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Listening

Music Video Lesson - Maroon 5 'She Will Be Loved'

Average: 4 (21 votes)

I can't believe this song is nearly ten years old! It's another song that tells a story, which as you know is my favourite type.

Read through the lyrics and try to guess which word goes in each gap. Then listen and see if you were right.

Lesson by Caroline Devane

Music Video Lesson - Sarah McLachlan 'Angel'

Average: 3.8 (16 votes)

Sarah McLachlan is a Canadian singer/songwriter known for her emotional music.

This song 'Angel' was released in 1997 and is one of her best known songs.

First, read through the lyrics and try to guess which word fits in which gap. Then listen and check your answers.

Note: Do you ever research the meanings of songs?

Websites such as wikepedia.org and songmeanings.net can give you a really fascinating insight into what the songs were written about.

Music Video Lesson - Michael Buble "Feeling Good"

Average: 3.7 (13 votes)

Here is another Michael Buble song for you to enjoy and learn from. In this lesson, I have removed vocabulary that is related to animals or the natural world.

I'm sure you will have come across many of these words before, but I hope some will be new.

What is the creature in the picture?

Good luck!

By Caroline

Music Video Lesson - John Legend

Average: 3.9 (16 votes)

I love a bit of easy-listening in the evening.

John Legend is a great artist to listen to on the weekend when you need to unwind and relax before the working week starts all over again!

Listen to this song and try and put the correct words in each gap.

Before you listen, try reading through the lyrics and guessing which words are missing.

Lesson by Caroline Devane

Listening to a speech

Average: 3.4 (46 votes)

Randy Pausch was an American professor who sadly passed away in 2008.

He was an extremely inspirational person, and through this video is very emotional I hope it will remind you of what is important in life.

Listen to the interview and try and fill in the gaps in the sentences.

I strongly recommend his lecture, ‘achieving your childhood dream’, which you can also find on youtube.
Lesson by Caroline Devane

Note: In English, 'the grim reaper' is another word for death.

Counting Crows - Big Yellow Taxi

Average: 4.1 (21 votes)

A blast from the past: Something or someone that returns after a period of absence. It is normally applied to things that were thought of fondly previously and are making a welcome return - particularly pop songs.

This song is definitely a blast from the past. It was originally written and sung by Joni Mitchell in 1970. It was then covered in 2002 by The Counting Crows, and this is the version you are going to listen to.

Music Lesson - Paloma Faith

Average: 4.6 (28 votes)

Paloma Faith is one of the few CD's I have in my kitchen and this song goes around and around in my head after I listen to it. It's so catchy! Listen to the song and try and complete the gaps with the vocabulary below. Before you listen, read through and guess which word you think fits in each gap.

Lesson by Caroline Devane

Listening: Marina and the Diamonds

Average: 3.2 (14 votes)

I think this song by Marina and the Diamonds has a really positive message.

Sometimes it can be really difficult to be everything that society expects of you.

We need to remember that we are only human and that we cannot please everyone.

Listen to the song and try and complete the gaps with the correct vocabulary.

What message do you hear when you listen to the song?
Lesson by Caroline Devane

Beyonce Song - Listen to the missing words

Average: 3.5 (28 votes)

Listen to this beautiful Beyonce song and fill the gaps with the correct vocabulary. You only need to listen to half the song to complete this exercise and I’ve given you the meanings of the words (as they are in the context of the song) to help you out. Good luck!
By Caroline Devane

From a Distance – elementary listening

Average: 3.9 (12 votes)

I have chosen a very old song this week by Bette Midler. The song is about how we all need to do more to make sure the world is a safe and happy place. Listen carefully and see if you can complete the gaps with the vocabulary below.
Lesson by Caroline Devane