Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
We often think of pop stars as divas who don’t like to share the spotlight with anybody else. But for the right cause, some of the biggest names in the music industry are willing to put aside any differences they might have and work together.
The song “We Are the World” was first recorded in 1985, and the money it earned was used to fight hunger in Africa. Stars like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel all came together to make the song. Not everyone thought the song was a great musical achievement, but it did end up raising over 63 million dollars in humanitarian aid.
After the major earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, artists got together once more to record a new version of the song. This time, musicians as weirdly diverse as Wyclef Jean, Carlos Santana, and Taylor Swift performed the song, and all the proceeds will go to help the people of Haiti. Find out what Dale and Ella think about “We Are the World 25 for Haiti.”
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.
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Dale: Did you grow up with the “We Are the World” song from 1985?
Ella: No, no, not at all. I wasn’t born yet.
Dale: You weren’t born yet, wow. That actually is a shocker. I was probably about 12 at the time, and it’s actually one of those things that is still stuck in my head. It’s been one of the best things that were done as a collaborative group by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson.
Ella: So, I don’t understand how this really benefits...you know, it’s a humanitarian song, but like does all the money go to charity or how does that work? Is it just a song about helping people? What’s the deal?
Dale: It is…when artists get like this get together, any sales from it goes directly toward the country or…at that time it was Africa, this time it’s gonna be Haiti. Every time that song comes up, I remember exactly the time, what it was for, and why everybody was doing it. And the video was where it was so powerful, and I’m sure this time it’s gonna be the same.
Ella: I don’t know if I’m looking forward to seeing Lil Wayne.
Dale: The good thing is when you have Lil Wayne and then you have Janet Jackson and Celine Dion on the same stage that’s…
Ella: Oh yeah, that’s true, that’s going to be a little insane.
Dale: That’s where it becomes a interesting sight.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Verbs with "ing"" from this lesson 
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
Discussion
Ella isn’t very familiar with the 1985 version of “We Are the World” because she wasn’t born yet when it came out. But Dale remembers the song very well. He thinks it is a great song and he was impressed by how many artists came together to help make it.
The new version of “We Are the World” is a collaborative effort from a bunch of different artists, including Celine Dion and Lil Wayne. Dale and Ella agree that having such different musicians contributing to the same song is pretty interesting.
All the money that is earned by “We Are the World 25 for Haiti” will be donated to charities that are providing humanitarian aid to Haiti after the terrible earthquake it experienced earlier this year.
Do you remember the original version of “We Are the World”? How does it compare to the new one? What are some other things people can do to help Haiti, Chile, and other countries in need of humanitarian aid?
Comments
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