Song 11: Every Breath You Take (The Police)

Song 11: Every Breath You Take (The Police) 
(Level: B1 / Intermediate / **)

The Police
Photo credit: rfm.fr 

Before watching / listening

The following notes could be useful:

The Police were an English band formed in London in 1977 and consisting of Sting (singer, bass guitarist), Andy Summers (guitarist) and Steward Copeland (drummer, percussionist). The band disbanded in 1986 and reunited briefly in 2007 for a world tour. They released five studio albums that saw critical and commercial success. 

Every Breath You Take was their fifth UK number one hit and first one in the US. It was released on the 1983 and last studio album Synchronicity.

Vocabulary

a bond: a binding element     lien 
to fake: to simulate      
to ache: to hurt    faire mal 
to stake a claim: to claim something      revendiquer quelque chose 
  

While watching / listening

First watch the music video!  Click HERE

Then have a second listen and fill in the gaps with the missing words!

Every breath you take
_________________________
Every bond you break
_________________________
I’ll be watching you

Every single day
Every word you say
__________________________
Every night you stay
I’ll be watching you

Oh, can’t you see
_________________________
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take

Every move you make
_________________________
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I’ll be watching you

Since you’ve gone I been lost without a trace
_______________________________________
I look around but it’s you I can’t replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep crying baby, baby, please...

Oh, can’t you see
___________________________
How my poor heart aches
With every breath you take

Every move you make
_______________________
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I’ll be watching you

Every move you make
_______________________
I’ll be watching you

I’ll be watching you
I’ll be watching you
I’ll be watching you
   I’ll be watching you...

When you are finished, you can check your answers

Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I’ll be watching you

Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I’ll be watching you

Oh, can’t you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take

Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I’ll be watching you

Since you’ve gone I been lost without a trace
I dream at night I can only see your face
I look around but it’s you I can’t replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep crying baby, baby, please...

Oh, can’t you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every breath you take

Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I’ll be watching you

Every move you make
Every step you take
I’ll be watching you

I’ll be watching you
I’ll be watching you
I’ll be watching you
   I’ll be watching you...

Words you never learn at school (3) : British expressions to talk about ... sex

Words you never learn at school (3):  British expressions to talk about ... sex
(Level: B2 / Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate / ***) 

Kate Middleton was...  shocked... 
Photo credit: dailymail.co.uk 

Before watching / listening

You are going to watch a lesson by Leila and Sabrah from "Love English with Leila and Sabrah" focusing on some English expressions and words used to talk about sex. 

British people don't like talking about sex because they find that embarrassing. So they use euphemisms to simply replace words referring to any sexual behaviour.

Of course, as was the case in the previous two lessons - "Words you never learn at school (1) and (2) -  the F-word (F**k) is to be totally avoided because it is utterly vulgar! 

Vocabulary

cheeky: audacieux / coquin 
cuddly: câlin
casual: occasionnel  

While watching / listening

Now listen to Leila and Sabrah giving a few typically British English words and phrases used to refer to kissing and having sex. 

They are the sort of words you’ve never been taught at school ! 

Listen carefully and try to remember as much as you can!

You can also watch the video by clicking HERE

After watching / listening

Fill in the sentences with the missing words / phrases! 

How would you translate them in French? 

Write six ways to say: "They had sex the last time they saw each other". 

-
-
-
-

More informal: 
-
-


Write two ways to say: "When I saw them, they were kissing passionately". 

-
-
                                                                         

 Complete: 
Father to child: "It's about time we talk about ..............................................
(= les choses de la vie / les cigognes et les choux) 





When you are finished, you can check your answers.

Five ways to say: "They had sex the last time they saw each other". 
-They had rumpy-pumpy ...   (Ils ont fait une partie de jambes en l'air) 
-They had a nookie ( ... idem)
-They had hanky-panky (Ils ont fait des galipettes)
-They got it on  / they did it  (Ils l'ont fait) 
More informal
-They had a shag / they shagged. (Ils ont tiré un coup / ils se sont envoyés en l'air) 
-They got laid (idem) 


Two ways to say: "When I saw them, they were kissing passionately". 
-...they were having a snog / ...they were snogging   (Ils se bécotaient) 
-...they were having a smooch / ...they were smooching (Ils flirtaient)

Complete: 
Father to child: "It's about time we talk about the birds and the bees. 
(= parler des choses de la vie / de cigognes et de choux) 

Boris Johnson discharged from hospital

Boris Johnson discharged from hospital 
(Level: B1 / Intermediate / **) 

Boris Johnson
Photo credit: time.com 

You are going to watch a BBC breaking news story focusing on Prime Minister Johnson being discharged from hospital.

