人教课标版 高一必修 2 Unit 5

Do you want to form your own band to take part in the music festival?

Form your own band in groups of six. Decide who will play what instrument and who will sing. Decide the name of your band and what kind of band you will be. For example, will you be a rock band, or a small group of singers? Then, choose an English song for your “band” to perform.

You may find this song on the internet or on some of your own tapes or CDs. Practise singing your song to the music and then perform to the class. This may be just the beginning for you and your band!

Sample dialogue: S1: What music shall be performed in our band? I like folk music. What about you? S2: I’d like to suggest Chinese folk music. I like it very much. What do you all think?

S3: I don’t mind what music we choose as long as I don’t have to sing. I think we should pretend to play an instrument. Maybe I can bring in my brother’s guitar. S4: Yes. That sounds good but let me say that I don’t like to sing in public so I think we should have a backing group that supports the main singer. What do you think?

S1: Who’s the best singer here? S2: I’m in the school choir. S3: Me too. Why don’t we sing a Chinese folk song together with a guitar and one backing singer. S1: It’s OK by me. S4: Now all we have to do is to choose the song. Let’s make a list of our favourites …

Writing for practical purpose: Asking for advice 1). I would be grateful if you could give me some advice. 2). How can I … Useful expressions for asking for advice and suggestions.

3). What can you suggest? 4). I would appreciate your reply offering some suggestions. 5). Do you have some good advice on … 6). Does anyone has any tips on … 7). I can’t decide whether … 8). I would like to know how can I …

9). I am a little bit confused. I am looking forward to receiving your advice letter and thank you in advice. 10). I really don’t want to bother you, but … Would you offer me some advice?

Write an to Freddy for his advice on how to make your band successful. Try to use the useful expressions for asking for advice and suggestions we have mentioned before.

Dear Freddy: My name is Li Hua. I’m beginning a band with my friends. However, we have never been in a band before. Could you please give us some advice? I would like to know what music to play and we cannot decide. Sample letter

I like pop music but most of my friends like rock ‘n’ roll. Liu Mei likes rap. How are we to decide what to play? Do you suggest we play a little of all of these types of music? Or should we only play one kind of music? How did you and your friends decide what to play?

We hope you can give us some advice. Yours hopefully, Li Hua

In groups of four discuss these questions and make notes of your ideas (P69).

1. Do you believe in the “Mozart effect”? Why or why not? 2. Have you ever experienced it? Give an example. 3. Do you think it also works with other kinds of music such as pop music? Give reasons.

S 1 : I’ve never felt the “Mozart effect”, have you? S 2 : Well, I find I feel calmer if I’m worried about my work. It makes me feel more optimistic. S3: That’s interesting because I attach great importance to listening to music. I find that I listen to a Sample dialogue

particular CD when I feel sad. Music always makes me feel more confident about life and my problems. S 4 : Is that a CD of classical music? I don’t appreciate that kind of music at all. I prefer pop music. It makes me feel more cheerful and energetic.

S 3 : No, actually it isn’t classical music but it does change my mood. S 1 : However, the “Mozart effect” is supposed to improve your memory. Have any of you noticed anything like that?

S 4 : Not really! S 3 : Not really! S 2 : Well, I find that if I try and learn English vocabulary while listening to music, it helps me. Do you think that’s what the “Mozart effect” is? S 1 : No, not really. However, it does seem as if we believe in the “Mozart effect”, even though none of us have experienced it!

Speaking task on P74 Discuss which kinds of musician/singer/ composer/conductor you prefer. Choose your favourite. Write down briefly what you know about him or her: why you chose him/her and which part of his/her music you prefer. Make notes in the chart below to help you remember what you are going to say.

Sample dialogue S1: I like Chinese folk music, do you? I love The Butterfly Lovers. That’s so romantic and I enjoy listening to it so much. S2: I like Western pop songs. The Beatles are one of my favourites. When I hear their music it makes me feel so happy. I always smile.

S1: I don’t know their music at all. S2: Well, they are a band of four young men called John, Paul, George and Ringo. I really like their songs. They sing songs about life. My favourite song is Yesterday. It makes me feel so sad.

S1: I didn’t realize that they wrote that. I love that song. S2: Their music has a haunting quality which keeps it in your mind. The tunes are so pretty and the songs are so different. That’s what makes their music so interesting.

S1: I think I’ll try and find some of their music too. I think I’d enjoy listening to them to. S2: Have we finished? Would you like to fill in your notes and practise your speech now?

The Beatles Today I am going to talk about my favorite Western band --- the Beatles. There were four members of this band: their names were John, Paul, George and Ringo. The song that they wrote which I really love is Yesterday. It has such a beautiful tune and always makes me feel a little sad. Writing task P74 Sample writing

I got to know their music when I saw them on television. They seemed so kind and friendly to their fans. They had such a good sense of humor too. Their songs seem to talk about things that I feel strongly about like growing old or being lonely. Their music is always so beautiful. It makes me feel happy and sad at the same time.

I think that they are an exceptional band who produced outstanding music. I hope you will enjoy listening to this song which I am going to play…