English through Music

Miley Cyrus: Flowers

Enjoying your own company

A2–B1Approximately 31 minutesAdults

Created by Denis M., British English teacher.

01 Watch 02 Useful English 03 Quick quiz 04 Speaking

Your goal: Identify a message of independence and talk about things you can do for yourself.

Adults: a break-up, sensual dancing and revealing clothing in the video.

01 · 7 minutes

Watch

Watch the complete video once without pausing. Focus on the overall meaning and mood; you do not need to catch every word.

Listen for the change from an unhappy relationship to a more independent attitude.

If the player cannot load or reports an error, open the video on YouTube.

Open on YouTube

Choose one word for your first reaction. There is no correct answer.

02 · 5 minutes

Useful English

Four useful items connected with the song. Definitions and examples are original; not every item is claimed to appear in the recording.

British English vocabulary audio

Open the full MP3

Choose an item to hear its word, meaning and example.

independent

adjective

Able to do things without always needing help from other people.

Learning to cook helped me become more independent.

on my own

phrase

Alone or without another person’s help.

I booked the whole trip on my own.

Change my to your, her, our or their to match the person.

treat yourself

verb phrase

To give yourself something enjoyable.

After a busy week, treat yourself to a relaxing afternoon.

forgive

verb

To stop holding anger against someone for something they did.

It took time, but she decided to forgive the mistake.

Forgiving does not mean approving of the original action.

03 · 9 minutes

Quick quiz

Choose one answer for each question. Questions 1–2 focus on the song; questions 3–6 practise useful vocabulary.

Open the six-question quiz

1. What is the speaker’s main message?

She cannot enjoy anything without her former partner.She can care for herself and enjoy life independently.She wants to avoid every activity she once enjoyed.

2. What change does the song present?

From confidence towards deciding she is helpless.From a first meeting towards planning a wedding.From the pain of a break-up towards self-confidence.

3. An independent learner usually…

refuses every useful suggestion.never needs to practise.can manage some learning without constant help.

4. I organised the event on my own. What does this mean?

I organised it without another person’s help.I organised it for one guest only.I organised it in my own house.

5. Which is an example of treating yourself?

Giving someone else a strict instruction.Choosing a small enjoyable activity after a busy day.Doing an extra task you strongly dislike.

6. You forgive a friend for a mistake. What does this mean?

You decide not to keep holding the mistake against them.You agree that making the mistake was the right choice.You completely forget who your friend is.

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · Can + the base verb

Use can to describe abilities and independent choices.

I can organise a weekend trip on my own.

Original practice model, not a song lyric

After can, use the base verb without to. The form stays the same with I, she and they: she can organise. Do not add -s to the verb after can.

Choose the correct sentence.She can enjoys a quiet evening on her own.She can enjoy a quiet evening on her own.She can to enjoy a quiet evening on her own.

Grammar support

A2Can and can’t: abilities

04 · 10 minutes

Speaking

Give your opinion and explain it. Different reactions are welcome. You may use invented examples instead of personal experiences.

Open the three speaking questions

1. What is one thing you enjoy doing on your own?

Explain when and why you enjoy it.

I enjoy… on my own because…

2. What skill would make your everyday life easier?

Say what you can already do and what you would like to learn.

I can… but I would like to…

3. Can independence and asking for help go together?

Give a situation in which both are useful.

You can be independent and still…

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