This document discusses the importance of language play, such as rhythm and repetition, in language learning. It argues that language play is not trivial but rather central to learning. Children are sensitive to and enjoy language play before fully understanding content. Rhythm, rhyme and repetition in children's songs and verses help children memorize language and gain control over vocalization. Language play should be incorporated into language teaching as it makes learning fun and stimulates brain activity. Examples of students engaging with language through rap and song are provided to support these points.

1. LANGUAGE PLAY, LANGUAGE LEARNING
Kiki Chen

2. LANGUAGE PLAY, LANGUAGE LEARNING
GUY COOK
Part I
Part II
The forms of language play:
rhythm and repetition in children’s verse
The implications for applied linguistics and
language teaching.

3.  Most studies in linguistics have tended to
neglect the child’s linguistic environment.
RHYTHM AND REPETITION IN CHILDREN’S VERSE
 Cook suggests that is not right to neglect the
“uselessness’ of verbal play in studying
language.

4.  How does a pre-linguistic child respond
when he/she listens to rhymes or verses
that are pervasive to their environment?
RHYTHM AND REPETITION IN CHILDREN’S VERSE

5. KIDS SONGS: THIS LITTLE PIGGY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMrH47btpV0

6. KIDS SONGS: ROUND AND ROUND
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00N6CXDc2A4&feature=channel&list=UL

7.  Children are sensitive too, and enjoy playful
language before they can fully understand its
content.
RHYTHM AND REPETITION IN CHILDREN’S VERSE
 Even non-functional uses of language, like
repetition, rhythm, and nonsense words ,are
manifestations of linguistic play.
 Children are predisposed to respond to rhythm,
rhyme, and repetition.

8. READING PEEPO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5b8FhY1smQ

9.  Familiarization through the repetition, rhyme,
and a simple beat help children to memorize
and produce language above their current
ability.
RHYTHM AND REPETITION IN CHILDREN’S VERSE
 Verse provides a model to imitate and practice
control over vocalization.
 Progression from verse as rhythm and
interaction to verse as grammar and its
meaning.

10. RHYTHM AND REPETITION IN CHILDREN’S VERSE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxJCsv6qsGc&feature=related

11.  The functions of verse provide a path into
language acquisition.
RHYTHM AND REPETITION IN CHILDREN’S VERSE
 Help the child to gain control over difficult new
language and ideas.
 Characterized language play has strong
parallels in the rhythms of bodily behavior(heart
beats, breathing) and daily routines.
 Language play should be related to creativity and the
imagination that relates to learning to speak the
language .

12. COCK A DOODLE DOO!
video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic-i8Fazqjo

13.  Evidence shows that verse rhythm stimulates
the brain to release pleasurable endorphin.
RHYTHM AND REPETITION IN CHILDREN’S VERSE
 Our liking for verse has other advantages for
our species, which continue into adulthood such
as an increased ability for social coordination
and increase in memory power.
 Rhythmic language stimulates a greater co-
ordination of the left and right hemispheres of
the brain and enables richer cerebral activity.

14.  Examples of Chinese Musical Rhythmic
Material.
(Unit Shopping) (Make your own to fit your
lesson!)
THE IMPLICATIONS FOR APPLIED LINGUISTICS AND
LANGUAGE TEACHING.
 Student’s presentation- Rap
( Encourage students to product)
 Different age students they all enjoy the
language play and able to produce.
 Learning is Fun ! Language teaching is fun!

15. MUSICAL RHYTHMIC-KIKI ( UNIT SHOPPING)
http://my-ecoach.com/project.php?id=17359&project_step=77854

16. K-5 GRADE STUDENTS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUW00eJmWhg&feature=youtu.be

17. WRITING CHEERS

18. LANGUAGE PLAY, LANGUAGE LEARNING

19. LANGUAGE PLAY, LANGUAGE LEARNING

20. STUDENT’S PRESENTATION- RAP HIGH SCHOOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl9b4Gffuuw

21. DISCUSSION
 Do you think the playful use of language
does not end with our childhood, but
continues throughout our lives? Why or why
not?
 It fulfills a major function of language,
allowing the human ability to adapt: as
individuals, as societies, and as a species.

22. DISCUSSION
 Do you agree that language play should not
be thought of as a trivial activity, but as
central to human thought and culture, to
learning, creativity, and intellectual inquiry?

23. DISCUSSION
 Will you consider adding rhythm or repetition
into your current language lesson plan?