Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hotpants]

This is what I've just posted to my resources site: (In brief, I've made a karaoke sing along music video for use in the classroom with other vids to follow)

A recent poster on an ESL forum asked if anyone knew of any online links to music videos with subtitles. That got me thinking... I am therefore preparing some such music videos. The first is 'Chihuahua' (remixed version). I'm going to post the lyrics later, but it's probably safe enough (save the liquor store reference) to use with kids in the ESL classroom. You could also do a whole themed lesson around dogs, or specifically, Chihuahuas.

I'm hoping that other teachers could perhaps produce and upload similar videos for songs that have worked for them in the classroom. Then, we can create a new realm of resources! I found that making the video and adding the soundtrack in Window's Movie Maker is pretty fast, but adding the subtitles takes a fair amount of extra time. First, I had to find a transcript of the lyrics online, but the lyrics you find online don't always seem to match the song. Then, I had to isolate each line of the verses and add them at the appropriate frame. Phew...

So, here is the first video (lyrics coming later, 'cus I've got them on my computer at home):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvT2jHc32t0

I must add that I am a non-professional recording artist, and admitedly breach copyright conditions inherent in the soundtracks. However, when you see my dancing in the next video, it'll surpass imprisonment...

[ddeubel]

Karaoke is an excellent classroom tool. Kids love a mic and it also really helps with other parts of the lesson, focusing and also listening. With a mic hooked up to your portable stereo , you save your voice and also the kids at the back can hear clearly. Invaluable.

I have made hundreds of karaoke songs. Korean teachers use them extensively and anyone who wants advice should go to my website. You can download whatever you want, Korean, Kids, Pop , also Cloze exercises. Just download the player at karafun.com and you are set.

I train teachers and train them extensively on the proper way to use karaoke in the class. It is not just putting on a song and having the kids listen and mumble!

If you use any of my files, leave a post if you found them useful or a new way to use them.....also if you have a request, I'll make them . Use the request form, download it and use it. Students will make requests for certain songs.......

DD

[xox]

aww I can't get into your website.
but I was thinking about this song
Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
if only the middle/high school students listened and understood the song.

[Hotpants]

Dddddeuble, I'll think I'll hang up my running shoes and leave the show to you!! (compliment). I hadn't realized that you actually had things like cloze features on your karaoke tunes when you promoted your karaoke pages before. But, now that I've looked a little closer...

[dogshed]

Most of my kids are very withdrawn. The very first day I sang a little bit of a song and then had each kid sing a bit of a song in English. As soon as they sang about 3 words I said something like, "Good job, next." The first kid usually took a couple of minutes and oddly the second kid took longer. After about the fifth kid they figured it out and it goes fast. I write the words "embarrassed" and "participation" on the board. It's really funny when one of them sings Edelweiss and I tell them it's not English. "Was? Das ist nicht English." Should I tell them "Ten Little Indians" is now considered racist?

-Jeff

[Hotpants]

Yesterday, I was playing around with Ddddeubel's suggestion of http://www.karafun.com/ . I can really recommend having a look at it - it's a downloadable karaoke player with options to create your own karaoke video or downloading existing ones - and incorporating it into one or some of your classes. You could create a competition for the best karaoke music video among your class, for example.

I also just wonder here out of interest: How many teachers have classrooms which have for example a large screen linked up to a computer, so that using the computer as a teaching aide is a practical possibility in the class?

[ddeubel]

Thanks for plugging karafun. Believe me, I went over about 8 different players, before I found the right one for my teachers and own use. I had different criteria but mostly wanted something "user friendly" given that many teachers are not so so computer saavy (but probably a little more in general than the average Joe, I may add).

I organized a computer lab last year and many of the kids made videos using karafun and just in the process of making the video/translating, they learned so much. It isn't just about the singing and end product.

I began looking at the use of karaoke because I really wanted a new challenge, a new way of doing my old stuff. As teachers, I think we must often challenge ourselves to do something different.

Next year's challenge for me, will be the computer lab I mentioned. I will put it online in the new year. I found it a wonderful way for kids to learn English and I think English teaching is going in this direction. Where kids/students have more control over the curriculum and methods used and the teacher is more of a facilitator. With my lab, the kids work 250% of the time, learning, learning. I monitor them at the computer, either at my desk (can access all computers) or mostly by strolling and facilitating . The kids work through the lab, traveling across the world , until finally they have completed all the tasks. When completed, they have a full picture of the world done, each time they successfully complete a task, a piece of that puzzle is added.

Just as an aside, I also use karafun for reading books. Great way and entry to phonics. Not by paper but by ear and eye.

DD