Spain finds words for its national anthem
The article given below has been re-written by Janet Hardy-Gould to use words and constructions appropriate to this level of learning and understanding.
Spain has finally found the words to sing to its national anthem - which has been without lyrics since 1978 - but the four new verses have not been well received by everyone.
Finding lyrics with widespread appeal was always going to be difficult, because Spain is made up of many regions with distinct languages and identities.
Last year Spain's Olympic Committee (COE) launched a competition to find suitable lyrics, and to ensure that the country's sports men and women have something they can sing before international competitions.
The national anthem, La Marcha Real, was written in 1761. It only had lyrics during the 1886-1931 reign of King Alfonso XIII and under the dictator General Franco.
A panel of academics and musicians was asked to choose the winner from nearly 7,000 entries. The winning words were due to be made public last month, and sung by the Spanish tenor Placido Domingo, but they were leaked in advance.
The winning lyrics, written by Paulino Cubero, 52, an unemployed Madrid resident, try to be all things to all people. But their references to "green valleys" and "immense seas" do not have a very strong Spanish identity.
Cubero said his lyrics "reflect the fatherland as I understand it".
Many politicians are unimpressed. Carmen Calvo, a former minister of culture, said: "It seems old, with expressions that are completely antiquated, and sounds like an anthem from the past."
As soon as the lyrics appeared, news websites were inundated with comments. Many mocked the choice and questioned the very idea of the competition.
The COE now has to collect 500,000 signatures in support of the lyrics so that they can be presented to parliament for formal approval. This might prove difficult.
Lesson Plan
Focus: reading, connectives, writing an anthem
Materials: copies of the article
Time: 55 minutes
Tell students the lesson is anout a national anthem. Ask: what is the tune of your national anthem? Do you know the words? Encourage discussion/singing. - 4 mins
Play (or hum) five well-known anthems (find the on the web at http://www.national-anthems.net. Discuss/identify countries. Feedback. - 7 mins
Hand out copies of the article. Focus students on the headline, photo and caption. Ask: What is the problem with Spain's national anthem? No words. - 4 mins
Dictate the following questions. Students read the article and find the answers. Feedback. - 7 mins
- How did they find new lyrics for the Spanish national anthem?
- Why is it difficult to write lyrics for the Spanish national anthem?
- Who wrote the new lyrics?
Hand out the following True/False questions. Students read again. Feedback. - 10 mins
- The new lyrics have four verses.
- The competition was launched by the Spanish government.
- Almost 7,000 people entered the competition.
- The winner was chosen by Placido Domingo.
- The winner lives in the Spanish capital.
- Carmen Calvo likes the lyrics.
- The COE needs to collect 500,000 signatures in favour of the lyrics.
Hand out this summary. Students complete with as soon as, because, but, or, so. Feedback. - 8 mins
Put students into groups. Ask them to write an anthem for their town. First they brainstorm wat is special about their town, then choose a national anthem tune and write at least fourlines of their anthem to go with it. Students perofrm to the class. - 15 mins
