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It’s not an exaggeration to say that everyone likes music, or at the very least some form of music. Young people and children are especially influenced by music, as nursery rhymes have been around for centuries. Integrating songs, chants and music into lessons creates a fun engaging environment, as well as a learning one. Music and songs don’t only develop listening skills. Younger learners are encouraged to sing or chant along with the teacher, developing speaking skills. Lyrics can also be read by the students out loud without needing to sing, something older kids might prefer to do in the classroom, developing reading skills. When used in certain activities that can include song writing, all skills can potentially be developed. While there’s an endless supply of songs to choose from, authentic and non-authentic, the challenge lies in sorting though all those to find the most clearly spoken and theme related. Popular songs can also be a little inappropriate for the classroom and young learners, it’s important to find censured or “clean” versions of songs if necessary. One of the problems songs can present is the sheer amount of new vocabulary that may be introduced. This can be remedied, at least to an extent, by picking that vocabulary out beforehand and introducing or reviewing it during a study phase. This can be less of a problem when using nursery rhymes, but even then, certain vocabulary concerning animals, places, or even food can be reviewed to ensure further understanding of the vocabulary For younger learners, ages five to nine, music can be an easy and fun activity that everybody is likely to be engaged with. Chants and nursery rhymes are more appropriate and on the level of younger learners than older young learners. The repetition is similar to drilling, and there are movements and gestures that can be mimed for songs like “Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes.” The approach with music is very different when teaching older young learners, ages nine to thirteen. They don’t exactly want to listen to nursery rhymes, and can be very reluctant to sing. Making lyrics the focus of the lesson, as well as the meanings and cultural impacts of songs, especially as they relate to topics and themes, can be more engaging and interesting to older kids. This can include simple study phases going over vocabulary to creative activities involving writing or even analyzing lyrics. The vocabulary in more mature and popular songs can sometimes be too difficult for the English level of the students, when faced with these it’s best to keep explanations and definitions as simple as possible, so as not to confuse the students or require further explanations. Like most activities, classroom management is needed to keep order, more so with younger learners. Singing can sometimes encourage children to be loud, this can be a good thing to get the kids more engaged, but it’s important to not let the noise become unruly or the teacher might find it difficult to regain control and leadership. Being in front and at the head of the class, especially when using chants, can help retain an authoritative presence. Songs and music are arguably some of the most fun and engaging activities to bring into the classroom, developing both receptive and productive skills, and keeping the interest of the students. Music can be very important to young people, and can even be responsible for teaching them some English outside the classroom, it makes sense to bring it into the classroom and utilize it’s influence over young learners.
