English, baby!

Talking Iranian Democracy on Ebaby!

Date: Jun 23 2009

Themes: News

Grammar: Present Perfect Progressive

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Intro

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

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

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Iran is in crisis. The results of the country’s national election are being disputed and there are thousands of people demonstrating in the streets. Some of them have been killed or injured by police and military trying to stop the protests.

The whole world is watching Iran, but most of our information is not coming from traditional media since reporters in the country have been restricted. Iranians are using many different websites to plan meetings and share their experiences and English, baby! is among them. Take a look at this forum thread about the protests, and this one about Iran in general.

Listen to John on a radio news program in the US talking about how the events in Iran are playing out on English, baby!

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.

Kristian

John

Kristian: English, baby!, is a site where anybody who wants to learn English can go to chat. To make it even more compelling, English, baby!, is set up like a social media site. So students post their favorite music picks and make friends with each other online. The site has about 10,000 members in Iran and it’s easy to find discussions about the election. The founder of English, baby!, John Hayden, says he’s been surprised by the wealth of opinions expressed.

John: We see a lot in the Western media, a lot of the protests and a lot of the bloodshed. And we’re seeing conversations talking about that as well on English, baby! But there’s definitely another side to that, that we’re seeing. Support for the election and wanting to abide by the results of that.

Kristian: The Iranian government has been making sounds about shutting places down. Is that a concern for you and would it be possible for them to do that?

John: You know, it’s tough. I think the major sites, the Facebooks, the YouTubes and the Twitters, it’s really easy to target those URL’s but the Internet is so broad now. There are so many niche sites, where people can communicate and have conversations, like English, baby!, where we feel like we’re pretty safe, underneath the radar and people are freely discussing their views on there. So we’re not concerned about being shut down and if that does happen, we’ll deal with it then.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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John tells Kristian that on English, baby! you can find Iranian people who support the protesters and believe the election was rigged, as well as people who think the election was fair and that the protesters should stop.

The government of Iran has banned some websites, hoping to stop the protests. Kristian asks John if the thinks English, baby! could be banned in Iran. Since Ebaby! is primarily a site for learning English, John hopes that the Iranian censors won’t notice it and that the discussion can continue freely.

Have do you feel about the events in Iran?

Listen to the rest of the radio story on our blog.

Comments

1 through 20 of 74
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tiger_bagira

Greece

NICE

Payam

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

The thing that I can say in a sentence is:

Iran will have peace and freedom exactly at this time that Ahmadinejad is the president!

The freedom and peace is coming!

Just wait!

We have showed everyone and are showing everyone and will show everyone that we will make our destiny !!!!

You saw that news?

That the Iranian protesters was more than a million?

Because what?

Because they wanted their rights!!!!

We wanna know that where is our vote?

It's in our governments' pocket?

The reality is not clear!

They killed about 300 hundred people that they were just in silent protests!

Did they did something wrong that we don't know?

Did they killed the polices and baseejis?

They didn't want anything just knowing where are their rights?

If this is true that the election wasn't fake…so why they don't give any evidence?Why they killl people in streets and jails?

Why they don't say something that people want?

I wish the things that people wants and even give their health and lives to help the other people!

I saw everything in protests!

I saw that girls go in front of polices and even injured by polices!

We are the winner!

Simili

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

روح بابک در تو / در من هست / مهراس از خون یارانت، زرد مشو / پنجه در خون زن و بر چهره بکش / مثل بابک باش / نه / سرخ تر، سرخ تر از بابک باش / دشمن / گرچه خون میریزد / ولی از جوشش خون میترسد / مثل خون باش / بجوش / شهر باید یکسر / بابکستان گردد / تا که دشمن در خون غرق شود / وین خراب آباد / از جغد شود پاک و گلستان گردد

RicardoX

Brazil

In my opinion not only in Iran but also in all countries there are many things wrong, but we need a different attitude to make the world better. We need to have courage and positive attitude to change the politicians, because with this situation the poor people are the most injured. ALL PEOPLE NEED PEACE, LOVE, FREEDOM AND BASIC CONDITIONS TO LIVE. IT DOES NOT DEPEND ON IF THEY ARE AMERICAN, EUROPEAN, ASIAN, OR ARABIC PEOPLE.

mehdi_dolati

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

The real message from Iran’s people: Our country is not Islamic nor Republic!