Before watching

The following words could be useful:

to pay tribute to: to do homage to       saluer / rendre hommage à 

to owe one's life: to be indebted to someone for one's life    devoir la vie à qn.

recovery: the process of becoming well again after an illness or an operation  convalescence 

A ventilator 
Photo credit : cnn.com 

It was of great concern: people felt worried a lot about....    se sentir très préoccupé / inquiet 

the Foreign Secretary: the minister in charge of how the country deals with the foreign nations       le ministre des Affaires Etrangères.  

to deputize:  to appoint / act as deputy ( = a second person in command when the superior is absent)       suppléer / remplacer 

to hold one's breath: to wait anxiously (until the situation gets better)   retenir son souffle 

unlikely: improbable 

to be sitting (for the Parliament):  to be in a meeting      être en session parlementaire 

Chequers: the Prime Minister's country residence
Picture credit: itv.com

Dominic Raab; First Secretary of State and
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Photo credit: standard.co.uk 

While watching

Are the following statements true or false?

Justify your answers! 

1. Boris Johnson was discharged from hospital after he'd spent a week in intensive care.

2. Boris Johnson is now back to 10 Downing Street.

3. He got oxygen treatment on a ventilator. 

4. It takes longer to recover for patients who go on a ventilator. 

5. The First Secretary of State is in charge of the government this week.

6. Boris Johnson's fiancée is six months pregnant.

7. British Parliament is about to gather soon in the House of Commons.

You can also watch the news video on BBC News You Tube by clicking HERE.

When you are finished, you can check your answers.

1. Boris Johnson was discharged from hospital after he'd spent a week in intensive care.
FALSE: He was discharged after one week in hospital and three nights in intensive care. 
Il est resté une semaine à l'hôpital, dont trois nuits passées aux urgences. 

2. Boris Johnson is now back to 10 Downing Street.
FALSE: He is now in Chequers, his country house. 
Il est dans sa résidence secondaire à la campagne (Chequers). 

3. He got oxygen treatment on a ventilator.
FALSE:  He got oxygen treatment but not on a ventilator. 
Il a bien été oxygéné mais n'a pas été placé sur un respirateur. 

4. It takes longer to recover for patients who go on a ventilator. 
TRUE. Patients who go on ventilators are more serious cases although the situation varies from patient to patient. 
Oui, les patients placés sur un respirateur sont des cas plus graves. Mais un cas n'est pas l'autre. 

5. The First Secretary of State is in charge of the government this week.
TRUE. 
D. Raab is First Secretary of State AND Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. 
D. Raab est le Premier Secrétaire d'Etat ET Ministre des Affaires Etrangères

6. Boris Johnson's fiancée is six months pregnant.
FALSE. She's seven months pregnant.
Elles est enceinte de 7 mois.

7. British Parliament is about to gather soon in the House of Commons.
FALSE. Due to social distancing, the MPs won't get together in the House of Commons. The sitting will be virtual...  It's not decided yet. 
Le Parlement va se réunir mais certainement pas à Westminster, dans la Chambre des Communes, vu les mesures de distanciation sociale...  
La session parlementaire sera sans doute virtuelle...   Des décisions doivent encore être prises sur la manière dont cela va se passer. 

Coronavirus: six ways the lockdown has changed the UK

Coronavirus: six ways the lockdown has changed the UK
(Level: B2 / Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate / ***)

You are going to read a BBC news article and have a look at some statistics.

A deserted Trafalgar Square
Photo credit: BBC news presenter Sophie Raworth

BBC's Sophie Raworth has been running to work to the BBC building since the beginning of the lockdown and has made pictures of some deserted London landmarks. If you want to see some more of her photographs, click HERE ! 




Before reading

Look at the heading of the article: "Coronavirus: six ways the lockdown has changed the UK" and answer the questions! 

