Listen to some pieces of music of a famous composer and guess who he/she is as soon as possible.
GAME:
WHO IS QUICKEST?
Không quân Việt Nam
Gò Đống Đa
Ngày mùa
Tiến Quân Ca
Unit 3: MUSIC
Lesson 6: WRITING
Writing a biography
.
1. Van Cao wrote many songs. Some of his most well-known are: Go Dong Da (1942); Tien Quan Ca (1944); Bai Ca Chien Si Hai Quan (1945); Khong Quan Viet Nam (1945); Ngay Mua (1948).
2. Van Cao`s song Tien Quan Ca written in 1944 became the national anthem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
3. Van Cao is remembered as one of the most important composers of modern Vietnamese music and one of the most popular composers in the world. He died on July 10, 1995 in Ha Noi. After his death, he received the Ho Chi Minh Prize.
4. Van Cao`s real name is Nguyen Van Cao. He was a composer who was born on 15 November 1923 in Hai Phong, but his hometown was Nam Dinh.

a. Early years

b. Typical works

c. Important
achievements

d. Conclusion
Act. 1: Read the following paragraphs. Match each of them with the corresponding heading.
Key: 1b 2c 3d 4a
Van Cao`s real name is Nguyen Van Cao. He was a composer who was born on 15 November 1923 in Hai Phong, but his hometown was Nam Dinh. Van Cao wrote many songs. Some of his most well-known are: Go Dong Da (1942); Tien Quan Ca (1944); Bai Ca Chien Si Hai Quan (1945); Khong Quan Viet Nam (1945); Ngay Mua (1948). Van Cao`s song Tien Quan Ca written in 1944 became the national anthem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Van Cao is remembered as one of the most important composers of modern Vietnamese music and one of the most popular composers in the world. He died on July 10, 1995 in Ha Noi. After his death, he received the Ho Chi Minh Prize.

a. Early years

b. Typical works
c. Important
achievements

d. Conclusion
Act. 2: Answer the questions.
1. Which 3 questions need answering in "Early years"?
A. When was he/she born?
B. Where was he/she born?
C. What were his/her important childhood events?
D. When and where did he/she die?
2. Which 1 question needs answering in "Typical works"?
A. When and where did he/she die?
B. What was the most valuable prize he/she received?
C. What works was he/she famous for?
D. What was his/her great influence?
3. Which 2 questions need answering in "Important achievements"?
A. What works was he/she famous for?
B. What was the most valuable prize he/she received?
C. What were the most important achievements in his/her career?
D. What do you think about him/her?
4. Which 3 questions need answering in "Conclusion"?
A. What do you think about him/her?
B. What was his/her great influence?
C. When and where did he/she die?
D. What was the most valuable prize he/she received?
A
B
C
C
B
C
A
B
C
USEFUL LANGUAGE
* Early years
- date of death (if the person died)
* Typical works (the works he/she was famous for)
* Important achievements
- important childhood event(s)
- date and place of birth
A biography usually includes:
the most important achievements in his/her career
the most valuable prize he/she received
* Conclusion
- his/her great influence
- what you think about him/her
Act. 3: Write a biography, using one of the Fact Files on page 32.
VOCABULARY
famous (a)
renowned (a)
=
noted (a)
=
child prodigy
child prodigy (n.phr.)
Frédéric Chopin was a ______________who began playing the piano without instruction at the age of five. 
VOCABULARY
famous (a)
renowned (a)
=
noted (a)
=
child prodigy (n.phr.)
Con Dao prison was built in 1861 by the French colonists to jail patriotic Vietnamese who fought against the colonial government.
patriotic (a)
VOCABULARY
famous (a)
renowned (a)
=
noted (a)
=
child prodigy (n.phr.)
patriotic (a)
: very well known and important
prominent (n)
Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân is presently Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam.
National Assembly (n. phr.)
VOCABULARY
famous (a)
renowned (a)
=
noted (a)
=
child prodigy (n.phr.)
patriotic (a)
prominent (n)
National Assembly (n. phr.)
The uprising in capital Hanoi on August 19, 1945.
uprising (n)
VOCABULARY
famous (a)
renowned (a)
=
noted (a)
=
child prodigy (n.phr.)
patriotic (a)
prominent (n)
National Assembly (n. phr.)
uprising (n)
Act. 3: Write a biography, using one of the Fact Files on page 32.
When and where was Van Cao born?
Guessing game: Who is in the hidden picture?
He was born on November 15th ,1923 in Nam Dinh.
1
2
3
6
5
4
What information do we have to include in “early years”.of a biography?
- date and place of birth - important childhood event(s)
LUCKY STAR
Who is the composer of the song “Giai Phong Mien Nam’?
Luu Huu Phuoc
Who invented instrumental ballade?
Frederic Chopin
What do we usually include in “conclusion” of a biography?
- his/her great influence
what you think about
- him/her date of death (if the person died)
Son Tung (Nguyen Thanh Tung): pop singer and song writer
- date of birth: July 5, 1994
- place of birth: Thai Binh
- started his music career in 2012,
- Famous songs: Em Cua Ngay Hom Qua, Con Mua Ngang Qua, Chac Ai Do Se Ve, Thai Binh Mo Hoi Roi
 - Em Cua Ngay Hom Qua : a phenomenon in Vietnam in 2014,
- won the MTV EMA Milan 2015
- Am Tham Ben Em attracted 1,000,000 views within only 24 hours after being released
- a talented artist loved by many young Vietnamese people
What have you learnt today?
Consolidation:
Write a biography of an artist you admire the most.
Luu Huu Phuoc was born on September 12, 1921 in Can Tho. He was one of the most famous figures in culture. He is remembered as a composer of many lively patriotic wartime songs, children songs and the occasional opera.
Among his most well- known works are Bach Dang Giang; Tieng Goi Thanh Nien, Giai Phong Mien Nam.
For his great contribution to Vietnamese culture, he was appointed many important positions. He was a member of the National Assembly. He also worked as the chairman of the Committee of Culture and Education of the National Assembly of the Social Republic of Vietnam. After his death, he received the most rewarding prize, HCM Prize.
Luu Huu Phuoc is regarded as one of the most prominent culture figures during the national liberation movements. He died on June, 16, 1989 in HCM City.