Using Music in EFL classrooms

The use of music in the EFL classroom can make the entire learning process more enjoyable. Songs have become an essential part of our language experience and if they are used on coordination with a language lesson they can be of great value. Research shows that songs used in the EFL classroom for effective, cognitive and linguistic reasons.

Regarding the effective reasons, Saricoban & Metin (2000) have found that songs can develop the four skill areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Also, Lo & Li (1998) offer a similar suggestion, writing that learning English through songs develop a non-threatening classroom atmosphere in which the four language skills can be enhanced.

Moreover, songs present opportunities for developing “automaticity” which is the main cognitive reason for using songs in the classroom. According to Gatbonton and Segalowitz (1988, p.473) “automaticity” is a component of language fluency which involves both knowing what to say and producing language rapidly without pauses. Using songs in the EFL classroom can help automatize the language development process.

Singing can build students confidence by allowing them to enjoy a degree of fluency in English before they have achieved it in speaking! For years, it was believed that automatization would occur through repetitive exercises in a non-communicative environment. However, the major shift towards COMMUNICATIVE TEACHING METHODOLOGY shows that “automatization” occurs in a different way. 

Catbonton and Segalowitz (1988, p.476) state that we must “place students in an environment in which it is appropriate to use target utterances in a genuinely communicative fashion”.

For example, a song such “Sailing” by Rod Stewart help students to focus on the present continuous tense. This repetitive style of the song motivates students to create their own “present continuous sentences” based upon their own interest and following of course the same tune as the song.

Another example is the song “Imagine” by John Lennon which provides great opportunities for students, to focus on zero conditional, simple present, future with will and imperatives. It’s a slow song, with clear lyrics, no accent problems and very easy to be sang. It’s style lends to an activity in which students can imagine their own ideal world and create their own lyrics following the same tune as the song.

Writing a song is a great exercise for English language learners. It gives them the chance to experiment with language, vocabulary, and grammar and of course to express and share their ideas with their peers. It is wonderful to offer to EFL students the opportunity to engage in creative writing and facilitating, in this way, language acquisition. Also, students, begin writing their own lyrics, they can become much more aware of the lyrics of English songs and become more interested in listening to English songs more carefully and more frequently. This can lead to greater long-term motivation and exposure to English input.

Jourdaine(1998) states that music can enhance language acquisition by strengthening links between the areas of affect and cognition in the brain and utilizing the links between right brain stimulation and language skills.

Furthermore, there is a linguistic reason for using songs in the classroom. Some songs are excellent examples of colloquial English, the language of Informal conversation. Using a song in the EFL classroom can prepare students for the genuine language they will be faced with. If students are exposed to songs which they enjoy more, learning is likely to occur since they may seek out the music outside of the classroom.

In addition studies have shown that music in the classroom brings a sense of community to a group, relaxes students who are overwhelmed or stressed, improves concentration, improves memory and makes learning fun.

There is nothing more rewarding for a teacher to see her/his students smile and laugh while they learn. The same can be said for students; students who are taught in a fun and creative way love coming to class.

I really enjoy using songs in EFL classrooms. I know how effective these songs can be and I feel that the barriers become smaller. There are a variety of different ways to use music in the classroom.

I usually:

1. Use music such as classical or natural sounds or music for energy to inspire creativity or to change the mood in the class (liven things up or calm things down).
2. Teach a song that uses a new tense.
3. I have introduced to my students use a song to inspire a class discussion.
4. Use music to review materials (background music improves memory). Students relax and feel a little bit more comfortable in class.
5. Motivate students to read lyrics and search for main idea and theme.
6. Use music to teach listening for details and gist.
7. Use music to introduce a new topic.
8. Teach a song to build vocabulary and improve reading comprehension.
9. Motivate my students to write their own songs in English. I know that it is difficult to write a song because you need to find an effective title, to build lyrics, to create powerful ideas. But writing a song or a poem is a fantastic experience for English Language Students because they can express themselves freely.

This is a song written by one of my students in C Class. Her name is Niki Tyraki and she is 12 years old.

“YOU AND I”

Hello, my name’s Niki

I’m twelve!

I’ve got brown hair!

I’ve got brown eyes!

I do everything on time

I enjoy my life!

I have a good time!

I love my classmates

Despina, Catherine,

Maria, Marilena,

Apo, Phillip, Mantho,

Aphrodite and Chara

We are all together every time

We enjoy our time!

We are ten! We are ten!

We love our teacher

And she loves us too!

We are together on breaks!

We are good on plays!

We are ten! We are ten!

With our teacher

We are friends!

We are THE BEST!

As someone said “Music is the Universal Language of Mankind”

Article by English Teacher Gkavea Alexandra