Before started to answer the question listen to the podcast about Nikka Costa I blogged yesterday.
Source: http://www.speakup.com.br
Language level: A2 Pre-Intermediate
Standard: British accent
Speaker: Jason Bermingham
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? NIKKA COSTA
BEFORE YOU READ.
TASK 1. Speaking. With your partner(s) discuss these questions.
a) Do you know who Nikka Costa is?
b) Why is/was she famous?
c) Who are your favourite musical artists? Why?
d) Who are your favourite film stars? Why?
e) What types of music do you like? Why?
f) What types of movie do you like? Why?
TASK 2. Glossary. It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the vocabulary in the glossary before you do the reading TASKS. Work with your partner(s). Try this idea:
a) Cover the Portuguese words/phrases and look at the English words/expressions only. Do you know any of these words/expressions in English? Write your ideas. Check them with other members of the class.
b) Look at the glossary and check your ideas. How many are correct?
c) Test yourself and/or your partner(s). It is not important to memorise this vocabulary, but to be familiar with it.
READING
TASK 3. Prediction. You are going to read about Nikka Costa. Before you read, answer this simple quiz. If you don’t know the answer, guess.
1. Nikka Costa was famous . . .
| a) in the 1960s | b) in the 1970s | c) in the 1980s |
2. She was . . .
| a) a child actress | b) a child pop star | c) a child comedian |
3. She was . . .
| a) Italian American | b)Brazilian | c) American |
4. She was born in . . .
| a) Italy | b) USA | c) Japan |
5. Her parents were . . .
| a) ordinary people | b) in the music industry | c) influential politicians |
6. An important person in Nikka’s early career was. . .
| a) Tony Renis | b) Adriano Celentano | c) Gianni Morandi |
TASK 4: Reading for Specific Information: Read the first paragraph of the text as quickly as possible. Were your ideas correct? Compare with other students.
TASK 5. Prediction #2. Before you read the rest of the article about Nikka Costa, discuss these questions with a partner and make some notes. If you don’t know the answer, guess.
a) Why was the song “On my Own” important for Nikka?
b) Why was “On my Own” not released in the USA?
c) Why did Nikka retire from music aged 11?
d) Nikka later made a return to music. Where was that, and in which decade?
e) How many albums has Nikka recorded?
f) Is she still active in the music industry today? Why (not)?
TASK 6: Reading for Specific and Detailed Information: Read all of the text and find answers to TASK 5. How many did you guess correctly?
AFTER YOU READ
TASK 7. Speaking and/or writing: Discuss these questions with your partner(s). If you like, you can write your opinions for homework and show them to your teacher.
a) What do you think about child celebrities? Why?
b) Is it right for parents to encourage their children to become famous? Why (not)?
c) “Children need to play and study only.” Do you agree? Why (not)?
d) “We need to encourage and develop naturally talented children. Not all children are the same.” Do you agree? Why (not)?
e) Are there any child celebrities you admire today (sports, movies, music, TV)? Why (not)?
