Job Discussion Forums

[zach]

Lately, I've started thinking about teaching English through music. I'm interested to hear from anyone
who has taught English through the medium of music, as I'd appreciate any advice on your part. I considered using the rap/hip-hop genre for its obvious lyric-based qualities. However, as it seems that every other word in most songs is either b-tch, mutha' f--ka, or some other foul, misogynist language, I decided against it.

[zach]

I simply think that music is a really good medium to teach a language.

[scot47]

I just finished teaching a one-semester course on "Practical English" at a Bulgarian University. I used the lyrics of songs. Initially I provided the input but then slowly handed it over to the students. Their task was to present the lyrics of a song to their classmates. I told them "No Heavy Metal, and No Obscenities" Some of them ignored that. It worked well and I am pleased to say that the only complaint was that we cannot continue next semester becasue I am returning to the Middle East to earn some serious money. (Hourly rate teaching here was about 1 Dollar US !!!!!)

[tanya]

Personally, I get sick of transcribing songs for my students. I feel like
I should be charging them for my services. Whenever a student asks me to do this, I turn it into a lesson. I have to approve of the song first, though. Heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest are OK because it's all about fighting the devil and resisting evil or whatever - universal themes. Motley Crue is pretty much about partying until you drop dead - which is what they almost did. Rap can contain some pretty skanky lyrics - I usually shy away from it.

[scot47]

There is a danger that this could be your full-time occupation. The trick is to use it to some pedagogical purpose, and I think if you turn the tables on your students and get them to do as much as posible then you are winning. It is also a good way to introduce them to the idea that they should participate and present. For too many students in Bulgaria the expectation is that they sit and listen and that you teach.TTT equals 100 percent !

I am now headed back to the M.E. where this activity is a total no-no !!!

[Erica]

Hi. I like the idea of teaching with music, but when I do it, i try to find a song that fits into the lesson that has already been planned. for example, if my lesson is about the different conditionals, I will play the song "If I had a million dollars" by the barenaked ladies. If it is about clothing and sizes and different materials, I will play 'Blue suede shoes" by Elvis or 'Yellow Polka Dot Bikini". For adverbs of frequency 'Sometimes" by Britney Spears. The music may not always be the students' ideal, but it will reinforce the lesson in a fun way, and as a side effect the students will learn the new vocabulary from the songs. I try not to use Rap songs because they are generally unrecognizable as English to students, and the meaning behind the songs is totally lost on them. You would have to be teaching a side course in slang!

[Micro67]

I've used Gap Fills in class often and there are a few that go over much better than others. Every student will sing along to S.O.S. by Abba and most Abba songs.

My question is - what songs have you used in class (and to what end) that get the students to really belt it out? :lol:

[Roger]

Sounds great, and judging by the feedback and response in general from my Chinese adult learners it certainly IS entertaining and will keep you and your classes in demand and lively.
But an obvious downside has been pointed out by various posters, and I can safely say, this is the major problem: your students will need an above-average command of English. Otherwise you will end up transcribing the lyrics, and pray, tell me: what purpose would that serve?
Even I find listening to certain songs a bit challenging. Add to that the cultural environment in which such songs are placed, and you get whole generations of foreign students that will remain virtually "illiterate".
Therefore, I would say, songs like those by Simon & Garfunkel("Sound of Silence", for instance) are universally acceptable, as are most Beatles, Leonard Cohen, BeeGees and other songs; but the majority of the whole rest of music won't be understood.

[Shaman]

I had a biz student request the meaning of the lyrics to Stairway to Heaven.

We went through it together, and I asked him what he thought about the symbolism. By the end, we had constructed a pretty interesting reading on it. At the ouset, I would have considered it impossible without used of mind-altering substances.

Shaman

[nolefan]

[Irish Blood English Heart]

Im going to bread a right bunch of miserable students as I intend to use Dido and Morrissey to help with lessons as both have clear and good voices without swearing.

[denise]

I have used similar mopey stuff in some of my classes--the Smiths, the Cure, Placebo, etc. Sadly, I just don't think the kids got it...

In my listening class now, one of the students' projects is to bring in a song of their own. They have to get it approved before-hand by bringing me both the song and the lyrics--I need to make sure it's comprehensible! They must also make their own activity. So far the gap-fill is the most popular, but I've given them other options as well. While they are listening, I write some of the vocabular/idioms on the board.