1. How different do you think the UK is now because of the lockdown? What do you think the changes are?

2. What changes have you personally noticed since the beginning of the lockdown in your area / country? 

While reading

The following words could be useful:

places of worship = churches, mosques, synagogues, temples   lieux de culte  
the NHS : National Health Service = the publicly-funded healthcare system in the UK  
to cope: to face / manage / deal with (problems, difficulties)    gérer / s'en sortir

to go sky high: to increase considerably       atteindre un niveau jamais égalé 
flattening / to flatten: to crush / cut down on / stabilize       stabilisation 
to reach record highs:  to reach the highest records ever   atteindre des sommets / un niveau record 
A&E = Accident and Emergency Department     les services d'urgences 
dramatically: considerably / drastically       considérablement / radicalement / fortement  
footfall: the number of people going to shops or businesses at a particular time   fréquentation (de la clientèle) / nombre de clients 
universal credit: money paid to people with no income or very low income in the UK    revenu universel / allocation universelle 
to soar: to rise / to increase very quickly      monter en flèche 
a job seeker's allowance: the money paid to the unemployed people   allocation de chômage 
furlough: a temporary leave from work due to economic conditions e.g. ... chômage technique 
the self-employed: people who don't work for an employer but for themselves travailleurs indépendants
to make redundant: to sack         licencier / mettre au chômage 
the cut-off date: the last date on which it was possible to do something   date limite 
to be eligible: fit or proper to be taken into account    recevable / admissible 
a shortage of...: a lack of        manque de / pénurie 
a fortnight = a period of two weeks
a larder: a pantry / a place where food can be stored  cellier / garde-manger 
to slump: to decrease / to drop suddenly / to collapse   s'effondrer / chuter 
to dip: to slump       chuter   
to mute: to reduce 
to issue a fine / to fine: to impose a fine on     verbaliser  
a surge: an important increase    poussée / envolée  

Now read the article: what are the changes the lockdown has brought about in the UK since it started?  Make notes! 

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.


To read the article, click HERE


Does the article mention anything you thought about in the pre-reading  (Before reading) section? 

When you are finished, you can check your answers! 

Suggestions de réponses!

1.
Le confinement et  la distanciation sociale mis en place pour limiter la contamination et aider les hôpitaux à gérer les admissions aux urgences commencent à avoir un impact positif.
Même si on dénombre environ 5000 nouveaux cas par jour, les chiffres ne vont pas à la hausse...

Les Britanniques agissent aussi différemment vis-à-vis de leur système de soins de santé (NHS); ils respectent les consignes données et évitent donc de se précipiter aux urgences...
En revanche, le nombre d'appels au numéro d'urgence (111) explose.

2.
Beaucoup moins de déplacements
Tendance déjà perceptible avant même le déclenchement du confinement quand beaucoup de travailleurs s'étaient déjà mis au télétravail.
Diminution considérable de l'usage des moyens de transport en général (voitures; bus, trains, métro...) : -60%  entre début février et début avril.

3.
Forte diminution de la pollution de l'air
Le niveau du dioxyde d'azote a diminué d'environ 40% à l'échelle nationale par rapport à celui de l'an dernier à la même période de l'année. Dans certaines villes (Brighton; Portsmouth), c'est même 60% de moins!

4.
Forte augmentation des demandes d'allocations "universelles"
10 fois plus de demandeurs en une semaine qu'en tant normal, presque autant durant cette semaine que pendant les trois semaines précédentes (et donc surtout depuis le début du confinement).
Il s'agit essentiellement de personnes qui ne peuvent bénéficier des revenus octroyés par le gouvernement aux indépendants forcés d'arrêter leurs activités ou aux travailleurs en chômage technique...

5.
Chute drastique de la fréquentation des supermarchés / magasins ...depuis le confinement. 
Avant les mesures restrictives: 44% en moyenne de ventes en plus dans les supermarchés (par rapport à la même période l'an dernier) dus aux "incursions" des consommateurs craignant la pénurie de certains produits et les achats massifs pour stocker au maximum...
Depuis deux semaines:  - 7,5% de fréquentation des supermarchés / les gens sortent moins depuis le confinement / les congélateurs et celliers sont remplis /  les marchandises achetées sont plus des produits de longue conservation que des produits frais et raffinés...

