English, baby!

Michael Jackson, R.I.P.

Date: Jun 29 2009

Themes: News

Grammar: Future Progressive Tense

Go Super!

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

Go Super to Listen

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Go Super to Listen

Michael Jackson was truly “The King of Pop.” He was officially the most successful entertainer of all time. He died last week. He was only 50 years old.

As soon as the news came out that Jackson had passed on, people began playing his music everywhere. Jackson’s pop songs could be heard coming from every car and every storefront. Some radio stations played nothing but Michael Jackson for the rest of the day. Even though Jackson has had health issues for a long time (you might notice in recent photos his skin is pale, not the brown color he was born with), people were surprised he died so young.

Though he hadn’t made an album since 2001 and had battled accusations of sexual abuse of children for many years, Jackson had planned to return to performing soon. Listen to Jason and Devan talk on the phone the day after Jackson’s death.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Jason

Devan: Hey, how’s it going?

Jason: Uh, good. What are you up to tonight?

Devan: Oh, I’m on my way to go get a drink at the bar because I’m so sad.

Jason: About what? What happened to you?

Devan: Michael Jackson died!

Jason: Oh, that.

Devan: What do you mean, “Oh that”?

Jason: Well, like, Michael Jackson, the one that I love, was kind of already dead, you know what I mean?

Devan: But he was about to make this huge comeback. He had 50 concerts scheduled in London and he was going to redeem his crown as “The King of Pop” again. I feel like he still had a second wind in him.

Jason: Yeah, it’s true. It’s pretty sad that his life had to end at such a low point, $400 million in debt…

Devan: But I think he could have gotten it back again. He was such a talented guy. And for all of his troubles and all the weird plastic surgery and scandal and everything else, I think his talent conquered all and his music, that’s something that’s going to be played forever. I think our grandchildren will be dancing to Thriller.

Jason: I don’t know. Have you heard the reports that he was skin and bones when he died? That’s not really something a nose job can fix.

Devan: Yeah, that’s true. Maybe it’s best that he died with the belief that he was going to make a big comeback without trying and failing. That probably would have been worse.

Jason: Oh wow, I hadn’t even thought of that. But the best thing would have been if he could have done those shows in London.

Devan: Yeah, his last hurrah. It’s a shame. Anyway, if you want to come get a drink with us and have a toast to Michael, you should.

Jason: OK, let’s do it. “Don’t stop till you get enough.”

Devan: OK.

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Future Progressive Tense" from this lesson

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3

Go Super to Ask Ebaby! teachers your questions!

The iTEP^® test

Sponsored by

Schedule an iTEP^® test and take the official English Practice Test.
Take Now >

Discussion

Go Super to Listen

“R.I.P.” stands for “rest in peace.” It commonly appears on tombstones. Michael Jackson led an exciting and sometimes tortured life. But now he is at peace.

Devan is upset that Jackson is dead. But Jason says that, after endless plastic surgery and charges of sexual abuse, Jackson has long been dead to him. Nonetheless, Devan and Jason agree that Jackson made some great music, particularly Thriller, the best-selling album of all time. So Jason quotes a famous Michael Jackson lyric and he and Devan agree to have a drink in honor of the star’s death.

How did you feel when you found out “The King of Pop” was dead? What’s your all-time favorite Michael Jackson song?

Comments

< Previous
21 through 40 of 112
Next >
1 2 3 4 ... 6

Daniel Jean Claude

Haiti

He really was one of a kind, and we will miss him for ever. May He heaven wald safely!

R.I.P Mike.

We love you.

fabricio1789@hotmail.com

Brazil

Take with him your phenomenal moonwalker step…because no one else will be capable to do like you!

R.I.P with all my due respect!

Fabrício from Brazil,born August 17,(1989)

sOsO@

Saudi Arabia

nothing to say

ewkaa

Poland

rest in peace MJ.

He was the best. King of Pop. <33

We loved us so much.

ivin

Taiwan

Michael Jackson will always be remembered by all music lovers across the world.<!~~-Session data~~-><!~~-Session data~~->

katerinka_25

Poland

yeah, it's still sad for me that Michael passed away, he was really great artist. but all the news about the funeral and the mess with his kids, and so on, and those tickets for the funerall!!PEOPLE WHO SELLS TICKETS FOR FUNERAL!!! it's not normal!!!

TATIANAANGEL22

Spain

He was an original artist, an hero definitely the king of pop..THE BEST OF ALL TIME.

stevenjojo

United States

He was a hero and god called from many artist perfomers. He had changed many things such as jenre of music since 1980 and had affected style of music and fashion. After he died, his song are coming out from the many storefront and cars and even when we stay at home we can here his songs on many stations. I think he really wanted to make a comeback and expected to have new concert wuld take place in england to get second wind since 2001, he had been draged to court of judges to be judged and charged with sexual abuse but that was a tiny .. triwial thingks i things he already got over it and eagered to get new fame from fans and manys… He died but his reputation and hismany hit songs will be being ours forever.. I love MICHEAL JACKSON!!

Ceccia

Italy

Poor Michael. It’s really sad… But now he had only to rest in peace forever, with the person that he loved. Protect us from the sky, Michael.

M GH

Syrian Arab Republic

It is right that life lost such a special person but it made him a myth that every one will talk and listen about

ReEno_94

Jordan

(August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer and businessman. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he made his debut as an entertainer in 1968 as a member of The Jackson 5. He then began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group, and that successful career led to him being dubbed the "King of Pop"[2] in subsequent years. Jackson's 1982 album Thriller remains the world's best-selling album of all time,[3] and four of his other solo studio albums are among the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and popular music and culture. He was the first African American entertainer to amass a strong MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and "Thriller"—widely credited with transforming the music video from a promotional tool into an art form—helped bring the relatively new channel to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made Jackson an enduring staple on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop music and contemporary R&B artists across several generations.

Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for beneficial causes through his Heal the World Foundation, charity singles, and support of 39 charities. Other aspects of his personal life, including his often changing appearances and eccentric behavior, generated significant controversy that damaged his public image. Though he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, the criminal investigation was closed due to lack of evidence and Jackson was not charged. The singer had experienced health concerns since the early 1990s along with conflicting reports regarding the state of his finances since the late 1990s. Jackson married twice and fathered three children, actions which caused further controversy. In 2005, during Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records—including one for "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"—thirteen Grammy Awards, thirteen number one singles in his solo career, and the sale of 750 million records worldwide.[4] At the time of his death, Jackson was preparing for The O2 arena in London, beginning July 13, 2009.

11:37 PM Jul 04 2009 |

Like

lgmia

China

this lesson reminds me of the moon walk ,and that could be such a long time since i was a child

when i practice the moonwalk,MJ you're talented guy

you are not alone in the paradise

anima281

Germany

yeh I’m sure babe

anima281

Germany

I don't like Michael Jackon. He abbused children and he was in drugs. He was crazy to think he can change his skin's colour.

Really, everyone dies. When I was writing this comment two people died. And they? We didn't remember they like Michael Jackson. Why? If we are equal why we have different treatment?

xoxo