Using+songs+in+the+Language+Classroom


 * Skillful teaching of songs will guarantee that the students will enjoy singing and help them get the most from it**.

"Tried and True" methods and techniques

 * 1) **“Classic” approach** - Teach the words, play the song, then play it again and have the students sing along.
 * 2) **“Build-up” approach** - Teach one phrase at a time using word strips or writing it on the chalkboard, teach a second phrase, add it to the first line, and so on until you have the entire song written. Then play the song and the students sing along.
 * 3) **“Fill-in” approach -** Many songs are perfect for using the “fill in the blanks” techniques. The teacher selects the point to be emphasized: grammatical pattern, vocabulary words, or cultural concept, and prepares a handout to be given to the students before learning the song. They are told what to listen for and they fill in the blanks as they listen to the song. The teacher can then show a transparency with the answers written in and as they listen to the song the students correct what they have written.
 * 4) **Transcription approach** - This approach works better with advanced classes, beginning class students tend to become discouraged at the difficulty of recognizing the words of a song they hear for the first time. The teacher plays the song and the students write down all the words they recognize. They could brainstorm and help each other out. In many songs there are simple phrases that are repeated several times, and the students catch them immediately.

Use of Visuals
You should make use of visuals as much as possible since it helps the students associate meaning directly and helps them remember the words to the song. Effective visuals for songs include:
 * Transparencies with lyrics or key vocabulary,
 * Printed song sheets (with illustrations if possible)
 * Pictures to help illustrate key or difficult vocabulary
 * Music Videos, taken from DVDs, internet, etc.

Teaching Culture with Songs
There are hundreds of songs that you can use to teach culture, from the national anthem of an Arabic-speaking country, to regional folksongs, to national favorites, to popular singers or musical groups. You should prepare the students before singing so they can better understand the song and the cultural information it will transmit.

Music Games

 * **Lyric Strips** Select a song, print the lyrics and cut them into strips. The more strips, the more difficult the exercise. Arrange students into groups of three or four and give each group a full set of lyrics cut into strips. Play the song. Each group attempts to place the strips in the correct order. Replay the song two or three times. Award points to each group according to how accurately they have arranged their strips.
 * ** Lyrics Bingo ** Prepare a 5x5 grid for each student. Select a song. Write a word from the song in each cell of the grid. Give each student a different grid and play the song. As the students hear a word from the song they cross out the corresponding word on their grid. When a student has crossed out five words in a line, either vertically, horizontally or diagonally, he shouts out, "Bingo!" Stop the music and check the student's grid. Award that student four points if he is correct and minus one point if he is incorrect. Continue the song, awarding three points, then two, then one to each student who correctly shouts, "Bingo!"

RESOURCES: Golden Arabic Lyrics @http://www.arabiclyrics.net/ An open lyrics website for traditional and contemporary Arab singers. Contains lyrics in Arabic, transliteration in English, and an English translation for many songs.

Activities for Teaching Songs