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.
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.
