AFLTA District IV Fall Conference

AFLTA District IV Fall Conference

Bienvenidos

Welcome to my blog about Hispanic music!

I have been teaching Spanish for the last 10 years and have always liked to share the culture of Spain and the Latin American countries as well as I can.

Music is an important way of reaching people and communicating feelings or thoughts. I have found out that sharing music is also an excellent way of sharing culture. So I share music in class.

I make an effort to talk about songs that are part of the popular music of Spain and Latin America, songs from different countries, styles of music, from classic to folkloric music. Anything is possible.

As I always tell my students I have only one requirement for the music I share with them: It has to be a song that I like. Yes, I know. It sounds restrictive and selfish but there is a very wide variety of music that I like, and I keep up with very many different artist's latest news.

I started presenting sessions on "Music as an expression of culture" in AFLTA District IV Conference as well as the State Conference in Arkansas and regional conferences too. While preparing and doing the sessions the idea of the blog came as a good way to keep sharing information with people interested.

So here we go... I hope you enjoy this blog and if you want to leave a comment or ask a question feel free to do so. Thank you for your interest and your input.

If you have comments or questions feel free to comment on the post, or contact me by e-mail here.

Thanks!

¡Gracias!

PS: I always ask for school administration approval of any video, music or lyrics I plan to share with the students and I recommend you do the same.



Monday, January 31, 2011

"Waka Waka" by Shakira and "Waving flag" by K'Naan and David Bisbal

Hello everyone!
It has been a very long time since our last music newsletter issue.
This time I want to share with you some music I am preparing for my students right now. We are getting into the sports unit, mainly soccer. I know some of you dread that unit because soccer is of no interest to you what so ever. ; ) I truly understand.

To me is just the opposite... I love it! In our new book especially because it's in the context of Argentina, one of my favorite countries in the Hispanic world. I am a big soccer fan and this unit gives me time to talk about the sport and culture I love, I think that is probably one of the reasons my students seem to be fine with it, they see my enthusiasm and is amusing to them, hahahahaha!

Anyway...

I'm going to be sharing two songs with you... yes... the wait was worth it... ; )

These two songs are part of the music of the most recent World Cup that took place in South Africa last summer and who's champion was SPAIN!!!

- The first song is "Waka - Waka, Esto es África" by Shakira featuring Freshlyground, a band from South Africa. It was selected as the official song for the World Cup. It has two versions, one in Spanish and one in English.

The song has influences of rhythms of the Caribbean and Africa. Shakira wanted to mix the Afro-Latin rhythms like Soca (so from American soul and ca from calypso), present and popular in the Caribbean Islands. Shakira also throws in some aspects of her Arabic/Latin dancing as she does almost always. The song has a verse that comes from a Cameroonian song very popular some years a go called Zangalewa. Soccer players Gerard Piqué, Dani Alves, Idriss Carlos Kameni, Rafael Márquez and Lionel Messi appear in the video, as well as images from the previous World Cups starting with the Italian champions in Germany 2006.

The lyrics have a very positive message and the music is very catchy!

Video: aquí

Lyrics: aquí

-The second song is "Waving Flag" by K'Naan and David Bisbal. It is another song chosen to be part of the 2010 World Cup music.

It is in English and Spanish and it has more of an African/Pop mix. K'Naan is a Somali-Canadian rapper. David Bisbal is a flamenco/pop singer from Spain (He was the one of participants in the reality show "Operación triunfo". A mix between Big Brother and American Idol contests, done in Spain).

The mix of rhythms in this song is very entertaining. The lyrics talk about your patriotism and supporting your team. The video shows the fans from many different teams, their colors, decorations, and the flags. It will give you an idea of how international this competition is and how many cultures and ethnicities share their love for soccer.

Video: aquí

Lyrics: aquí

OK, that is all for today!
I hope you and/or your students enjoy the songs and they will be useful for you to talk about culture and/or grammar in your classrooms!
Thank you
Paola
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