English, baby!

One Direction

Learn English with this boy bands English lesson

Date: Jan 20 2014

Themes: Celebrity, Music, Pop Culture

Grammar: Adverbs

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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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The boy band One Direction is an English-Irish group of singers who met at the singing competition “The X Factor.” They began performing together in 2010, and have released three CDs that were all at the top of the charts. The members of One Direction are Harry, Zayn, Louis, Liam and Niall, all aged 19-22.

What is it about boy bands that makes them so popular? Some people like that the members of One Direction are clean-cut and good-looking. Their music is fun and full of life, which makes people want to dance. The guys all spend time on Twitter and Facebook, too, so that makes One Direction’s fan club feel like they’re all friends.

Who do you think likes One Direction? You might be surprised! Read more to find out in this 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.

Jeff

Lily

Jeff: I’ve got to get this out there. I have to admit: I like a boy band.

Lily: Like who? Like ‘N Sync or the Backstreet Boys?

Jeff: They’re geezers. They’re old. Have you heard of One Direction?

Lily: Are those the guys with the hair?

Jeff: Oh, yeah.

Lily: Oh, yeah. They’re pretty boy band-y.

Jeff: Do you like pop music?

Lily: I’m a fan of pop music. I’m not necessarily in the One Direction fan club or anything.

Jeff: Well, they have a fan club.

Lily: They do?

Jeff: Yeah.

Lily: Are you in the fan club?

Jeff: You know, like I said, I don’t like to advertise this too much, but I really like them. They’re good, clean-cut, at the top of the charts in many places around the world.

Lily: Have you been to one of their concerts? Isn’t it just a lot of teenage girls, or do they have a wider fan base?

Jeff: Yes. Yes. That’s probably the bulk of the fan base, but there are plenty of hairy, thirty-something year old men like me that also really enjoy those shows. It’s a phenomenon.

Lily: All right. Which one is your favorite?

Jeff: Probably Zayn.

Lily: All right.

Jeff: I like him.

Lily: OK.

Jeff: I like his style.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

Go Super to Listen

Lily’s kind of surprised because Jeff has told her an interesting secret. He likes the boy band One Direction! Even though most of One Direction’s fan club is young girls, Jeff tells Lily that there are guys like him that like the band, too.

Jeff thinks that many things put together make One Direction a great band. The singers are clean-cut, they make good music, and they are loved all around the world. And the truth is that Jeff just likes them, and he’s not embarrassed to say that he does.

Lily isn’t really interested in One Direction, but she can respect Jeff’s opinion. She likes pop music, too!

How do you feel about One Direction? What do you like or not like about the band?

Comments

1 through 20 of 36
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melika1378

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

oh i really really like the band

princessanika

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

You and I

We don’t wanna be like them:))))))

Yeeeeeeeeeees because we want be One Direction:))))))))))

freemusicvideos

United States

Yeaah!!! one Direction such a good group, and i like them. their song, voice ,meaning everything is super. I guess, one direction guys really clean-cut. especially Zayn. Coool.

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Story Of My Life One Direction Cover by Katie Belle Akin

Ybelouso

Russian Federation

I first heard about One Direction due to ebaby. After reading the topic I found a lot of clips in the internet. In my opinion it’s the band for teenage girls. I was surprised that Jeff interested in One Direction. Of course I respect opinion of different people, for instance I’m fan of Two door cinema club, it’s northern Irish band, who plays indie rock. I don’t know , maybe only I see arrogance of 1D? if you compare the two bands , the TDCC look like regular guys from the yard, but 1D looks differently. There are a lot of arrogance

jein

Indonesia

I am not a fan of 1D, but they are a good boyband, their songs are easy to listening and I can recognize them once I have listened their songs.

895008396

China

I really love 1D.Their songs are cheerful.The members in the band not only are handsome,but also full of energy.

mohad16

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I love one direction very much,too

danielenglish

Chile

I think One direction is a good band, is not bad

Hossam_bounab

Algeria

most of Ebaby members are fans of Justin Bieber and One Direction … COME ON WORLD !!!!

Hossam_bounab

Algeria

Gayyyyssss __

sara1998

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I do love them!!!

They’re great and i enjoy their songs…

The one whom i love more is Zayn and i think he’s so handsome and clean-cut :)

generally i’m really into them!

hailyhuss

South Korea

they are perfect…........

CyrilCui

China

I am surprised that Jeff loves this boy band One Direction. Before viewing this conversation I thought that fan should be Lily. Acturally most of One Direction’s fans are young girls. But as Jeff said One Direction has been loved by all around the world in these years it makes sense. They are pretty successful and nearly all singles from them can get good positions on those music charts. I think those five members are rather cool and I admit that I adore some songs from them as well even if i never considered myself their loyal fan or something like that. They are fashionable and they can represent the new style of current British music. They’re good enough but perhaps it is necessary for them to improve their harmony more or less. Certainly this is just my own opinion. We all know they are positive boys who can be good examples for fans compared with little Justin. (Ah, maybe I’ll get slapped soon…)

PS: Their new single “Story of My Life” is really stunning and it really deserves you to have a try.

Jasonlongo

Congo, Democratic Republic Of The

I like one direction’s music, but I’m a fan of JASON DERULO.

nicoleyani

Indonesia

I like to hear nice music and I dont care if they are boy band or no, young or old musicians as long as their music can entertaint my ear. I think everybody can sing at least they can sing in the bathroom :p

happyLinda

China

i like their songs . they are handsome, cool.

*butterfly wings*

Saudi Arabia

I think it is a successful band.The singers have worked hard to get to where they are at right now.They make good music and highly adorable though i am not a huge fan. :)

Marcel We

Germany

I have to say that I don’t like them. I don’t know why, perhaps it’s because I think what they do is just a lot of show and I just don’t like their songs because for me they are just too kitschy and as Lily already said they’re pretty “boy-band-y”. But that’s only my opinion and I have to say that I really love music and I really can’t do without it. I listen to lots of different types, for example Rap (that means Eminem, 2pac, Jay-z..) but also soul and classic and just bands like Queen or Ac/Dc, although two last are quite old. For me, a good song has to give me power and make me feel the rhythm :-D

ahmet55

Germany

The truth is, I had no knowledge of exciting a music band named “one direction” till today. However by the use of English baby i got familiar with this one. I downloaded a bunch of top 10 “one direction” songs (.mp3) today. I used mp3 format deliberately to don’t get impressed by their clean-cut either stuff like this. Actually, I want to say that they are really great. Congrats for their successful performance.

I wanna appreciate uncle Google, English baby and also “one direction”, any way.