Ellie Goulding - Army
topic: friendship
0. Warmer:
1. Ask the group: Does everybody have a best friend? Have you ever thought about why your best friend likes you?
2. Explain them their task: they will have to form statements the following way: I like my best friend, (their own name), because he/she is (ask them to say 3 characteristics).
3. Ask them to share their statements with the rest of the group.
(Note: It is a quick task and no material is needed, just to mention the most important features of this activity. Moreover, it functions as an icebreaker – it gives an opportunity for students to open up a bit, it can be an ego-booster, it strengthens their confidence. It also gives a chance to students to get to know each other a bit better. However, it has a drawback; if you have introverted students they might not say positive sentences about themselves or refuse to participate in this activity. Try to avoid this kind of situation by stating they should only say positive statements about themselves.)
1. 1st listening (watching):
Who is that YOU in the song? Who is addressed in the song?
Why is the song called "Army"?
What are the different scenes in the clip?
2. Vocabulary
Read the lyrics and fill it in with the right words from the box. (pre-teach any vocabulary if necessary)
"Ellie Goulding - Army"
I know that I've been (1)_____________ You never let me (2)_____________ All the nights and the fights And the blood and the breakups You're always there to (3)__________ I'm a pain, I'm a child, I'm afraid But yet you (4)_____________ Yeah like no one can Know that we don't look like much But no one fucks it up like us 16 and you never even (5)____________ me Matter of fact I always thought you were too cool for me Sitting there in the caravan All the nights we've been drunk on the floor And yet you understand Yeah like no one can We both know what they say about us But they don't (6)_______________ because Chorus: When I'm with you (x2) I'm standing with an army (x2) When I'm with you (x2) I'm standing with an army (x2) Dark times, you could always find (7)_________________ I'm amazed by the things that you would (8)_______________ Just to be there for me How you cringe when you sing out of tune But yet it's everything So don't change a thing We both know what they say about us But they don't stand a chance because Chorus x1 Standing with an army (x8) Yet you understand Yeah like no one can We both know what they say about us Chorus x1 They don't have a chance because Standing with an army x12
1. Fill in the lyrics with the right phrases/words.
the bright side
understand
give up
call up
sacrifice
judged
stand a chance
messed up
3. 2nd listening
Listen to the song and check your answers.
4. Discussion part 2
a. What makes a good friend? What qualities are important in a friend?
b. How is a "best friend" different from a "friend"?
c. Are you good at maintaining friendships from your past?
d. For what reasons can we lose our friends?
e. What are the secrets of an eternal friendship ?
f. Describe your best friend or a good friend you have.
5. Discussion part 2 - Ellie Goulding on the song
Here's what the singer said about why she wrote the song.
Answer the questions.
What important moments did you experience together with your best friend?
If you had to re-shoot this video clip - with images of your friendship, what kind of scenes would you include?
6. Conversation part 3 - Comment on the following memes:
6- HOMEWORK
Write a blog-entry about your friendship with your best friend. What are you the most grateful for?
7. PROJECT
Shoot a new video clip for the song. You and your best friend should star in it!
