Some thoughts on using songs and some practical ideas for the classroom.

1. Using songs for
language learning
Jo Gakonga
elt-training.com

2. Contents
Why use songs What to use
Potential pitfalls?
Making it easier
Using songs for skills practice
Using songs for Using songs for
vocabulary grammar practice
development
Songs for productive use Useful website

3. Why use songs?

4. They’re fun!

5. Can
add

6. Natural, authentic
language

7. Some evidence to show that
this can aid language learning
http://scienceblogs.com/cognitivedaily/2008/06/19/does-music-help-us-learn-langu/

9. True or false
for L1 songs? for L2 songs?
I always hear all of the words
I notice the chorus
I notice the music/voices/ instruments
I know if I like it or not
I understand the mood of the song
I know what it’s about
I respond physically

10. What to use?

11. What you like?
What they like?

14. Potential pitfalls

15. Can they
understand?
Can you
understand?!

16. Is the song culturally appropriate?

17. What is the aim of the task you plan to use?
Are your practice activities varied ?

18. Making it easier

19. Setting it up well

31. Choosing your tasks

32. First listening tasks.
What is the mood of the song?
Is there one singer or more?
Gender of the singer?
Do you like it? What do you think of it?

34. Listen to the first and last words
What are they?
Who is the song for?
What is it about?

35. Using songs for
skills practice

37. Out on the _______ sailing away,
I can hardly wait,
To see you to ______ ___ ______,
But I guess we'll both,
Just ______ ___ ____ patience,
Yes it's a long way to go,
But ___ _____ __________,
Before you cross the street,
______ my _______,
Life is what happens to you,
While you’re busy making other plans,

38. Out on ____ ocean sailing away,
I ____ hardly wait,
To see you __ come of age,
But I guess we‘__ both,
Just have __ have patience,
Yes it's __ long way __ go,
But __ the meantime,
Before ____ cross ___ street,
Take my hand,
Life ___ what happens __ you,
While you___ busy making other plans,

39. Out on the ocean sailing away,
__________________
To see you to come of age
______________________
Just have to have patience,
________________________
But in the meantime,
________________________
Take my hand
________________________
While you’re busy making other plans,

40. __________________________,
I can hardly wait,
__________________________
But I guess we'll both,
__________________________
Yes it's a long way to go,
__________________________
Before you cross the street,
____________________
Life is what happens to you,
______________________________

41. Speaking/Reading/Writing
Retell the story
Continue the story
Write to one of the protagonists
eg a letter of advice

42. Speaking/Reading/Writing
Discuss issues
Find out about the artist/ song

43. Using songs for
pronunciation

44. Connected speech
“ I’m gonna
I wanna
I cudda
You shudda ”

45. Connected speech
Task –
what does she want to do?

46. Using songs for
vocabulary development

47. high
broke sane
poor short lost

48. I’m broke but I’m happy
I’m poor but I’m kind
I’m short but I’m healthy
I’m high but I’m grounded
I’m sane but I’m overwhelmed
I’m lost but I’m hopeful
How would you explain these antonyms – can
you think of interesting antonyms for….
young tired free

49. Using songs for
grammar practice

51. you 64 ? still Will me feed I’m when

52. Will you still feed me when I’m 64?

53. Grammar
When you are…. 25
40
50
64….
Rich? Live? Married? Children? How
many? Famous? Happy? Healthy?
Grandchildren?

54. Using songs for
productive use

55. My bonnie lies over the ocean
My bonnie lies over the sea
My bonnie lies over the ocean
So, bring back my bonnie to me

56. Useful websites

57. Lyrics training.com