Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
Gossip

Gossip

Date: Sep 14 2009

Themes: Alternative

Grammar: Simple Past Tense

Intro

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

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

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

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

If rock n’ roll is about defying conventions and taking a stand, then Beth Ditto, lead singer of the band Gossip, is a true rocker. She is an advocate for gay rights, and she’s outspoken about beauty coming in all shapes and sizes.

Ditto is a controversial figure. But she’s also a talented musician. Gossip’s sound is a unique blend of soul, funk, and punk. The band has a new album filled with catchy, danceable songs. Listen to Marni and Devan gossip about Gossip.

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.

Ella

Ella

Marni

Marni

Ella:  The Gossip is such a great band.

Marni:  Yeah. They’re gonna have their major label debut. Their new album’s called Music for Men. And what I think is really interesting about them, you know, Beth Ditto, their singer, she’s super outspoken. Not only about being a lesbian but just about being proud about being whatever size, shape you are. Just being a woman and embracing that.

Ella:  Well, I love their videos, they’re so creative. The music is like electrical funky deep soul. I love her voice. She’s got a great voice.

Marni:  Yeah, she is, and I think that she’s…I like that she’s so outspoken about her sexual orientation because I think she really empowers a lot of LGBT kids just to embrace who they are.

Ella:  And good music is definitely a plus. You’ve got a great advocate and some good tunes.

Marni:  So, did you ever see when she posed naked for uh…

Ella:  I did not have the pleasure of seeing that.

Marni:  Interesting. I think there was a lot of controversy about that. But I think…I don’t know, I think they’re a great band. I think they deserve a lot of accolades.

Ella:  Yeah, I can’t wait to see them when they come into town.

 

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Simple Past Tense" from this lesson Go Super!

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz Go Super!

 

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3 Go Super!

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Discussion

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

Ella loves the band Gossip. Although the band has been together since 1999, it has recently become more mainstream. Its new album, Music for Men, is the band’s first album with a major label.

Gossip’s lead singer, Beth Ditto, is an outspoken advocate for gay rights. She also encourages women to be proud of their bodies no matter what size they are. She recently created a controversy by posing nude on the cover of a British music magazine.

Do you agree that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes? What’s the last thing you were outspoken about?

 

Comments

Log in to Comment

Denny500

Denny500

Australia

Just went to Youtube and find a couple of their songs. Although I don't like them but I agree, that is a great band. Also, she IS beautiful, although first glance strange. So, I think, most of the girls are too serious about keep fat. Nature is beauty.

09:43 PM Sep 14 2009 |

rosendo

rosendo

Mexico

well she has a cuple of big bubies to feed friends and i.

i would like to taste them.

 saludos.

04:33 PM Sep 14 2009 |

SÉRGIO

SÉRGIO

Brazil

cute little fat!

02:08 PM Sep 14 2009 |

tamago

tamago

Japan

her voice is so nice & beautiful !!

she also can be a nice good jazz singer like Ella ??

10:57 AM Sep 14 2009 |

ayhann

ayhann

Turkey

i appreciate her self-confidence but…posing nude,being outspoken about gay rights or stuff like that..ok it may be because her to take a stand against some stereotyped thoughts..but can't she be doing all these to pull extra attention for their album,i dont know.whatever the reason is,the sexual orientation and appearance shouldnt be a limiting factor for making music or for whatever we want to do.

09:13 AM Sep 14 2009 |

koxa

koxa

Ukraine

For the peolpe with problems of size their bodies, lead singer of this band is the hope and like a preacher,she publicly demonstrates her body and gives to undersatnd that she doesn't care about her appearance,the main she is talented.There are a lot of other amazing things so you don't have to focus only on your appearance.     

06:23 AM Sep 14 2009 |

kushnir4ik

Ukraine

I think it is very important for everyone to know that you are beautiful/ ant it's doesn't matter what size you are.

05:27 AM Sep 14 2009 |

julywidiawati

Indonesia

Yeah, I Agree about it but in a right way to outspoken it..

03:42 AM Sep 14 2009 |

nghiemhoa

Viet Nam

no.i don't agree with opinion of BETH DITTO, just only from people who know how to be beautiful. everybody want to have a perfect body but that can't because everybody isn't same together. why do they have to practice? it for have a more beautiful shape.

01:15 AM Sep 14 2009 |

noguti

noguti

Brazil

even though everybody is used to judge the people by their appearence, I believe that the most important beauty comes from inside of us…. :)

12:25 AM Sep 14 2009 |

Likes (27):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast