Teaching idea with You Tube – 7 seconds

7 seconds is a fun way to get your students to first of all think like a native speaker song writer, and then to try and write like one. Before playing the clip, give them time to discuss the answer. You may like to get them to ‘bet’ on the answers.

David Bowie – All you pretty things.
You will hear seven seconds of an early song by David Bowie. Before you listen, discuss whether he will sing a), b) or c) in the gap.

Put another… (+5 words) .. I made some breakfast and coffee

a) record on the juke box, see.
b) log on the fire for me.
c) toast on the plate, Cherry.
Now play the video below from 00.36 to 00.43. (Though you may want to hear more)

Greg Lake – Still You Turn Me On.
You will hear seven seconds of an early song by Greg Lake (Of Emerson, Lake and Palmer). Before you listen, discuss whether he will sing a), b) or c) in the gap.

Do you wanna be an angel? Do you wanna (+3 words)
a) be a star?
b) live in heaven?
c) fly with me?
Now play the video below from 00.00 to 00.07. (Though you may want to hear more)

Joe Jackson – Is She Really Going Out With Him?
You will hear seven seconds of a song by Joe Jackson. Before you listen, discuss whether he will sing a), b) or c) in the gap.

From my window I’m staring while (+ 4 words)
a) my coffee goes cold.
b) my girl gets hot.
c) she paints her nails.
Now play the video below from 00.26 to 00.33. (Though you may want to hear more)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SPogGqCgeM&feature=related

Now it is up to your students to make more. They have to find a 7 second clip from you tube, write out some of the lyrics and leave a gap of between 3 and 5 words, then give three possible answers, one of which should be the real answer. Can they trick their classmates and, most importantly, can they trick you?

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