Using Songs

What songs do we commonly use?

What happens when we use songs?

Question for discussion

Songs can help us learn vocabulary, grammar and syntax

Children get to hear meaningful language in context

They enhance listening skills

Children get to hear the natural rhythms and stresses of English, which helps pronunciation

Memory aids

Classroom management tools

Why use songs?

Only use it when it fits well

Model the lyrics (sing them yourself)

Analyze the lyrics (if a bit older)

Have students sing

Tips for using songs

Parts of the body

Animals

Numbers

Months/Days

Food

Anything!

What topics can we use songs for?

Too many unknown words/too complex

Unsure where to find songs that fit lesson

What are some potential problems?

Pre teach the new or difficult vocabulary using games and/or flashcards

Play the song a few times as “background music”

Use game

◦ example: have flashcards with vocabulary taped to the board and ask students to clap when they hear one of the words

Overcoming these challenges

Make up actions for words in the song so that they are engaged throughout

Break down the difficulty

Keep it fresh! Don’t overplay a song

Look for new resources! There are lots out there!

Overcoming challenges (cont)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_J-SK00Oaw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It-7xB2UK0I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPzIbbvoiMA

http://www.teachingenglishgames.com/eslsongs.htm

Some song examples

http://english4kids-step-by-step.blogspot.com/2012/09/garden-song-english-vegetable-vocabulary.html

Building on activities with songs