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Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani English, baby! Video Lesson

Date: Sep 03 2007

Themes: Music

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.

In a sense, Gwen Stefani has lived two public lives. In the mid ‘90s she was a hero to girls around the world as the singer for ska-punk sensations No Doubt. Now she’s an international pop star making hip hop-influenced dance music. It’s hard to achieve and maintain success in one musical genre, and since Stefani has made a name for herself in two, she must be something really special. Devan sure thinks so. Listen to her and Kevin talk about Gwen.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

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

Log in to Listen

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

Kevin

Kevin

Devan

Devan

Kevin:  I’ve had that, um, dun dun dun dun dun!...that Gwen Stefani song in my head all day.

Devan:  Oh, “The Sweet Escape”?

Kevin:  Yeah, I love the video. I think it’s really fun.

Devan:  What do you think of Gwen Stefani? Are you a fan?

Kevin:  You know, I really like her. I think she’s…

Devan:  Me too…

Kevin:  ...entertaining and poppy...

Devan:  Were you a fan of No Doubt?

Kevin:  I was a fan of No Doubt. I remember seeing them in concert. A lot of fun, great energy.

Devan:  I remember when “Just a Girl” came out, I was like 9 years old, and I was like, “This is the greatest thing…to music.” I was all revved up, like, “Girl power! Yeah!” I totally looked up to her. I obviously still do. That’s why I bleached my hair, because of Gwen Stefani.

Kevin:  Totally. Have you bought the album?

Devan:  I haven’t bought it yet. I don’t know…It’s a guilty pleasure. Her solo albums are guilty. When I was young, No Doubt meant a lot to me. I was real passionate because I thought they had a message, whereas now she’s just kind of making bubble gum pop junk, but it’s still catchy though.

Kevin:  It’s catchy, and she’s fun.

Devan:  She is fun.

Kevin:  And cute.

Devan:  And cute. I love Gwen Stefani.

 

Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

Kevin tells Devan that he can’t stop thinking of a particular Gwen Stefani song. Devan is able to identify the song by Kevin humming a couple of seconds of it. She asks Kevin if he was a fan of Stefani’s band, No Doubt. He says he saw them and thought they were good performers.

Devan tells Kevin that she was 9 years old when No Doubt first rose to fame and that she thought they were the greatest thing that had ever happened to music. She liked that the band had a message of strength and femininity.

Devan still looks up to Stefani and even styles her hair after her, but she says that her music doesn’t have the same message it used to. Now it’s just fun pop.

Do you prefer music with a message or pop music that just makes you feel good? What was the first band or artist that changed your life?

 

Comments

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helce

helce

China

I like her very much!

01:16 PM Sep 04 2007 |

dr.nokia

United Arab Emirates

nice

08:39 AM Sep 04 2007 |

renato.moura.b

Brazil

I cant really understand what this guy says… Perhaps because of his accent, which I may not be used to… or does he have a speech problem? lol! Still working on the latter… see you guys!Laughing

11:44 PM Sep 03 2007 |

spatriarca2004

Philippines

i love music because  it influences your mood,affects body and mind.some musics are very relaxing,others are inspiring.some are just fun to listen.Music reduces stress in our life,helps with healings process in our body.So let's live a healthy life free from stress and just simply enjoy world of music.

06:32 PM Sep 03 2007 |

ofosuhene

ofosuhene

Ghana

am a boy of 20 years and am a student.Also ma dad is Ghanas ambassador to China

04:52 PM Sep 03 2007 |

nguyentm

Viet Nam

Salsa over, where did you learn to dance salsa. i'd like it vey much. Could you tell me?

03:12 PM Sep 03 2007 |

nguyentm

Viet Nam

I hear music when I need relax or when I face the stress caused from my work. The softly songs always make me relax. So i;d like pop music also 

03:10 PM Sep 03 2007 |

Blue-Smile

Blue-Smile

Switzerland

I like music with a message UND makes feel me good. :-)

02:59 PM Sep 03 2007 |

zeus2006

zeus2006Super Member!

Turkey

Music is forever!!!!

02:38 PM Sep 03 2007 |

zeus2006

zeus2006Super Member!

Turkey

Music means life from past to future.We should listen to whichever music we want.It is useful for us.In Ottoman times doctors used to rehabilitate some illness especially psychoathes with musics (Turkish classic music).That's why no matter which kind music, just listen to music. :)Zeus

02:37 PM Sep 03 2007 |

naddito

naddito

Saudi Arabia

though i dont listen to music , i believe its not the matter that one should listen to one type.it depends on the mood

and i really like the lesson .it really adds to me

12:31 PM Sep 03 2007 |

boss4eva

boss4eva

United Arab Emirates

thats cool i l;ike pop music i live the music sorry guys im going to here some music

11:05 AM Sep 03 2007 |

danny_lary

danny_lary

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I really enjoyed her first album in no doubt and her first album in solo.

In her 2004 album she proved that she's very eclectic because she didn't sing only hip hop songs.

My favorite song was the one with Andre3000.

And Johnny, I think she's bleached. (sorry dude) 

10:32 AM Sep 03 2007 |

Johnny bai

Johnny bai

China

i prefer pop music now. The rhythm and melody of songs are what i enjoy, which is just the advantage of pop music. that's why I don't remember lyric of a song, but i can tell which the song is.

By the way, is color of Gwen's hair born? If true, it's really cool.

08:36 AM Sep 03 2007 |

salsalover

salsalover

China

In my opinion, we need both. Songs with message would bring us to perceive profoundly; pop music can make us relaxed. We need not only concern of the meaning but also entertainment. As for me, I prefer music with message which would give me strength. Actually, I like all kinds of music, such as punk, pop and classic. I also play some musical instruments and dance salsa. That is the great pleasure music brings to me.Smile

05:00 AM Sep 03 2007 |

Josh K

Josh K

Guatemala

coolest

12:10 AM Sep 03 2007 |

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