Fun Folk Songs for teaching English to Asians

Subject: Fun Folk Songs for teaching English
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 08:07 PM

I was at a church music workshop last week and met a Franciscan brother who lives half the time in Vietnam. He makes wonderful translations of songs written in Vietnamese for Catholic worship, and he's an extraordinary musician. It's a joy to hear him play Vietnamese music on the piano.

BUT he heard me sing "The Key of R" at an evening concert, and now he wants to know some "fun" songs to use in teaching English to adults in Vietnam. I suggested "Hole in the Bottom of the Sea" and "Green Grow the Rushes," and some cowboy songs. Somebody suggested "There's a Hole in the Bucket, Dear Liza."

Any other suggestions?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Fun Folk Songs for teaching English to Asians
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 05:00 AM

www.songsforteaching.com/folk

Subject: RE: Fun Folk Songs for teaching English to Asians
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 02:58 PM

Try rounds like: Row, Row, Row Your Boat and London's Burning. I have used them in special needs with efl students. They are fun to try and require timing and listening skills which are both useful for Efl students. One man went to mow, is another especially for extending vocabulary since it could go on for ever.

Subject: RE: Fun Folk Songs for teaching English to Asians
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 03:59 PM

Yes,
Lots of simple accumulative songs like: The Barley Mow, Everlasting Circle, Herring's Head, The Mallard, lots of well-known songs with simple, easily remembered tunes like 'My Bonny lies over the ocean, The Mermaid, sea shanties. Enumerative songs like This Old Man.

Subject: RE: Fun Folk Songs for teaching English to Asians
From: Tootler
Date: 19 Jun 09 - 06:25 PM

Don't ignore nursery rhymes. They usually have easily memorised tunes and are quite short. Although we think of them as children's songs many of them started out as anything but.

Subject: RE: Fun Folk Songs for teaching English to Asians
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 01:35 AM

refresh - any other ideas?

Sippin' Cider Through a Straw would be another.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Fun Folk Songs for teaching English to Asians
From: Monique
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 07:37 AM

It all depends on the knowledge of English these people have. I don't think the tune to be the most difficult thing to remember. Having learned English as a teenager, I can say that what seems pretty easy to remember in one's native language is not that easy in a foreign one. But let's say "I Stuck My Head in a Li'l Skunk Hole", "When Sammy Put the Paper on the Wall" if you want somewhat funny songs. I'd suggest that you'd have a look at our US and UK pages on Mama Lisa's World, some songs are for small kids but some are for bigger kids and even adults.

Subject: RE: Fun Folk Songs for teaching English to Asians
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 07:44 AM

old madonald had a farm.

Subject: RE: Fun Folk Songs for teaching English to Asians
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 10:34 AM

Monique, thanks for the link to Mama Lisa's. Quite impressive! My grandson and I will enjoy exploring it.

kat

Subject: RE: Fun Folk Songs for teaching English to Asians
From: nutty
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 01:46 PM

Try this site Joe. It's good to see the EFDSS moving into the digital age.

Fun With Folk

Subject: RE: Fun Folk Songs for teaching English to Asians
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 03:41 PM

There was a thread called Lyr Req: Repetitive/Cumulative Songs starting on 16Feb.08 that might offer some suggestions. Sorry I can't blue click.

Sheila

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(but Joe Offer can blue click)