Using Songs in the
EFL Classroom
D. Deubelbeiss
Why use songs when teaching?
Rationale
Affective reasons
Cognitive reasons
Linguistic reasons
Social Reasons
Cultural Reasons
Authentic English!
They are Active!
They have lots of vocabulary!
They are adaptable to needs
They transmit culture!
They are short / condensed.
They are social!
Phonemic awareness!
They are repetitive!
They are up to date!
They are adaptable, obtainable!
Students like them!
ADVANTAGES
 They promote listening practices
through different specific tasks.
 They are a nice way to introduce a
topic, grammar structures.
 They are useful to reinforce linguistic
functions.
 They promote the practice of
pronunciation, intonation and stress.
ADVANTAGES
 They are a nice way to introduce,
practice, and review vocabulary.
 They are useful to practice writing.
 They enrich the knowledge of cultural
features.
 They are a way of developing
language skills.
What kind of things should we consider
when we use songs in our English class?
Use music selectively and purposely
• To practice pronunciation clear lyrics
songs must be chosen
•
• To plan the other materials needed
like realia, puppets, visuals
• Songs must have an easy melody and
rhythm
What kind of songs should we use?
Many kinds of songs!
Pop songs
Jingles
Chants
Nursery Rhymes
Folk Songs
Learning Songs
Commercials Silly Songs Tongue Twisters
Student Created Songs
Holiday Songs
Many kinds of songs!
Pop songs
Jingles
Chants
Nursery Rhymes
Folk Songs
Learning Songs
Commercials Silly Songs Tongue Twisters
Student Created Songs
Holiday Songs
What kind of activities can we do with
songs?
Listen and draw
The top 20
Guess the song
Karaoke
Fall in the note
Sequencing
Specific
Activities
with
songs
Paraphrasing
Structure
Review
Vocabulary
competition
Vocabulary
Prediction
Alphabetical
vocabulary
Filling the gaps
How should we plan our activities?
Shoes and Socks
What do you wear when it’s
cold?
Socks.
Shoes and socks.
Shoes and socks.
What do you wear on your
head?
A hat.
What do you wear on your
hands?
Gloves.
What do you wear when it's
What do you wear on your feet? warm?
Socks.
Socks.
Shoes and socks.
Shoes and socks.
Shoes and socks.
Shoes and socks.
. Hi How are you?
Where’s Jack
.
Where's Jack?
He's not here.
Where did he go?
I don't know.
Where's Mary?
She's not here.
Where did she go?
I don't know.
I like my friends
Where are Sue and
Bobby?
They're not here.
Where did they go?
I don't know.
Where's Mr. Brown?
He's over there.
Where?
Over there,
asleep in the chair.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
How I wonder what you are?
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
How I wonder what you are?
ROSES ARE RED
VIOLETS ARE BLUE
SUGAR IS SWEET
But not as sweet as
YOU!
Sources and Resources
SuperSimpleSongs
EFL Classroom 2.0 Music Bookmarks
Karafun Karaoke
Using Songs and Chants – Caldas University ppt
Reasons for using songs – Kevin Schoepp
Jazz Chants – Carolyn Graham
Kids Karaoke on EFL Classroom 2.0
Song Resources / Downloads