qui œuvrent partout hors de chez eux pour servir la population (les métiers essentiels dans cette crise) et ceux qui doivent rester en confinement pour éviter la propagation du virus, protéger les plus vulnérables et empêcher que d’autres familles aient à déplorer la perte d’êtres chers.

3. What does the present-day crisis remind her of?

L’esprit de la Deuxième Guerre mondiale et un souvenir personnel en 1940: sa participation avec sa  soeur à sa toute première radiodiffusion, pour s’adresser aux enfants qui avaient dû être évacués pour leur propre sécurité.  C’étaient des séparations douloureuses mais bien nécessaires. 

C’est encore le cas aujourd'hui à cause du coronavirus car beaucoup  doivent vivre séparés de leurs proches.

4. How different is this challenge from those in the past?

Ce défi est différent de ceux qu’il a fallu affronter dans le passé : ici, le Royaume-Uni se joint à toutes les nations du globe dans une lutte contre un ennemi commun, en utilisant les grandes avancées scientifiques et la compassion instinctive pour guérir.

Song 5: Coldplay - Clocks

Song 5: Coldplay - Clocks
(Level: B2 to C1 / Upper-Intermediate / ***) 

Coldplay
Photo credit: concert-france.com

Before listening / watching:

The following notes coud be useful:

Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in London in 1996.

The group comprises vocalist/pianist/guitarist Chris Martin, lead guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Will Champion.

Coldplay achieved worldwide fame with the release of their single "Yellow", followed by their debut album, Parachutes (2000). Its follow-up, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), won multiple awards. Their next release, X&Y (2005), was well received. 

The band's fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), was produced by Brian Eno and earned several Grammy nominations.

In 2011, Coldplay released their fifth studio album Mylo Xyloto which was the best-selling rock album in the UK. 

They released their next subsequent albums Ghost Stories in 2014 and A Head Full of Dreams in 2015.

In November 2019, they released their eighth album, Everyday Life. 

If you want to know more about their latest album, get to Coldplay's official site 

"Clocks" is a song which was written for the second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. The song won Record of the Year at the 2004 Grammy Awards, and, to date, is one of Coldplay's greatest career achievements.

The writing of the album as such began a week after the September 11 attacks in the United States, which gave the band a fresh perspective on songwriting.

Vocabulary  

to beg: supplier
to plead: implorer
things unsaid: le non-dit
to tame: apprivoiser
gonna (informal English) = going to
curse: malédiction



While listening / watching:

Watch, listen and fill in the missing words in the gaps:

 …………………………… (1) and I can't be saved

Tides that I tried to …………………………….. (2)
You've put me down upon my knees
Oh I beg, I beg and plead (singing)
Come out of things unsaid, …………………………………………. (3) (and a)
Trouble that can't be named, a tiger's waiting to be tamed (singing)
You are, you are

………………………………….. (4), closing walls and ticking clocks (gonna)
Come back and take you home, I could not stop that you now know (singing)
Come out upon my seas, curse missed opportunities (am I)
A part of the cure, or am I ………………………………………….. (5) (singing)

You are [4x]
You are [2x]
And ……………………………………………… (6)
Oh no nothing else compares
Oh and nothing else compares

You are [2x]
Home, home, where I wanted to go [2x](I went)
Home, home, where I wanted to go (I went)
Home, home, where I wanted to go

Now watch the music video: click HERE







When you are finished, check your answers!

Lights go out (1) and I can't be saved
Tides that I tried to swim against (2)
You've put me down upon my knees
Oh I beg, I beg and plead (singing)
Come out of things unsaid, shoot an apple off my head (3) (and a)
Trouble that can't be named, a tiger's waiting to be tamed (singing)
You are, you are

Confusion never stops, (4) closing walls and ticking clocks (gonna)
Come back and take you home, I could not stop that you now know (singing)
Come out upon my seas, curse missed opportunities (am I)
A part of the cure, or am I part of the disease (5) (singing)

You are [4x] (singing)
You are [2x]
And nothing else compares (6)
Oh no nothing else compares
Oh and nothing else compares

You are [continues in background]
Home, home, where I wanted to go [2x](I went)
Home, home, where I wanted to go (I went)
Home, home, where I wanted to go

Song 4: AC/DC - It's a long way to the top (If I wanna rock'n'roll)

Song 4: AC/DC - It's a long way to the top (If I wanna rock'n'roll)
(Level: B2 to C1 / Upper-Intermediate / **** )

AC/DC
Photo credit: rtbf.be

Before listening / watching

The following notes could be useful:

AC/DC are a hard rock band formed in Sydney, Australia, in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young.

