Using songs in class

Songs and music with young learners

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
• Songs often contain current usages of language that are  meaningful to children
• 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