Noor-alhalabi

Jordan

I totally agree with that mr.Sunay ..

as you said … nothing just bla bla bla :D

Noor-alhalabi

Jordan

to make it right..

Yeah.. I read a lot about Ahmadinejad ..definitely he is the top leader nowadays except bad things in his personality… and actually the real element who against Iran is western country which have a new president (Obama) although he dont have something toward Iran …but its the old differences and still untill now .. surely the iranian citizens know more than the other people who are outside Iran about what are there and happened in it ,, but in addition what can we say … we just said what we heared and see it on T.V or read it on neawspaper or magazine .. although almost of that news are wrong ….

yes Iranian people dont like this leader (Ahmadinejad).. because the results of his policy (injuring people , arrested people ..and more..) but who can tell us or imagine if this leader lost ,, how can you believed or imagine how he is it the new leader who come after him ..and how is his policy is it be better than Ahmad or not ..

Absolutely we feel sorry about that and about anything happened in our counrty ..but we are wait for the end of this problems .. there is a wesdom from all of that …

and I hope it resolved early ..

In addition,, in fact Khomeini was first president and the head of Iran.. he give the orders and Ahmadinejad just Implemented this political orders…
this is the truth..

Nour

katerinka_25

Poland

I don't understand this world and people, so many wars the history knows, each of them was aufwul and unjust but poeple still fight with one another. so much blood and unjustice in the beginning of the 21st century. And so many other places.. I don't know …

serendipiti

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

We wish no more blood but peace and freedom for Iran in reality more aggression against civilians . will create more radical slogans and push the people for more basic rights. and more blood. The regime is responsible for the safety of all citizens. We hold Supreme leader” the dictator” accountable for the lives of Iranian.

"Neda, voice of Iran"

Where is my vote?

serendipiti

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i am from iran…
please pray for neda and many of young people were killed by government…

ciberd7

Brazil

I´ve been hearing about that Iranian situation, but Here in Brazil the only thing we can do is sit and watch it. I think they have to stop killing more people, it´s just a brawl againt something they can´t realize. It´s gonna be late when they wake up and see how many people they have killed just because they´re blind.

omarOK

Russian Federation

Ok My Friends, but I have to ask some questions,

1-why Obama & brown & (the same people-politicians) were comment Iranian election after tow hours ,but they

Did not make comments on aggression of Israel against children in Gaza, even in 6 months?

who can tell me ??

and tell me pls, what you can comment about aggression of Israel against children in Gaza, even in 6 months?

The Jewish aggressors have kill 1500 civilians and wound have received 4500 persons and pomp white phosphorus on people, what you can tell about it?

Nada is a pity to me, and 500 children till 10 years old are not a pity to you? what are you doing for Gazzas children now??

omarOK

Russian Federation

Let us love E baby,

let us love freedom ,

I love E baby a like baby ,

It's do me for all as mom

othman ahmaro

Jordan

Mr omarOk

tHANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION.I'M BESIDE YOU OF COURSE.I SAY TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF E BABY WE TRUSTED YOU DON'T LET US DOWN.WE WANT E BABY TO REMAIN A MINARET FOR FREE ATTITUDES FOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.OUR AIM IS TO SHOW THE TRUTH AND ARGUE FOR IT.WE THAMK YOU FOR SUGGESTING THESE HOT ISSUES BUT STILL WE WANT EVERYBODY TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO EXPRESS HIS OPINION.

omarOK

Russian Federation

You certainly sit near me and conduct as they forbid me!!

I have sent 10 comments, and they show only the last,

сcan you tell me what it mean?

believe me,

I love E baby not less than you love it ,so I want to do any think for it, to do it do true democratic

othman ahmaro

Jordan

To Mr omarOK

Can you explain more how did E Baby forbbiden you to epress.?If they don't want to hear the opposite ideas why do they suggest such topics.I'm really sad to hear this and I want you to explain what you mean to all participants.