The band is considered pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal alongside bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple.

AC/DC released their first album, High Voltage, in 1975 and recorded their highly successful album Highway To Hell in 1979.

Lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980, after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group briefly considered disbanding, but soon a new singer, Brian Johnson, was selected as Scott's replacement. Later that year, the band released their largest selling album, Back in Black.

The band's next album, For Those About to Rock, We salute You, (1981) was also highly successful and was their first album to reach No. 1 in the USA.

AC/DC declined in popularity after that: poor record sales continued until the release of The Razors Edge in 1990.

The studio album released in 2008 (Black Ice) was the biggest chart hit since their 1981 album.

"It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" is the first track of their Australian album T.N.T. released in December 1975 and also the first track on the international version of High Voltage released in May 1976. Musically, the song is notable for combining bagpipes with hard rock electric guitars, drums and bass.

A bagpipe player
Photo credit: scotclans.com

Picture credit: ultratop.be 

Vocabulary 

a highway: une route principale / nationale a byway: une route secondaire to get beat up (informal English) = to get beaten up to get took (informal English) = to get taken

you wanna (informal English) = you want to a one-night stand: une soirée / représentation unique the hard-sell: la vente agressive to get ripped off: se faire arnaquer

While listening / watching


1. Watch, listen and fill in the missing words in the gaps!

Ridin' down the ...................... (1) Goin' to a ...................... (2) Stop in all the byways Playin' rock 'n' roll Gettin' ....................... (3) Gettin' stoned Gettin' beat up Broken boned Gettin' ....................... (4) Gettin' took I tell you folks It's harder than it looks It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll If you think it's easy doin' one night stands Try playin' in a rock roll band It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll Hotel motel Make you wanna cry Lady do the hard sell Know the reason why Gettin' ........................ (5) Gettin' grey

Gettin' ripped off ............................. (6) Gettin' sold Second-hand That's how it goes Playin' in a band It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll If you wanna be a star of ......................................(7) Look out it's rough and mean It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll Well it's a long way It's a long way, you .......................................... (8) me It's a long way, such a long way

2. What does playing in a rock'n'roll band involve? What is is like? 




Now watch the music video:  click HERE








When you are finished, you can check your answers! 

1

Ridin' down the highway (1) Goin' to a show (2) Stop in all the byways Playin' rock 'n' roll Gettin' robbed (3) Gettin' stoned Gettin' beat up Broken boned Gettin' had (4) Gettin' took I tell you folks It's harder than it looks It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll If you think it's easy doin' one night stands Try playin' in a rock roll band It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll Hotel motel Make you wanna cry Lady do the hard sell Know the reason why Gettin' old (5) Gettin' grey

Gettin' ripped off Underpaid (6) Gettin' sold Second hand That's how it goes Playin' in a band It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll If you wanna be a star of stage and screen (7) Look out it's rough and mean It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll Well it's a long way It's a long way, you should've told me (8) It's a long way, such a long way

2

Jouer dans un group rock…

…implique qu’on doive sillonner les routes (principales et secondaires)… ; qu’on se fasse voler (get robbed), battre (get beaten up), avoir (get had), prendre (get taken), arnaquer (get ripped off), vendre (get sold), sous-payer (underpaid)… / …qu’on soit défoncé (get stoned)

…c’est plus dur qu’il n’y parait : pas facile de faire des représentations uniques / de passer les nuits dans des hôtels ou des motels à vous donner envie de pleurer…

…ça vous vieillit …

…

What if there was an outbreak of coronavirus in a migrant camp?

What if there was an outbreak of coronavirus in a migrant camp? 
(Level: B1 to B2 / Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate / ***)


How could coronavirus be avoided in an overcrowded refugee camp where people live in excessively unsanitary conditions?


