Teenagers: Songs
Teenagers love listening to music. Here are some ideas for using songs in class.
Songs and music with secondary students (11+)
Why use songs and music with this age group?
- Children like songs and music and have strong personal preferences about what they like
- Songs often include a lot of repetition that helps to make language memorable
- Songs contain chunks of language that children can remember and use
- There are many songs that are about issues of interest to this age group
- Songs often contain current usages of language that are meaningful to children of this age group
- Because songs are sung at a reasonably fast speed they contain natural phonological features like linking and weak forms that students learn to recognise and be comfortable with
- Music can help promote a relaxed, stress-free atmosphere in the classroom
- Music can stimulate strong feelings that can be channelled to enrich the language learning experience
Teaching with songs
Teenagers: Songs 1: Music in the background
Having music playing in the background during lessons can be very successful in most contexts, though not all cultures will be happy with this, of course.
Teenagers: Songs 2: Music as a stimulus for speaking
Visualisation is a tool you can use to help stimulate students’ imagination, encourage them to speak to each other and as a preparation for writing.
Teenagers: Songs 3: Music as a stimulus for writing
A great way to use music in a writing activity.
Teenagers: Songs 4: Activities
Using pop songs in the classroom is a common activity. They are an enjoyable alternative to the traditional listening comprehension.
Teenagers: Songs 5: Discussion and presentation
Songs can be a good starting point for a discussion or a presentation.
Teenagers: Songs 6: Songs and grammar
Ideas for using songs to teach grammar.