Chute vertigineuse des achats de produits non alimentaires / des achats compulsifs.

Augmentation des achats en ligne.

6.
Violence conjugale / intrafamiliale en augmentation
25% d'appels en plus depuis le début du confinement.

Words you never learn at school (2) : swear words

Words you never learn at school (2):  swear words
(Level: B2 / Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate / ***) 

Picture credit: goodmenproject.com 

Before watching / listening

You are going to watch a lesson by Leila and Sabrah from "Love English with Leila and Sabrah" focusing on the use of some English swear words which are ranked as mild or a bit more offensive. 

Since every swear word in the English language has been ranked in order of offensiveness (mild, medium, strong, the strongest), there are definitely words you should never use. 
They are considered to be utterly vulgar, too rude and therefore totally inappropriate ("the strongest" category).

A good example of such a word that you may know is what the Brits call the F-word (F**k). So never use it or its derivatives (motherf****er  or f****ing)! 

Remember: these words should never be used as they are... too vulgar! 

Vocabulary

bollocks / balls:  alternative vulgar words for "testicles".
Fudge: a type of confectionery made with milk, butter, sugar and flavouring... 
  

Fudge
Picture credit: greatbritishchefs.com

While watching / listening

Now listen to Leila and Sabrah giving an interesting array of "socially acceptable" swear words the Brits usually use. 

They are the sort of words you’ve never been taught at school ! 

Listen carefully and try to remember as much as you can!

Click HERE to watch!

After watching / listening

Fill in the sentences with the missing words / phrases! 

They all express how frustrated you are! 

Oh ...............................  !   I forgot my keys at work! 
     ................................ !
     ................................ !
     ................................ !
     ................................ ! 
     .................................!
     .................................! 

........................!  I'm leaving!  (That's enough! I'm fed up with waiting in this queue!)

 We watched a film on TV last night! It was ......................! (It was rubbish!) 
 What a ........................ film that was! 







When you are finished, you can check your answers!


(Oh)  crap!                                                       I forgot my keys at work! 
        bloody hell!
        shit!     shite!

        my God!    my gosh!    my days!
        fiddlesticks!      fudge!
        balls!     bollocks! 
        bugger!   bugger it!             

Sod it! I'm leaving...  

We watched a film on TV last night! It was crap! 
What a crappy film that was! 

        

Song 10: Lullaby (The Cure)

Song 10: Lullaby (The Cure) 
(Level: B2 / Upper-Intermediate / ***)

The Cure
Photo credit: virginradio.fr

Before watching / listening

The following notes could be useful:

The Cure are an English rock band formed in 1978 with Robert Smith (songwriter ; lead vocalist ; guitarist) as the only constant member.

The band's debut album,Three Imaginary Boys (1979), placed the band in the new wave movement. With the second (17 Seconds – 1980) and third (Faith – 1981) albums, the band adopted a darker and more tormented style before they turned to more commercial pop music. 

So far, the band have released 13 studio albums and some live albums. Their 14th studio album is due to come out in 2020.  

If you want to get more details about The Cure, get to their OFFICIAL SITE

Lullaby is a 1989 single from the album Disintegration.

If a lullaby is meant to soothe children, or lull them to sleep, this one is sinister as it is about the march of a monster or giant spider ...  

Vocabulary

a lullaby: a song to calm / lull children to sleep       berceuse

candy-stripe(d) legs: legs with stripes (like on candy / sweets)  

          jambes rayées comme des bonbons 

blissfully: wonderfully / happily 

to shiver: shake or tremble uncontrollably as a result of cold or fear     frissonner  

fright: fear   peur / angoisse 

While watching / listening

First watch the music video.  Click HERE

Then have a second listen and fill in the gaps with the missing words!

On candystripe legs the spiderman comes
Softly through the shadow of the ___________________
Stealing past the windows of the blissfully dead
Looking for the victim ___________________
Searching out fear in the gathering gloom

And suddenly a movement ________________________!