Before watching

You are going to watch a footage filmed in the camp of Moria, Lesbos in Greece. 

Island of Lesbos, Greece
Map credit: showerpower.eu

The situation is horrendous for the migrants in a place where an outbreak of the Covid-19 would cause havoc. 

(to cause havoc: faire des ravages)

The following words could be useful:

a ticking time bomb:a situation that would cause havoc or result in a disastrous outcome.        bombe à retardement 

the trash = the rubbish

Picture credit: theguardian.com

While watching:

Answer the following questions:

Explain why it would be catastrophic on the Island of Lesbos if there was an outbreak of coronavirus!   What is it like for the refugees to live there? 

You can also watch the video (with English subtitles) on the BBC News site by clicking HERE

When you are finished, you can check your answers.

Si le coronavirus devait faire son apparition dans le campement, la situation deviendrait très vite incontrôlable parce qu'il serait impossible de s'isoler des autres ou de mettre en place le confinement de rigueur pour endiguer le virus.

- le camp compte 18.000 personnes alors qu'il ne devait à la base en accueillir que 3.000; donc surpopulation et donc aucune possibilité de distanciation sociale

- les gens doivent faire la file pour se procurer de la nourriture, de l'eau potable, aller aux toilettes, prendre une douche...

- les points d'eau ne sont accessibles que durant quelques heures par jour: les attroupements sont donc conséquents à chaque fois... 

- Certaines toilettes sont hors d'usage. 

- Les conditions d'hygiène sont déplorables; les détritus sont partout et même à proximité des points d'eau.

- Les réserves de savons et de produits nettoyants s'amenuisent... Les magasins de l'île en sont presque à court... 

- Il n'y a pas de gants, ni de masques... 

- Il n'y a presque pas de médecins dans le camp...  

Le responsable de Médecins sans Frontières craint que ces réfugiés seront les laissés pour compte de l'Europe en cas de flambée épidémique

...

Song 3: Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie)

Song 3: Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie)
(Level: C1 / Upper-Intermediate to Advanced / ***)

David Bowie
Photo credit: francemusique.fr

You are going to watch a music video of David Bowie's Ashes to Ashes. 

Before watching:

The following notes and words could be useful:

A few notes about David Bowie and the song:

David Robert Jones, known as David Bowie was born on 8 January 1947 in Brixton, South London. 

He began his career in 1963 and "Space Oddity" became his first top-five entry on the UK Singles Chart after its release in July 1969.

He had had a fight in 1962 with a schoolmate which resulted in his peculiar left eye condition: a permanently dilated pupil, the colour of which is different from his right eye.  

He became famous in 1969 with Space Oddity*, the initial part of his Glam rock period.

He released in 1980 his very successful album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) including the very famous Ashes to Ashes.

He released in 1981 the hit Under Pressure co-written by and performed with Queen.

He released a truly commercial hit, Let’s Dance, in 1983 which went to number one in the USA and the UK.

He sang in duet with Mick Jagger on Dancing in the Street** in 1985.

He released albums in the 1990s highly influenced by soul, jazz, hip-hop, alternative rock and drum and bass music.

He also appeared in films.  In The Man who Fell to Earth  (1976), Bowie played the role of an alien, in Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence (1983), he was a major, a prisoner of war in a Japanese internment camp, in The Hunger (1984 -  along with Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon), he was a vampire... 

In the noughties and a bit after, Bowie had been absent for at least 10 years before returning with his 2013 album The Next Day. 

He died of liver cancer on 10 January 2016 at his home in New York City, two days after his 69th birthday and the release of his final album, Blackstar (2016).

Picture credit: en.wikipedia.org

Ashes to Ashes

-One of Bowie’s number one hits.

-Musically the song was notable for its delicate synthetic string sound (with a guitar synth, i.e. the combination of a guitar and a synthesizer) and its complex  vocal exercise.

-Regarded as Bowie's most sophisticated sonic work.

-The video clip was also iconic because it was full of scenes based on solarisation with images recorded on a negative or on a photographic print wholly or partially reversed in tone. Dark areas appear light and vice versa.

