I'm a French/Spanish teacher who has enjoyed bringing (French and Spanish) music into my classroom. I recently happened to be at a TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) where I met someone who has the same interests as me, except that he's working with foreign students in English. He's a wonderful guitarist, and he gets his (mostly Asian) students to learn and actually perform the songs that they learn in class. He showed a video of a wonderfully polished and energetic performance of "California Dreamin'" and "Twist and Shout!" - pure fun, and he was in the middle of it playing the guitar to accompany them (that's work?) I've been in touch with him by email; he asked if I had suggestions to pass along. I do - and I'll post them here - but I'm wondering if any other MudCatters have expertise/advise in this area.

Story songs: Stan Rogers - Barrett's Privateers, Mary Ellen Carter
             Dixie Chicks - Earl
             Dylan - Tangled Up in Blue
             Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant
Anti-war: Bogle - Band Played Waltzing Matilda

Sexism: Peggy Seeger - I'm Going to be an Engineer

Patriotic/America - Phil Ochs - Power and Glory, I Ain't Marching Anymore
         West Side Story: America

9/11: Pat Humphries - If I Give Your Name
      Tom Paxton - The Bravest

Funny: Tom Lehrer - Be Prepared, Irish Ballad
       John Prine - Please Don't Bury Me

Politics: Paxton - We All Sound the Same
          Randy Newman - Political Science

I know there are ten million other songs out there that an ESL student would benefit from learning. This is just a list off the top of my head. Any suggestions you have I'll note for myself, and pass along to my new colleague.

Dunkle Don