I like giving them the freedom to present their own music--hopefully it will get them more interested in the activities. The down side is that I am potentially going to have to listen to some pretty crappy stuff.

d

[johnslat]

Ah, it does my old heart good to see the name of that most poetic of songsters, Leonard Cohen, mentioned twice so far on this thread. These sites give many of his lyrics:

http://homepage.usask.ca/~mid422/lcindex.htm

http://www.lyred.com/lyrics/Leonard+Cohen/New+Skin+For+The+Old+Ceremony/


Has anyone used any of Tom Waits' stuff? Here's a web site that gives some of his lyrics:

http://tom-waits.spb.ru/lyrics/all_lyrics_e.php3

Regards,
John

[yaramaz]

Dear John,

Being a long-term Waits admirer, but reluctant to bring his works to my students, thanks to your inspiring recommendations I have at long last decided to use a song relevant to my students lives. My grade 9s will have 45 minutes to figure this one out. I am pretty sure they will understand the word 'Istanbul'. Insh'allah the rest will follow.


Telephone Call From Istanbul
by Tom Waits

All night long on the broken glass
livin in a medicine chest
mediteromanian hotel back
sprawled across a roll top desk
the monkey rode the blade on an
overhead fan
they paint the donkey blue if you pay
I got a telephone call from Istanbul
my baby's coming home today
will you sell me one of those if I shave my head
get me out of town is what fireball said
never trust a man in a blue trench coat
never drive a car when you're dead
Saturday's a festival
Friday's a gem
dye your hair yellow
and raise your hem
follow me to beulah's on
dry creek road
I got to wear the hat that my baby done sewed
take me down to buy a tux
on red rose bear
got to cut a hole in the day
I got a telephone call from Istanbul
my baby's coming home today

PS: Next week, Leonard Cohen:
Don't Go Home With Your Hard-On

I was born in a beauty salon My father was a dresser of hair My mother was a girl you could call on When you called she was always there When you called she was always there When you called she was always there When you called she was always there When you called she was always there Ah but don't go home with your hard-on It will only drive you insane You can't shake it (or break it) with your Motown You can't melt it down in the rain You can't melt it down in the rain You can't melt it down in the rain You can't melt it down in the rain I've looked behind all of the faces That smile you down to you knees And the lips that say, Come on, taste us And when you try to they make you say Please When you try to they make you say Please When you try to they make you say Please When you try to they make you say Please When you try to they make you say Please Ah but don't go home with your hard-on ... Here come's your bride with her veil on Approach her, you wretch, if you dare Approach her, you ape with your tail on Once you have her she'll always be there Once you have her she'll always be there Once you have her she'll always be there Once you have her she'll always be there Once you have her she'll always be there Ah but don't go home with your hard-on ... So I work in that same beauty salon I'm chained to the old masquerade The lipstick, the shadow, the silicone I follow my father's trade I follow my father's trade Yes I follow my father's trade Yes I follow my father's trade Yes I follow my father's trade Ah but don't go home with your hard-on It will only drive you insane You can't shake it (or break it) with your Motown You can't melt it down in the rain You can't melt it down in the rain You can't melt it down in the rain You can't melt it down in the rain You can't melt it down in the rain You can't melt it down in the rain You can't melt it down in the rain You can't melt it down in the rain You can't melt it down in the rain

[Joachim]

Dido tends to work - although not the "Thank You" song - she sings too fast at certain points and my students say (and I agree) that it worked much better as a sample on Eminem's song.

Other good songs - bearing in mind I have only taught in Asia and I am kind of going along with music they appreciate are:

"Crawling" - Linkin Park
"What If" - Kate Winslet (yes, really)
"Summer Son" - Texas
"Frozen" - Madonna
"Round Round" - Sugababes (worth it for the looks on thier faces!)
"Break Me" - Jewel
"Tiny Dancer" - Elton john
"With or Without You" - U2
"It's A Sin" - Pet Shop Boys
"Should I Stay Or Should I Go?" - The Clash
"Something Stupid" - Robbie & Nicole

I tend to use these as gap-fills at the beginning of class