Gina Chavez

Learning Materials

Wordplay is brought to you by the Office of English Language Programs, American Music Abroad, and American Voices.

American EnglishAmerican Music Abroad
Gina Chavez

Artist: Gina Chavez

(Click to view Snapshots)

We have created lesson plans and a video series to use in the classroom. Scroll down to see all lesson materials or download the full package here.

Program Materials

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Below is an incredible collection from American English to provide fun new ways of teaching and learning English.

Use these files in conjunction with the song in this language package for an integrated teaching experience.

More available at https://americanenglish.state.gov/

She Persisted by Gina Chavez

My hands are tied
Your hands are too
Now we don’t know where to go
Don’t know what to do
They’re feeding lies
Starving the truth
Now we don’t know where to go
Don’t know what to do
Can’t deny, realize we’ve been here before
History will repeat ‘til we stop that revolving
door
They told her to sit down
Told her to work hard
Told her to stop and wait her turn
Told her to shut up, listen
Nevertheless, she persisted
Take us to church
Tear us in two
Now we don’t know where to go
Don’t know what to do
Dress up the devil in
Red white and blue
Now we don’t know where to go
Don’t know what to do
Can’t deny, realize we’ve been here before
History will repeat ‘til we stop that revolving
door
They told her to sit down
Told her to work hard
Told her to stop and wait her turn
Told her to shut up, listen
Nevertheless, she persisted
Nasty women, rock the resistance
Nasty women, rock the resistance
History will repeat ‘til we stop that revolving
door
They tell us to sit down
Tell us to work hard
Tell us to stop and wait our turn
Tell us to shut up, listen, listen, listen
They tell us to sit down
Tell us to work hard
Tell us to stop and wait our turn
Tell us to shut up, listen
Nevertheless, we are persistent

A2 level words

church
noun
A building used for Christian religious ceremonies

history
noun
Past events or the study of past events

lies
verb
To say or write something that is not true

repeat
verb
To happen or do again

rock
verb (informal)
To affect or influence someone or something powerfully turn;

noun
An opportunity or responsibility to do or use something before or after other people

B1 level words

nasty
adjective
Indecent and offensive

realize
verb
To understand or become aware (of something)

tear
verb
To separate (something) into parts by cutting it

truth
noun
The real facts about something, something that is true

B2 level words

deny
verb
To say that something is not true

devil
noun
The most powerful spirit of evil in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam who is often represented as the ruler of hell

nevertheless
adverb
In spite of what has just been said

starve
verb
Suffer and die from lack of food

shut up
phrasal verb (informal)
Often used as a rude way to tell someone to stop talking

C2 level words

persist
verb,
To continue to do something or to try to do something even though it is difficult or other people want you to stop

persistent
adjective
Continuing beyond the usual, expected

resistance
noun
Refusal to accept something new or different

revolving door
noun
A situation in which the same events or problems continue to happen

feeding lies
idiom
To tell someone lies

hands are tied
idiom
Unable to act freely

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Snapshots

Gina Chavez

Click Image to View Snapshots!

Short question videos to use in the classroom to start new conversations in a modern “Stories” format. Break the ice in new groups or shake up the routine. Teachers can also pair these videos with games below.

ACTIVITIES

These short games can be used with the Snapshot videos for a quick activity in the classroom.

About The Artist

Gina Chavez

Gina Chavez

BIOGRAPHY

A radiant, passionate English and Spanish-speaking performer and activist, Texas singer-songwriter Gina Chavez crosses musical and cultural boundaries. A 12-time Austin Music Award winner, Chavez’s bilingual, genre-blending Latin pop and gutsy voice have been a hit on Amazon, iTunes and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series. Gina’s music is deeply personal. Her passionate collection of bilingual songs traversing cumbia, reggaeton, folk and soul take audiences on a journey to discover her Latin roots through music as she shares her story of life in Texas as a married, queer Catholic.

Gina and her band perform for kids and adults of all ages, leading workshops on songwriting, rhythm, female empowerment, LGBTQ and Christianity, and music business, and performing concerts anywhere from nightclubs to churches to historic theaters. They have toured as cultural ambassadors with American Music Abroad and other State Department programs in 12 countries: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Guatemala, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Argentina, Costa Rica, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan.

At home, she and her wife run an initiative called Niñas Arriba, a college fund they co-founded for young women in gang-dominated El Salvador.  Gina is featured alongside Oprah, Loretta Lynn and Beyonce in a new book by Southern Living celebrating the contributions of 100 Women in the South.

“Her voice stops you in your tracks.” -National Public Radio

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About the Office of English Language Programs

More great information for teachers to use in the English classroom can be found at: https://americanenglish.state.gov/

Promoting the learning and teaching of American English around the world is an integral part of the Department of State’s efforts to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Increasing the English language capacity of audiences overseas deepens and enriches their engagement with American counterparts and builds lasting bridges between cultures. English language learning is also key to increasing access to the many exchange programs administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and other academic and professional exchange opportunities in the United States, particularly for potential grantees from underrepresented groups, including women and minorities. In addition, English language programs advance the Department of State’s economic statecraft and foreign assistance goals by expanding access to the local and global job markets, particularly among youth.

The Office of English Language Programs designs and manages programs to promote language learning and support the teaching of English in countries around the world. These programs are administered through local American Embassies and Consulates and are overseen by Regional English Language Officers. The Office of English Language Programs also provides academic expertise and develops English teaching and learning resources for use worldwide. The American English website provides links to multimedia resources and information on exchange opportunities for teachers and students of English as a foreign language.

Wordplay is brought to you by the Office of English Language Programs, American Music Abroad, and American Voices.

More information available at:
https://americanenglish.state.gov/

USA and State Department
Wordplay ECA/A/L
American Music Abroad
American Voices