Teach English in YichuAnlu Jiedao - Shanghai Shi

Songs in the ClassroomSongs in the classroom are vital for any student learning a language. Language skills, particularly those related to english, are best taught in an evironment that will introduce students to culture; and that will provide students with proverbial gold mines for pronunciation and retention. That said, bringing and using frequently songs in one's classroom,is the element that creates the 'utopian' environment menationed that is necessary for students to thrive. Songs are the fabric of a culture, giving the listener keys to information and understanding beyond conventional means. Hans Mol: writer/trainer/teacher from Australia in his article, 'Using Songs in the english Classroom,' writes that, ''Now that most music is accessible to almost anyone anywhere, either through radio, CDs, DVDs and downloads from the Internet, learners can enjoy songs from all corners of the globe. Songs used in english classes can, in that way, shed light on interesting musical traditions in countries, but can also teach teens, young adults and adults to appreciate other cultures. For adult learners they can be ?a rich mine of information about human relations, ethics, customs, history, humor, and regional and cultural differences.? Exposure to culture is invauluable tool for one to integrate themselves into their 'language' surroundings. Songs , if chosen correctly, are also very powerful tool for pronunciaton. Pronunciation carries with it the task of making sure the meaning of language is said and understood properly. To do this, songs use stress and rythem to help produce correct pronuncation. The editor for 'Teaching english-Bristish Council-BBC', gives a list of some, ''aspects of pronuncation that can be focused on through songs.? They are as follows: ?Using songs to focus on sounds ?Using songs to focus on words ?Using songs to focus on connected speech *Conclusion And, even though songs are authentic materials, and even while some types of music carry with them slurred speach and too fast a delivery, there are certainly no shortages for songs suitable for punctuation. Learning a language isn't simply repeating information, and cultural association. Language must be retained. To aid in this, songs offer rythems of sound that have rather powerful impacts on cognition. Since music is processed by a different part of the brain than speech, it allows for more easy absorption of information/skills presented in the song. "Music stabilizes mental, physical and emotional rhythms to attain a state of deep concentration and focus in which large amounts of content information can be processed and learned," Chris Brewer, Music and Learning (taken from the article by Englishclub.com,'Music in the ESL Classroom'). Songs are part of everyday life for most people. We sing while driving, mowing the lawn, cooking dinner, taking a shower, walking the dogs, doing the laundry, and sometimes, we even sing in our heads when we don't want to listen to what is being said to us. Songs are created to tell stories, simple or otherwise that the writer has experienced in some way vicariously, or with marks on their souls. Songs unite people in a way that nothing can even compare to. Songs inspire, teach, help grieve, answer questions, and give hope to millions. They are the roots of communcation. Because of that, every teacher should include the use of songs in their classroom. Sources 1. ''Using Songs in the english Classroom? Hans Mol, Australia http://www.hltmag.co.uk/apr09/less01.htm 2.''TeachingEnglish: Developing pronunciation through songs? British Council-BBC http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/articles/developing-pronunciation-through-songs 3. Chris Brewer, ''Music and Learning'' quote 'Using music in the ESL Classroom' http://www.englishclub.com/teaching-tips/music-classroom.htm