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How to Teach English to Children Online, Using Music Angela V. Woodhull, Ph.D. (Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the ITTT TESL Course Certification) July 28, 2019 INTRODUCTION Most children enjoy music very much. When children are first learning a new language, there is a lot of repetition when learning new words. For example, when they are learning the names of furniture pieces, (e.g., bed, table, chair, sofa, desk, etc.), they are generally shown pictures and told to repeat the words over and over again. Toward the end of lesson, they are, once again, shown photos or pictures of pieces of furniture, such as a sofa, table, chair, etc. The children are then quizzed, “What is this?” Oftentimes, they may not remember the English word. Learning new words generally requires repeating the words over and over again while looking at pictures. But what if music was included? In that way, instead of monotonously repeating the same words over and over again, the children could sing an interesting and catchy song multiple times. This, indeed, takes the monotony out of learning. Learning new words becomes almost effortless when interesting and catchy songs are included. In this paper, I propose that lessons for children include the following elements: 1. Introduce a topic that interests children, such as “Fun Facts about Pigs.” 2. Introduce the keywords for the lesson about pigs, etc. 3. Use these keywords in a catchy song. 4. Allow the children to read or sing the song as often as they like. Each song should be included in a power point format. 5. Include either a story, sentences, or facts that use the keywords from the lesson. 6. Include a fun review quiz at the end of the song. In sum, the online lesson should include three parts in power point format. Part One: facts, a story, keywords, sentences. (Sometimes, only keywords and sentences using the keywords are included. Other times, there is a story and keywords.) Part Two: A catchy song that reinforces the keywords Part Three: A quiz that tests the learner on the new words that were learned during the lesson. THE LINK BETWEEN MUSIC AND LANGUAGE LEARNING Several university studies have indicated that learning a new language through the use of repetitive lyrics and music is an effective and fun way for children to become familiar with the new language: [1] “Singing in a foreign language can help people recall phrases with greater accuracy.” (Ludke, Karen M., “Songs and singing in foreign language learning,” Memory and Cognition, November 26, 2010) Retried from: https://www.era.lib.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/5500) [2] “Sixth grade children learned English easier through songs.” (Calle Urgilez, Lorenza Yadira, Ginin Lupercio, Monica Alexandra, “Using songs to enhance English as foreign language in the classroom with children of sixth level of basic education at "Juan Girón Sánchez" elementary school of San Fernado,’ 72 page dissertation thesis). Retrieved from: http://dspace.ucuenca.edu.ec/handle/123456789/4334) [3] “Language is Music,” (Zaraysky, Susanna, 2013). Retrieved from: ( http://www.lingholic.com/how-to-learn-languages-through-music-an-interview-with-susanna-zaraysky/) [4] “Seven Reasons Why You Should Sing to Learn Languages,” (Lewis, Benny, 2016). Retrieved from: http://www.fluentin3months.com/sing-to-learn-languages/) [5] “Learning Language Through Music: 3 Keys to Unlock Any Language,” (Stevie D, Fluent U, 2016). Retrieved from: www.fluentu.com/blog/learning-language-through-music/) EXAMPLES Angela V. Woodhull, Ph.D., has written more than 300 songs as ESL learning lessons for children. Here are some sample lyrics: Example One From a song titled “Furniture” (swing-style music) I’ve got a couch and a table And a chair and a bed! Everybody needs furniture! I’ve got a chest, and a sofa, and a bench that’s red! Everybody needs furniture! Furniture! Furniture! Everybody needs furniture! Everybody needs furniture! Example Two In a song about pigs, children learn that pigs enjoy rolling in the mud to stay cool because they don’t have sweat glands. So, in this song, they are learning interesting animals facts plus new vocabulary words and sentences. Where are all the piggies? Rolling n the mud! Piggy one, piggy two Piggy, piggy, piggy, I see you! (This lesson also includes a story about Piggy Figgy, that reinforce the keywords, and also information about different kinds of pigs.) Example Three In a lesson about cows, children learn feeling words and adjectives. Here are some of the lyrics. What would you do, if you could only moo? If you could only moo, what would you do? Cows have only one word – Moo! Moo, moo, moo, moo, moo! Moo, moo, moo, moo! And if you were happy You’d say moo! And if you were blue, You’d say moo! And if you were thirsty, You’d say moo! Moo, moo, moo, moo, moo! Moo, moo, moo, moo! (This lesson also includes interesting facts about cows and a fun quiz at the end of the lesson.) There are more than 100 of these colorful animated power point lesson altogether. Summary Most children enjoy listening to music and singing songs. By using original songs that reinforce keywords, ESL students can become more proficient in English in a fun and interesting way! Research also indicates that music enhances language learning.
