TEFL Jiyuan

Music is a universal language. Music can inspire. Music can motivate. Music can move us. Music can teach us. In the classroom music can be used to teach ideas, rehearse sounds, and repeat important words. Songs can be adapted to just about any subject and can make learning a little more fun and memorable. In addition, music can be used for transitions and background as the class moves through the learning process. The article will examine these to primary uses of songs in the classroom – songs for learning and songs for transitions and backgrounds. Songs for Learning children at their youngest ages develop an affinity for music. Simple songs enter the lives of children in every culture and usually pertain to learning. Most english speaking children learn the “A-B-C” song long before entering school. Research has shown that music offers a number of benefits in the classroom including: • improving concentration • improving memory • bringing a sense of community to a group • motivating learning • relaxing people who are overwhelmed or stressed • making learning fun • helping people absorb material • {source: 1.} Music can be chosen according the style and type that is popular with students and appropriate for the age group. I have found in working with younger students that playing simple, universally known folk songs will get every student involved and smiling. Popular songs generally offer short, common words with many personal pronouns, and are often written on the fifth grade level, making them accessible to nearly all students. Lyrics are generally at a slower pace and offer a great deal of repetition. {source: 2.} Because songs are rhythmical and fluid they help develop speech patterns that are more conversational and natural sounding. Many popular songs use colloquialisms that help older students connect with real-life use of the language. The “ Schoolhouse Rock!” series has successfully implemented songs for learning for younger students for many years covering such wide-ranging topics as math, science, grammar, and civics. {source: 4.} Numerous CD’s and videos are available to teachers, and those teachers fortunate enough to be competent singers and instrumentalists can thoroughly engage a classroom. Songs in the classroom offer many direct benefits to learning and the enjoyment of learning. Music will always enhance the learning process. Songs for Transitions and Backgrounds While music can focus directly on learning and specifics of grammar, it can also be used to enhance the learning environment being used as transitional or background music. Songs can be used every day as a welcome and warm-up for class. Some teachers end every class with a song. Music can also be played during the reading and study phase of a lesson to set a relaxing mood or build an inspired feeling. Studies have suggested “The Mozart Effect” concept that students listening to Mozart in the background while studying or relaxing tended to perform better on tests than control groups. {source: 4.} Summary Both research and anecdotal evidence strongly indicates that using songs in the classroom can offer benefits to students and enhance the learning environment. Songs for learning mix fun, repetition, and a cultural connection to real-life english. Songs for transitions and backgrounds set the mood and establish feelings. Using songs in the classroom offers unique opportunities to teachers of english. Bibliography 1. Using Music in the esl Classroom http://www.englishclub.com/teaching-tips/music-classroom.htm 2. Reasons for Using Songs in the esl/efl Classroom Kevin Schoepp Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey http://iteslj.org/Articles/Schoepp-Songs.html 3. Using Music in the Adult esl Classroom Kristin Lems National-Louis University December 2001 http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/digests/music.html 4. Music In The esl Classroom http://esl.about.com/od/esleflteachingtechnique/a/brainmusic.htm