Click on “Superman,” then hit the triangle to start the audio.
Woman: It’s a plane
Today’s lesson features what many call the greatest superhero of all time––Superman.
Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1, published in 1938. Since then, many superheros have followed, including (han seguido, incluyendo) Batman, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, Spider Man and Iron Man
Superman came from the planet Krypton. His famous powers include flight/vuelo, strength/fuerza, speed/velocidad, vision (including x-ray), hearing/audición, intelligence and breath (he can blow out air at freezing temperatures––se puede expulsar aire a temperaturas bajo cero).
In addition to comic books, Superman has appeared (ha aparecido) in radio shows, television programs, films, comic strips and video games. The TV program began in 1952 and ended in 1958.
Superman keeps his real identity secret (guarda su verdadera identidad) by working as a reporter for a fictional newspaper (periódico ficticio) called The Daily Planet, in a fictional city called Metropolis. His name is Clark Kent. Around the office he wears a normal suit and tie (traje y corbata), but on the job Superman wears a blue costume (lleva un traje azul) with a red-and-yellow “S” on his chest (s en el pecho). It also has a red cape. He is a brave and kind-hearted hero (bravo con buen corazón) with a strong sense of justice, morality, and righteousness (moralidad y justicia).
This is how each episode of the TV program began:
Narrator: Faster than a speeding bullet (más rápido que una bala). More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound (saltar edificios altos de un solo salto).
Man 1: Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird.
Woman: It’s a plane
Man 2: It’s Superman!
Narrator: Yes, it’s superman, strange visitor from another planet (extraño visitante de otro planeta) who came to earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands (doblar acero en las manos). And who, disguised (disfrazado) as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and the American way.
OK, now let’s make a study of the Superman introduction:
The goal is to understand the meaning of the words (el objetivo es comprender el significado de las palabras), then memorize them.
The first line: Look! Up in the sky!
Look is prounounced like book, or cook. You say it: Look, book, cook.
Up in the sky. Up…in…the…sky. Say the. Tongue between the teeth.
Repeat after me: The tongue between the teeth.
The second line: It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s Superman!
Say brrr, like you’re cold. Say third. Say duh. Say bird.
It’s a bird. It’s a plane. A bird, a plane. Bird, plane. It’s a bird. It’s a plane.
It’s superman. Super. Man.
Say, It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s superman.
Say, Look! Up in the sky. It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s superman.
The goal is now to memorize a paragraph (memorizar un párrafo). You do it one sentence at a time. If that’s too difficult, one part of the sentence at a time. For example, you break up the first sentence into four parts.
Yes, it’s superman, strange visitor from another planet…
who came to earth…
with powers and abilities…
far beyond those of mortal men.
Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers,
bend steel in his bare hands.
And who, disguised as Clark Kent,
for a great metropolitan newspaper,
fights a never-ending battle
for truth, justice and the American way.
To memorize something, first you need to understand the meaning.
Then it helps to memorize the sequence of ideas or facts. Sentences are usually related––one introduces another (existe una relación entre las frases). For example, this paragraph begins by introducing Superman, strange visitor from another planet. The subject is visitor and the descriptive word (adjective/adjetivo) is strange. Then remember that he has powers.
What are his powers? Change the course of mighty rivers and bend steel in his bare hands. Just remember rivers and steel and you can remember the other words.
The next idea is that he is disguised as a reporter.
And finally, he fights a battle (for truth, justice and the American way).
So let’s review the sequence (secuencia):
River and steel,
Memorizing is very good practice for your brain, your comprehension and your pronunciation.
And now some questions, to see what you have learned about Superman. In giving your answers, make complete sentences. For example, if I ask you to name the actor who played Superman on TV, you answer, “The name of the actor that played Superman on TV was George Reeves.”
In what year did Superman first appear in a comic book?
Superman first appeared in a comic book in 1938.
Superman was born on what planet: Superman was born on Krypton.
Name three of Superman’s special powers: Flight, speed, strength, vision, hearing, breath.
How fast is Superman: Superman is fast as a speeding bullet.
Is Superman more powerful than a locomotive? Yes, Superman is more powerful than a locomotive.
How high can he leap (saltar).
Superman can leap tall buildings with a single bound.
What is Superman’s day job? How does he make a living?
Superman is a reporter for a newspaper.
What is his name?
Superman’s name is Clark Kent.
What’s the name of the newspaper?
The Daily Planet
What color is Superman’s costume?
Superman’s costume is blue.
What color is his cape?
Superman’s cape is red.
OK, that concludes today’s lesson. To challenge yourself, practice until you memorize the entire introduction, starting with “Look, up in the sky, and ending with “truth, justice and the American way.”
For many people, memorizing is not easy, so be patient with yourself (paciencia con su mismo). Remember, if it’s difficult, it’s probably the best practice for you.
If you want to watch the first TV episode of Superman, I’ll include a link to YouTube here.
OK, have fun. See you next time.