And there is nothing I can do

When I realise with fright

That the spiderman is _________________________

Quietly he laughts and shaking his head

Creeps closer now

__________________________

And softer than shadow and quicker than flies

His arms are all around me and _______________________

"Be still, be calm, be quiet now my precious boy

Don't struggle like that or I will only love you more

For it's much too late ________________________

The spiderman is _______________________

And I feel like I'm being eaten

By a thousand million shivering furry holes

And I know that in the morning I wall wake up

In the shivering cold

And the spiderman ________________________

When you are finished, you can check your answers.

On candystripe legs the spiderman comes
Softly through the shadow of the evening sun
Stealing past the windows of the blissfully dead
Looking for the victim shivering in bed.
Searching out fear in the gathering gloom

And suddenly a movement in the corner of the room!

And there is nothing I can do

When I realise with fright

That the spiderman is having me for dinner tonight.

Quietly he laughts and shaking his head

Creeps closer now

Closer to the foot of the bed

And softer than shadow and quicker than flies

His arms are all around me and his tongue in my eyes

"Be still, be calm, be quiet now my precious boy

Don't struggle like that or I will only love you more

For it's much too late to get away or turn on the light

The spiderman is having you for dinner tonight. 

And I feel like I'm being eaten

By a thousand million shivering furry holes

And I know that in the morning I wall wake up

In the shivering cold

And the spiderman is always hungry. 

Words you never learn at school (1): swear words

Words you never learn at school (1): swear words 

(Level: B2 / Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate / ***) 

Picture credit: daily.jstor.org 

Before watching / listening

You are going to watch a lesson by Leila from "Leila and Sabrah You Tube Channel" (Love English with Leila and Sabrah) focusing on the use of some English swear words which are ranked as mild or a bit more offensive. 

Every swear word in the English language has indeed been ranked in order of offensiveness (mild, medium, strong, the strongest). 

There are definitely words that should never be used because they are utterly vulgar, too rude or totally inappropriate ("the strongest" category).

A good example of such a word that everyone knows is the F-word (F**k) and its derivatives like motherf****er or f****ing !   

They should never be used as they are the most vulgar words. 

Vocabulary

bollocks: a vulgar word for testicles

to catch one's drift: to see what someone means    

     Do you catch my drift? = Do you understand what I mean?  

While watching / listening

Now listen to Leila who is giving an interesting array of milder,  socially acceptable and commonly used English swear words.

They are the sort of words you’ve never been taught at school ! 

Listen carefully and try to remember as much as you can! 

You can find more videos from Love English with Leila and Sabrah by clicking HERE

After watching / listening

Fill in the sentences with the missing words / phrases! 

More than one answer is sometimes possible! 

They went on a drinking spree. Obviously they were ............................................ (= their intention was really to get drunk (or get ...............................).

She slams doors when she's ..............................  (= angry). 

Oh, .................................................., I can't believe I forgot to phone her. 

We spent a .................................   awful holiday.

The boss told her off  for being late again = The boss ................................................for being late again. 

........................................!  You're saying you didn't get my texts! I don't believe you! 

........................................!  (a milder and more socially acceptable phrase for: "Piss off!" or "F***k off!").

I bought this new gadget! It's absolutely ...................................  ( = amazing / great...) !

I've been trying to call the ministry all day long!  I've had enough of it!  ..........................! 

She's been chatting on Messenger all evening: she's done .......................... (= nothing).

Their concert I attended last year was ......................................  (the best ever).

When you are finished, you can check your answers!

They went on a drinking spree. Obviously they were on the piss (= their intention was really to get drunk (or get pissed).

She slams doors when she's pissed off  (= angry). 

Oh, bloody hell / bleeding hell /  bollocks ...   , I can't believe I forgot to phone her. 

We spent a bloody awful holiday.    

"Bloody" as an intensifier (before an adjective); but also as an adjective in: We spent a bloody holiday. 

Also: We spent a bleeding / blinking / blooming / sodding...  (awful) holiday.

The boss told her off  for being late again = The boss gave her a bollocking for being late again. 

Bollocks!  You're saying you didn't get my texts! I don't believe you! 

Sod off! (a milder and more socially acceptable phrase for: "Piss off!" or "F***k off!").

I bought this new gadget! It's absolutely bollocks ( = amazing / great...) !

I've been trying to call the ministry all day long!  I've had enough of it!  Sod it! 

She's been chatting on Messenger all evening: she's done sod all (= nothing).

Their concert I attended last year was the dog's bollocks (the best ever).