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Monsters University

Learn English with this movies English lesson

Date: Aug 05 2013

Themes: Pop Culture

Grammar: Present Perfect Tense

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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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Monsters University is a new release from the animation studio Pixar. It’s a prequel to the popular Pixar movie Monsters, Inc., and it tells the story of a few monsters who go to college. These monsters don’t major in typical subjects like history or mathematics, though. They major in “scaring.”

Though they don’t appear on screen, some famous actors have contributed their voices to Monsters University. Billy Crystal is the voice of monster Mike Wazowski, and John Goodman is the voice of monster Sulley Sullivan. This voiceover work seems very popular for actors these days. Is it possible that it requires less work from them, but they still get paid lots of money?

Find out if Greta and Mason are excited about Monsters University in this movies English lesson.

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.

Greta

Mason

Greta: My favorite Pixar movie of all time is Monsters, Inc.

Mason: Yes.

Greta: Which I know is kind of an unusual choice. Most people go for Toy Story. So I’m really excited about Monsters University.

Mason: I’m glad someone is, because I look at it and I’m like, this seems dumb. It’s the prequel that nobody needed to make.

Greta: Yeah, and it’s hitting a weird demographic, where the kids who watched it when they were young children have outgrown cartoons. Maybe it is for the adults who watched it with those kids. I loved loved loved Billy Crystal and John Goodman in the first one. They did the voiceovers for the two main characters. I just think it’s going to be fun. They’re majoring in scaring, and they have this big rivalry, and then in Monsters, Inc. they’re best friends. To kind of see that progression of the friendship.

Mason: So, yeah, they made this movie for you. It is tying in to that nostalgia of “Hey, remember this thing that you like so much? Let’s go hang out with them more.” Just like The Hobbit, which I have no reason to criticize anybody who wants to do anything like that. Because The Hobbit was great.

Greta: Absolutely.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Discussion

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Greta’s very excited about the upcoming movie, Monsters University, because it’s the prequel to her favorite movie from the Pixar studio. Mason likes Monsters, Inc. too, but he doesn’t really see the point of the prequel.

Greta agrees that the new movie is probably just coming out to satisfy people’s nostalgia. But she really likes the actors who do the voiceovers in the movie, and she thinks it’s going to be cool to see how the characters became friends.

And even though he’s critical, Mason understands. He is a fan of some prequels, like The Hobbit, so he can’t be that judgmental of Greta’s enthusiasm.

Did you see Monsters, Inc.? Are you excited about Monsters University? Do you like animated films, or do you think they’re just for children?

Comments

1 through 20 of 34
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sara1998

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

well,my sister is 28 years old and we bothe liked this cartoon very much.it’s great and I’m crazy about it!!!

mohamma

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

heeeeeeee!

but, episode 1 is very better than episode 2.

but not bad episode 2.

princessanika

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

so i on’t watch it yet but i heared it’s a very funny cartoon. i think they right and it’s a funny cartoon. i really wanna watch it. it can be funny.

Mr. Learner

Peru

@I M P E R I V M, okay, thanks.
From my point of view, I believe in conspiracy to some point, but some people are exaggerating. So, I don’t belive everything.

I M P E R I V M

United States

@ mr. learner no Nimrod lived way before Abraham. no my friends thats not me in the video he is mark fairley but I have permission to use his videos.

MAHSA1995

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

it is awsome,i love cartoons!i have a younger bro & i watch movies with him whenever i have time for!

Hotel Transylvania is the best animation cartoon ever!

Mr. Learner

Peru

@ola33, I agree with you.
I think he has a good accent.

ola33

Japan

Imperivm, nice voice!

Mr. Learner

Peru

@Ola33, I don’t know much about these things, too. So, I can’t tell what is the meaning of these symbols.

Mr. Learner

Peru

@I M P E R I V M, is Nimrod the one who was ruling in the age of prophet Abraham – peace be upon him – ?!

Another question about the video, I haven’t watched it yet, but are you the one who is talking in the video?

I M P E R I V M

United States

@ Mr. learner and ola33 here is the link to one of my channels in case you want to learn about Nimrod http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL5DUCybLC0

I M P E R I V M

United States

@ Mr. learner and ola33 no my minions the all seeing eye is not a representation of “God” but all the opposite….

there was a king named Nimrod (cool name) that was the first dictator in history he and his people constructed a very tall pyramid from which he would “watch” all his servants and where he would be the highest of the “highest”

That pyramid was THE TOWER OF BABEL….but nowadays the elite of this world admire that man and want to do the same but this time on a global scale and thats why you will see this particular symbol everywhere (money currencies, logos, banks, movies etc) sometimes you only see the eye, or the pyramid or a combination.

ola33

Japan

Mr Learner, I’ll go with the interpretation as all-seeing eye of God, devine providence. It’s interesting, I didn’t know about this symbol.

3emma3

Iraq

I like animated movies. i dont know if it is a nostaligia for childhood or not. Sometimes i ask my kids to tell me the time of some animated series. Unfortunately i didnt see the Monster’s prequel but i have seen the monster Inc more than one time. I like it too much. It is a very interesting world full of nice monstors :)))

Moriza

Ukraine

Watching cartoons is interestingly and entertainment for both as children as adults.

Not surprisingly that new modern animated films replaced the ones we used to watch in our childhood.

Being a mother, from time to time, I watch cartoons with my kids and should admit, that some of them left an unforgettable impression upon me.

If you want to escape from a harsh reality—watch a cartoon and get a mix of excited feelings plus good spent time.

jef_maiko

Brazil

No, I didn’t. But I intend to watch it. I like animated films. I’m used to watching them with my son. They are awesome!!!!!

Andressa Holland

Brazil

I really LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED Monsters, Inc. and I’m really excited about this one ‘cause it’s a very well done movie, well edicted, well produced, well dubbed and very funny! It’s great! I know that this movie won’t be as good as the first was, never, but I wish it is good, though.

I don’t think that animated films are for childrens only and I don’t think that nowdays animated films are even childish, mainly Monsters. It’s the kind of film for all kind of public, childrens, adults, old, youngs. It’s for who want to have fun and a great time, laughing a lot and enjoying an innocent film, without all of those sex scenes or violent scenes that we’re getting so used to see on the big screen.