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Songs in the ClassroomWhy use songs? Music is actually a fun and interesting way to teach language. First of all, we are all exposed to music in one way or another, and it's really very difficult to find someone who does not like or appreciate music or singing. Certain types of music are said to improve one's mood, and induce relaxation. They can also enhance creativity and concentration. Songs also have identifiable, attention-getting sound patterns, and can serve as mnemonic devices that can improve memory. Songs can help to hone one's listening skills as well. What will I teach? Many popular songs have lyrics which can be used to teach the following: 1. Literary devices ? Similes Metaphors Personification 2. Grammar ? Verb tenses Modals Adjectives Conditionals Sentence structures 3. Vocabulary, idioms and expressions Pronunciation and rhyming sounds How will I teach it? Song lyrics play a vital role here, and are a good springboard for planning language-learning activities. Some ways are: 1. Fill-in-the-blank - this can come in handy when teaching vocabulary (Ex. ?I'm a __________, passing by like Lady Godiva?1 - answer: rocketship) Matching type - aside from teaching vocabulary, it can be useful for teaching context clues (Ex. ?'Jaws' was never my scene, and I don't like 'Star Wars'!?2 - When something is not my scene, it means a. I don't like it b. I don't know anything about it c. I don't think about it) Search and find - for example, students have carefully listen to ?Macarthur Park? in order to look for the similes & metaphors used in the lyrics Change it - students can enjoy experimenting with song lyrics by substituting and trying out different types of nouns, adjectives, etc. Analysis - for the more advanced students, they can analyze the lyrics of a song and write a critique about it Lipsynching - a fun activity where the students memorize a song of their choice, and lipsynch it in front of an audience. This is a great way to learn about stress, intonation and pronunciation What songs can I use? When teaching children, it's clearly obvious that songs with strong language aren't allowed. But even with adult learners, a teacher still has to carefully choose what songs he / she can use in the classroom. Some songs contain controversial themes which may be rather sensitive for certain nationalities. Other learners frown on songs that contain too many slang terms or expletives. Another thing to consider is that many songs have lyrics that are not always grammatically correct. Many rap songs are delivered at a very fast pace and aren't pronounced or clearly enunciated. There is also the appropriateness of the songs to keep in mind. Heavy metal songs wouldn't be a good choice for a class of elderly students, for example. Once you've decided on the songs you'd like to use, do some research. Use internet search engines for the lyrics, and get to know the backgrounds of your songs. These can serve to keep your students interested, focused and motivated. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sources used: http://www.pearsonlongman.com/cuttingedge/teachers/tt_songs.html http://www.hltmag.co.uk/apr09/less01.htm http://www.englishclub.com/teaching-tips/music-classroom.htm http://iteslj.org/Articles/Schoepp-Songs.html http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/instructor/jan05_music.htm http://www.esl-lounge.com/songstop.shtml
