tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586468878598502646.post1975678597490396911..comments2023-09-09T06:04:42.185-07:00Comments on everythingESL - a blog about teaching English Language Learners: Using Music to Teach Language to ELLSeverythingESLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602823159940460014noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586468878598502646.post-22117387641688299922013-11-09T04:52:06.666-08:002013-11-09T04:52:06.666-08:00Hi, Judie! Good idea on using bilingual music. Asi...Hi, Judie! Good idea on using bilingual music. Asians are extremely loyal to their local songs. I teach Koreans and Korean pop is very popular nowadays. The songs of Psy like Gentleman and Gangnam have reached globally. This could be used as jumppoint to switch to English songs. Roger Joneshttp://ielts-singapore.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586468878598502646.post-766771924178496492013-04-23T21:52:13.679-07:002013-04-23T21:52:13.679-07:00Corey your blog is very insightful. I too agree th...Corey your blog is very insightful. I too agree that we spend far too much time worrying about whether or not we are meeting the standards. I believe that we are so focused on the standards that we forget that learning is supposed to be fun and that it's okay to listen to a song that is bilingual. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586468878598502646.post-73976776096556582472011-09-30T18:43:37.586-07:002011-09-30T18:43:37.586-07:00Using music as a form of learning english is a ver...Using music as a form of learning english is a very good way as well especially for kids. I often don't need to argue about having my daughter learn new things when I know she is able to get it without me forcing her once she hears music or songs.CharlesKelsey@Learn Englishhttp://usingamericanenglish.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586468878598502646.post-86913794544753464062011-09-03T18:58:19.505-07:002011-09-03T18:58:19.505-07:00Yes, I agree with teaching through music and songs...Yes, I agree with teaching through music and songs. I'm an ALT in Japan and find this is a way for students to put the language into some kind of context as well. Songs not only allow the students to use the new words, but it's fun. In addition the melodies increase the chances for retention. <br /><br />I also recommend hand movements. Some learners remember well when associated with physical movement. It's also more fun. <br /><br />Great blog!Skype English Lessonhttp://www.gotravelenglish.com/ennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586468878598502646.post-82978594706458132442011-04-14T17:09:34.260-07:002011-04-14T17:09:34.260-07:00Thanks, Corey. I agree - a little less worrying a...Thanks, Corey. I agree - a little less worrying and a lot more fun will make education better for the children AND the adults!Karen Nemethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12165440205620676608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586468878598502646.post-58895590244875218722011-04-14T16:55:42.519-07:002011-04-14T16:55:42.519-07:00Thanks Corey for your thoughtful reply. I agree t...Thanks Corey for your thoughtful reply. I agree that feeling comfortable in the new environment is of prime importance. I think this can be done by having the teacher teach songs in the languages of the students.everythingESLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05602823159940460014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586468878598502646.post-77588990603121538002011-04-14T16:38:49.795-07:002011-04-14T16:38:49.795-07:00I completely agree that when we are focusing solel...I completely agree that when we are focusing solely on pedagogical best practices, then the logical choice is to keep languages completely separate in all situations (songs, stories, etc.).<br /><br />However, I think we often become overly pedantic in our approaches and forget that language learning is about so much more than vocabulary, sentences, grammar, etc.<br /><br />If a teacher happens to come across a great bilingual song that would be fun for the children in class (help them bond, laugh, interact) then I would encourage that teacher to use it in class without worrying that the children were not learning something specific about the English language. <br /><br />Ultimately, ELL classes should be about so much more than just learning words and sentences (written or spoken). It should be about feeling comfortable in an English-speaking environment to the point of wanting to learn the language and what it means to be part of the surrounding English-speaking society. Much of this comes from a trusting bond which develops between student and teacher.<br /><br />Sure, none of this will be part of the standardized testing but the students in that class will be the ones who go on to love learning the language and will excel because they feel comfortable in it.<br /><br />Can we do all of this without introducing bilingual songs or books? Yes, of course. But if we are more concerned about pedagogical minutia than bonding with our students, then we have already started down a slippery slope.<br /><br />The truth is, I think it would be hard to find good bilingual songs anyway! Most are in one language or the other. Let me know if you can find any, I'd be delighted to hear to them!Corey Hellerhttp://www.multilingualliving.com/about/noreply@blogger.com