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Listening: Teachers' Argument

Average: 3.2 (9 votes)

I chose to use this song for this week’s lessons due to the title. Of course, in reality, teachers never argue...ever. However, there is a massive difference to this lesson. Instead of filling in missing gaps, I’m going to give you some words and you need to find the synonyms (the words with the same meaning) in the lyrics. Good luck!
Lesson by Caroline


Synonyms

1. Regulations
2. Idiots
3. Trousers
4. Cared for
5. Determination
6. Celebrities
7. Inner city
8. Charisma
9. Hallway
10. Trust

"The Teachers' Argument" From Fame The Musical

MISS BELL
Artists are special celestial fools
first with the talent for breaking the rules
unfit for confinement in cubicle schools
artists are special

MISS SHERMAN
Artists are people not primitive fools
they learn what to do before breaking the rules
they know that the brain is the finest of tools
artists are people

BOTH
Whether in theatre or music or dance
they have to be given the chance

MISS BELL
to fly by the seat of their pants

MISS SHERMAN
to develop their minds, to be nurtured

BOTH
like plants

MISS SHERMAN
Artists are part of the same human race
as everyone else in the same bloody place
you learn to survive or you fall on your face
artist or not
artist or not

(spoken)
Greta, you know that 90% of these kids
will never make a living in the arts
we have to prepare them for life
or what's Tyrone gonna do if he can't make it as a dancer
mop floors?

MISS BELL
Tyrone will make it

(sung)
I've seen them come and go for all these years
kids with no talent for anything more than carrying spears
another year another shipment
lacking the drive or the style or the basic equipment
this one is different.

And i can see me there unremarkable me
the kid in the ballet class
the princess i wanted to be
tutu and pointe shoes
hair in a bun
completely unnoticed as if i were no-one

this one is different i tell you
this one can dance
this one is special i tell you
give him a chance

(spoken)
Tyrone will make it, he will

MISS SHERMAN
Fine, and i wish him luck
but this is an academic institution with academic standards
Oh i know,
we're the fame high school now
ever since that movie came out
they come here expecting to become stars
and you people think you run the show here
oh teach them to perform and who cares if they can read or write
who needs to write anyway
as long as they can sign their name on a contract

MISS BELL
and who are you?
defender of the true faith

MISS SHERMAN
Exactly!

(sung)
What did they tell me when i was a girl
Learn...
Day after day when i was a girl
Learn...
The land of dreams waits over the meadow
if you can find a way
out of the ghetto
learn, learn
put your faith in books
that will protect you
put your faith in books
and a mind of your own
neither charm or looks
will make them respect you
you must learn to stand
you must learn to stand alone

picture a little girl
in glasses and brace
a little starch dress at the end of the corridor
shes holding to walk waiting for the bell ring
praying for the day to end
forcing herself to go back to her class again
hearing her mamas words
put your faith in books

MISS BELL
this one is different

MISS SHERMAN
put your faith in books

MISS BELL
this one can dance

MISS SHERMAN
put your faith in books

MISS BELL
artists are special

MISS SHERMAN
artists are people

BOTH
this one must have the chance
this one must have the chance.

  • Regulations has the same meaning as
  • Idiots has the same meaning as
  • Trousers has the same meaning as
  • Cared for has the same meaning as
  • Determination has the same meaning as
  • Celebrities has the same meaning as
  • Inner city has the same meaning as
  • Charisma has the same meaning as
  • Hallway has the same meaning as
  • Trust has the same meaning as