Journal 1

In our classes, we´ve been working with musics. For me it´s a good way to improve the vocabulary and the critical sense. I think it can help us to understand the musics and notice what is through the lyrics.  


Doing parodies can awake in ourselves the humor sense and creativeness. This kind of activity help me a lot, because I can enriche my vocabulary and develop my imagination.

The Boxer - Simon and Garfunkel

I´am just a poor boy and my story is seldom told

I´ve squandered my resistance for a pocketful of mumbles, such are promises
All lies and jest, still the man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest, hmmmm
When I left my home and my family, I was no more than a boy
In the company of strangers
In the quiet of the railway station, runnin scared
Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters, where the ragged people go
Looking for the places only they would know

Li la li...

Asking only workmans wages, I come lookin for a job, but I get no offers
Just a comeon from the whores on 7th avenue
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there
Now the years are rolling by me, they are rockin even me
I am older than I once was, and younger than Ill be, thats not unusual
No it isnt strange, after changes upon changes, we are more or less the same
After changes we are more or less the same

Li la li...


And Im laying out my winter clothes, wishing I was gone, goin home
Where the new york city winters arent bleedin me, leadin me to go home
In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him
Til he cried out in his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains
Yes he still remains

Li la li...

Characters

• Family
• Strangers
• Whores
• Ragged People

Another Brick in the Wall - Pink Floyd

We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave those kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

We analysed this lyric and noticed that are so much metaphors like:

•  Pigs - Politicians
• A hammer and a billhook - Comunism Symbol
• People - Used to show that human being don´t have any importance. We can see it in this part of the lyric: " All in all you're just another brick in the wall."
• Wall - Berlim Wall
• Kids - Revolt

Parody

Another Kid in the Mall

We don't need no reputation

We are out of control

We don't want to stay in the bedroom

Parents, we don't need to stay home

Hey! Parents! We don't need to stay home

'Cause we are another kid in the mall
'Cause we are just another kid in the mall

We don't need no introductions
We are here to have control
You don't need to stay in the bedroom

Kids, you need to stay home
Hey! Kids! You need to stay home


'Cause you are another kid in the mall
'Cause you are just another kid in the mall

The Practise of English Language Teaching

Writing

Written text has a number of conventions wich separate it out from speaking. We need to take care of some points in our texts: handwriting, spelling, layout, punctuation.


Handwriting: The tacher may help the students how to improve their handwriting. The teacher can write sentences for students imitate that writing, but they will have a personal style.


Spelling: The students are used to write the way they speak. It´s a problem because in English we don´t write the same way. There is a difference between American English and British English, it can confuse the student. It´s necessary to foccus on a particular varierty of English.


Layout and Punctuation: Frequently the punctuation is a personal style of writing. As teachers we need to help them how to use the punctuation following the grammar rules. We can show them different types of letters, like: business letter, comercial letter, etc.


Different approaches to the practise of writing skills both in and outside the classroom:

• The student may write a draft first and then a final text after reviewing it.
• The student read an article and after write with their own words what thay understood about it.
• Creative writing: poetry, stories and plays. According to Gaffield - Vile, creative writing is a journey of self-discovery.
• Using the coomputer: e-mails, pen-pals, etc.
• Writing lessons sequences: Students can look at the pictures and then write a story about it.
• Dictations 

What is a parody?

A parody exists when one imitates a serious piece of work, such as literature, music or artwork, for a humorous or satirical effect. Parody, as a method of criticism, has been a very popular means for authors, entertainers and advertisers to communicate a particular message or point of view to the public.