-The song and its video also denoted the singer’s plaintive mood of the time

Vocabulary
the shrieking: les cris
I ain't got = I haven't got 
a junkie: un camé / drogué
funky: froussard   (funk: frousse / peur)
strung out in heaven's high: perché en haut dans le ciel 



While watching:

Watch the song and then find the missing part in it. 

You can find the video by clicking HERE

Watch, listen and find the missing parts

........................................ a guy that’s been
In such an early song
I’ve heard a rumour from ground control
Oh no, don’t say it’s true

They got a message from the action man
I’m happy, hope you’re happy too
I’ve loved all I’ve ............................................
Sordid details following

The shrieking of nothing is .....................................

Just pictures of jap girls in synthesis and I
Ain’t got no money and I ain’t ......................................
But I’m hoping to kick but the planet it’s glowing

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know major tom’s a junkie
Strung out in heaven’s high
Hitting an all-time low

Time and again ..................................
I’ll stay clean tonight
But the little green wheels ........................................
Oh no, not again
I’m stuck with a valuable friend
I’m happy, hope you’re happy too
One flash of light but no smoking pistol

I never done good things
I never done bad things
I never did anything ......................................, woh-o-oh
Want an axe to break the ice
Wanna come down right now

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know major tom’s a junkie
Strung out in heaven’s high
Hitting an all-time low

My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom

When you are finished, you can check your answers.

Do you remember a guy that’s been
In such an early song
I’ve heard a rumour from ground control
Oh no, don’t say it’s true

They got a message from the action man
I’m happy, hope you’re happy too
I’ve loved all I’ve needed love
Sordid details following

The shrieking of nothing is killing
Just pictures of jap girls in synthesis and i
Ain’t got no money and I ain’t got no hair
But I’m hoping to kick but the planet it’s glowing

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know major tom’s a junkie
Strung out in heaven’s high
Hitting an all-time low

Time and again I tell myself
I’ll stay clean tonight
But the little green wheels are following me
Oh no, not again
I’m stuck with a valuable friend
I’m happy, hope you’re happy too
One flash of light but no smoking pistol

I never done good things
I never done bad things
I never did anything out of the blue, woh-o-oh
Want an axe to break the ice
Wanna come down right now

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know major tom’s a junkie
Strung out in heaven’s high
Hitting an all-time low

My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom

Boris Johnson tested positive for coronavirus

Boris Johnson tested positive for coronavirus
(Level: C1 / Upper-Intermediate to Advanced / ***)



You are gong to listen to a video message by PM Boris Johnson.

Photo credit : bbc.co.uk 

Before listening

The following words could be useful: 

to bring someone up to speed (something): to give someone the latest information about...      apporter une précision à quelqu'un pour qu'il comprenne

the wizardry of...  : the magic of... / magical influence  

The NHS (National Health Service): the healthcare system in the UK which is funded primarily by taxation and which provides free or low-cost healthcare to all legal residents in the UK.

The DWP: the Department for Work and Pensions

to comply with...: to act according to an order or a set of rules                                     se conformer à... 

to bounce back: to return quickly to a normal situation  rebondir / se remettre / se relever  

While listening 

Complete Boris Johnson's Tweet message (from BBC News)! 

You can also watch the Twitter video by clicking HERE

I want to  (1) .......   something that’s happening today. I’ve developed (2) ............... of the coronavirus, that’s to say a (3) ........

I’ve taken a test that has come out positive, so I’m working from home.

I’m (4) ....... and that’s entirely the right thing to do.

But be in no doubt that I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of modern technology, to communicate with all my top team, to lead (5) ....... against the coronavirus.

And I want to thank everybody that’s involved, I want to thank of course above all our amazing NHS staff. It was very moving last night to join in the national clap for the NHS. 

But it’s not just the NHS ; it’s our police, our social care workers, teachers, everybody who works in schools, the DWP staff. 

An amazing national effort by the public services, but also by every member of the British public (6) ........

An incredible response : (7) ....... people have volunteered to take part in a great national effort to protect people from the consequences of the coronavirus.

I want to thank you. I want to thank everybody who’s working to keep our country going through this epidemic, and we will get through it and the way we’re going to get through it is of course by  (8) ....... so much about and the more effectively we all comply with these measures, (9) ...... and the faster we will bounce back. 

