Using music in the english second language (ESL) classroom

Using music in the English
Second Language (ESL)
classroom


Music is said
To be history, it’s an indication of the time and
environment in which it was created.
To be a foreign language, it has its own
language and uses symbols to represent ideas
To be the universal language that everyone
understands
To be a tie that binds all cultures and languages
To be one of the best ways to make learning
English fun, interesting and enjoyable


Music of
makes
language
learning
The significance
music
in education

interesting, it's a way to make
learning more interesting and
memorable
students
of all and
Music is international

whichfor
could
be shared,
levels
enjoyed by people
of different linguistic and
cultural backgrounds.

Music enables learners to relax in a learning
atmosphere, helps to create an enjoyable
Music bridges the gap between teachers and
environment for learning. It reduces pressure and
students, helps to bring teachers and students
tension in the class.
closer together


Why use songs and music with teenagers?
•Music can help promote a relaxed, stress-free
atmosphere in the classroom
•Songs often contain authentic, natural language
-not stilted language found in many student texts
• new vocabulary can be introduced through
songs -contain contemporary vocabulary, idioms
, expressions and useful phrases


•Songs are usually easily available - usually
the internet which can connect you with song
downloads in all

•Songs can be selected to suit the needs and
interests of the students
•Students can experience a wide range of
accents - such as British English, American
English, Australian English


Teaching is an art – use new methods to create
enjoyable atmosphere
SOME INSTRUCTIONS
 Select songs for teaching materials
Songs should have an appropriate theme
Language has to be suitable level of difficulty
 Songs have to be clear, make sense and do not
contain a lot of unknown vocabulary
Focus on the skill or skills you wish to work on
in the lesson
Pre-teach some key vocabulary as necessery
Let students listen to the songs at least once, it
"wakes up" the class and ensure everyone’s
attention


Related activities for using of the
songs
• Gap fills
• Write out the song lyrics but leave gaps instead of
some words. For example, gap all the verbs or
adjectives.
• Students listen and fill in the missing words.

They may need to listen two or three times.
• If you feel the students will find it difficult, the
missing words can be written in phonetics or
give some letters


JUMBLED LINES OR MIXED
SENTENCES
• Write out the song lyrics, but this time jumble
the lines and students have to put them into the
correct order while listening to the song.
• Write the middle words of the sentence on the
board then give the other words
• The students' task is to decide which words go
in front and which ones go behind


SPOT THE MISTAKES
• Write out the lyrics of the song, but make
mistakes e.g. change the tense, write an opposite
or synonym instead of the correct word
• The first time the students have to underline the
words that are different
• The second (or third) time actually write the
correct form what they hear above the word or
phrase that is wrong.


TRANSLATION ACTIVITY
• In pairs or small groups, students choose a

popular song in their Mother Tongue and
translate it into English
• They could also do it the other way round
choosing a (pop) song in English and translate
it into their own language
• Translation in groups can encourage learners
to discuss the meaning and use of language,
to compare similarities and differences in
another language


The Killers
are an American
post-punk revival band
READING
COMPREHENSION
from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2002. The band
consists of Brandon Flowers (vocals, keyboards),
Dave Keuning (guitar, vocals), Mark Stoermer (bass
guitar, vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (percussion,
drums).
Part of the post-punk revival movement, The Killers
draw their influences from music styles of the 1980s.
The group's debut album, Hot Fuss (2004) brought
the band mainstream success. The Killers' second
album, Sam's Town, was released in 2006, and the
compilation album Sawdust containing B-sides,
rarities, and new material, was released in 2007.
Their third studio album, Day & Age, produced by
Stuart Price, was released in November 2008.

Answer the questions
1. Where does the band "The Killers" come from?
2. What is the name of the lead singer?
3. Who plays the drums?
4. How many musicians play in the band?
5. Which decade were they influenced by?
6. How many albums does the band have?
7. What is the name of their first album?
8. Can you explain what B-sides are?
9. What is the name of their last album?
10. Who produced it?


LISTENING COMPREHENSION
 Get your students thinking about
the subject

Do
any
pre-teaching
vocabulary as necessary

of

 There are a variety of exercises
that you can do with songs: true or
false, matching exercises, open
comprehension questions, etc.

DISCUSSION OF THEMES
Choose a song that deals with a topic of interest
to your students (e.g. Imagine by John Lennon
which is about peace and brotherhood)
Do a listening activity like a gap fill
Follow up with a careful reading of the song
and a discussion on its theme(s)


PRESENTATIONS
• Students can work individually, in pairs or small
groups
• They choose a favorite singer, group, musician,
composer
• They can research and collect information
(internet, magazines etc)
• They produce presentation about
biography/style/career…etc. It can be a talk, a
role play, interview or sketch
• They can do it in written form – producing
poster, booklet, magazine article


SMILE


1. Listen to the first part of the song and
fill in the gaps with the words in the box:

Smile, though your _______is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
clouds, face,
When there are ______in the sky
fear, heart,
You'll get by...
life, sorrow,
If you smile
tomorrow,
With your ________and ________
worthwhile,
Smile and maybe ___________
You'll find that _________is still ____________
If you just...


2. Listen to the 2nd part and choose
the right word.
Light up your face/trace with sadness/gladness
Hide every face/trace of sadness/gladness
Although a near/tear may be ever so near/tear
That's the time you must keep on crying/trying
Smile, what's the use of crying/trying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...


3. Find all the words you can relate to good or bad
feelings. Write them in separate columns. Use the
dictionary when necessary.

4. Listen to the song again and underline the "ing" forms. Do you know why these verbs are in
this "-ing" form?
5. Watch Chaplin Video-Smile, Modern Time, 1936
(2:06)
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Homework – reading
comprehension
You can know more curiosities about Michael
Jackson
Go to this page and find the answers to the
questions
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e.g. How old was Michael Jackson when he
started singing?
What’s his most famous album?
When and why did he get 8 Grammy awards?


USEFUL LINKS
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/>eateyourown/instructions.htm