"Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things."

Flora Lewis

SING A SONG "RATHER BE" BY PENTATONIX

BEFORE LISTENING

Task 1. Listen to the original version of the song 'Rather Be' and say how you understand the main idea. What, to your mind, is the role of the video clip. Does it match the lyrics?

Task 2. How do you translate the title of the song into your language? How do you understand the grammar notion 'RATHER DO smth*'?

would rather do = 'd rather ... = rather.. - would prefer to do smth

Use Longman Dictionary to have a closer look at the usage of 'rather'.

 VOCABULARY

1. You may use a monolingual dictionary to help you better understand the meanings of the words you do not know or are not sure about.

e.g.

- to stake something out (phrasal verb) - to watch a place secretly and continuously [↪ stakeout]

- exalted (adj) - having a very high rank and highly respected

2. You may use a bilingual dictionary (that provides with a suitable translation into your language).

- to be a thousand miles from smth/smb - бути за тисячі кілометрів від когось, чогось

- to take the chance - скористатись можливістю

- to give smb a chance - дати комусь можливість, шанс (один)

- to stroll casually - спокійно прогулюватись, не поспішаючи

- to find one's inner peace - віднайти свою внутрішню гармонію, душевний спокій

- as long as - доти, до того часу...

- there's no place - немає такого місця

- I would ... - я б ...

- my heart continues to beat - моє життя продовжується (відповідно до контексту)

- with every step we take - з кожним подихом (відповідно до контексту)

- It's a shot in the dark - спроба навмання, як пальцем в небо 

- know with all of your heart - серцем відчувати, нутром

- you can't shake me - мене не зламати

- everlasting - що триває вічність, дуже довго

- incomplete - недовершений, незавершений

- sacred - священий, святий, дорогий серцю (відповідно до контексту)

LISTENING

Listen to the song and underline the words that might be new for you.

***

We're a thousand miles from comfort, we have traveled land and sea
But as long as you are with me, there's no place I'd rather be
I would wait forever, exalted in the scene
As long as I am with you, my heart continues to beat

With every step we take, Kyoto to The Bay
Strolling so casually
We're different and the same, get you another name
Switch up the batteries

If you gave me a chance I would take it
It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it
Know with all of your heart, you can't shake me
When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be
N-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be

We staked out on a mission to find our inner peace
Make it everlasting so nothing's incomplete
It's easy being with you, sacred simplicity
As long as we're together, there's no place I'd rather be

When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be, yeah

When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be

AFTER LISTENING

Think over the questions suggested below.

1. How do you find the 'mood' of the song? Does it match your current feelings?

2. Do you think the author of the song has found his/her inner peace? Why? Why not? Find statements in the lyrics to prove your ideas.

3. Do you know the feeling of inner peace? What is your secret to it? 

4. How do you understand the phrase 'sacred simplicity'? What is it for you?

5. Do you agree that things can be everlasting? Why? Why not?

 

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