So thank you to everybody who’s doing what I’m doing : working from home to stop the (10) ........

That’s the way we’re going to win ; we’re going to beat it and we’re going to beat it together. (11) ........

(1) .....................................................................

(2) .....................................................................

(3) .....................................................................

(4) .....................................................................

(5) .....................................................................

(6) .....................................................................

(7) .....................................................................

(8) .....................................................................

(9) .....................................................................

(10) ...................................................................

(11) ...................................................................

When you are finished, you can check your answers!

I want to (1)  bring you up to speed something that’s happening today.

I’ve developed  (2) mild symptoms of the coronavirus, that’s to say a (3) temperature and a persistent cough.

I’ve taken a test that has come out positive, so I’m working from home.

I’m (4) self-isolating and that’s entirely the right thing to do.

But be in no doubt that I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of modern technology, to communicate with all my top team, to lead  (5) the national fightback against the coronavirus.

And I want to thank everybody that’s involved, I want to thank of course above all our amazing NHS staff. It was very moving last night to join in the national clap for the NHS. But it’s not just the NHS ; it’s our police, our social care workers, teachers, everybody who works in schools, the DWP staff. An amazing national effort by the public services, but also by every member of the British public (6) who’s volunteering.

An incredible response : (7) 600,000 people have volunteered to take part in a great national effort to protect people from the consequences of the coronavirus.

I want to thank you. I want to thank everybody who’s working to keep our country going through this epidemic, and we will get through it and the way we’re going to get through it is of course (8)  by applying the measures that you’ll have heard so much about and the more effectively we all comply with these measures,  (9) the faster our country will come through this epidemic and the faster we will bounce back.

So thank you to everybody who’s doing what I’m doing : working from home to stop the (10)  spread of the virus from household to household. That’s the way we’re going to win ; we’re going to beat it and we’re going to beat it together.  (11) Stay at home and protect the NHS and save lives. 

Song 2: Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits)

Song 2: Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits)
(Level: C1 / Upper-Intermediate to Advanced / ***) 

Photo credit: rtbf.be   

You are going to watch a music video of Dire Straits' Sultans of Swing.

Dire Straits? 

to be in dire straits means to be in extreme, awful poverty. 

Dire Straits: a British band formed in 1977 by band leader Mark Knopfler (guitar and vocals), his brother David Knopfler (guitar), John Illsley (bass) and Pick Withers (drums). 

Although the band was formed in a period when punk rock reigned, Dire Straits worked within the conventions of "classic" rock with a sound that appealed to audiences.   

The band's most famous songs include: "Sultans of Swing", "Romeo and Juliet", "Money for Nothing", "Tunnel of Love", "Private Investigation", "Walk of Life" and “Brothers in arms”.

The commercial success of "Brothers in Arms" (song and album) in 1985 was mainly due to the fact it was the first fully digitally recorded album available in the (then) new Compact Disc format. Besides, it was considered a "must have" album in a limited range of available music in CD format.

A long period of inactivity followed this success during and six years later, Dire Straits' final studio album On Every Street was released in 1991. The singer would then decide to concentrate on solo projects and the band finally decided to call it quits in 1995.

Sultans of Swing" was Dire Straits' first single. It was first recorded as a demo in London and quickly acquired a real popularity after it was put in the rotation at Radio London. 

The song's story is that of the members of a working-class jazz group who only want to play their distinctive sound in a small London club, and don't care how popular they are.

Before watching

The following words could be useful:

to get a shiver: frissonner

the horns: les trompettes

the chords: les accords

to do alright: bien s'en sortir

a honky tonk is an American word for a bar where music, usually country music, is played. 

In the song: He can play the honky tonk like anything means he can play a honky tonk piano (in French: piano bastringue) that has been modified to alter the sound so as to make it more percussive. 

And when he plays it like anything means he does it really well.

to fool around: faire les imbéciles
They don't give a damn = they don't care   (Lit. Ils n'en ont rien à foutre!)

It ain't = It isn't

While watching

Watch, listen and read the lyrics. 

No question this time!  Enjoy the song!  

Watch the video by clicking HERE