Songs for ESL classes

Subject: Songs for ESL classes
From: Dunkle
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 10:07 AM

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

Subject: RE: Songs for ESL classes
From: BTMP
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 12:37 PM

I am not an ESL expert, but my wife teaches ESL at a local community college, and I must say, I don't see how playing/performing this music benefits a foreign student to learn English reading and writing and speaking. I plan on having my wife review this subject, however. From what she has told me in the past, songs about sexism would not play well with Middle eastern men, and many foreign students would be uncomfortable with the patriotic songs listed in your post. The message or humor from some of the other songs, like 'Alice's Restaurant' and 'Plz Don't Bury Me' would be lost because of obvious cultural difference. -btmp

Subject: RE: Songs for ESL classes
From: oldhippie
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 06:30 PM

Somos El Barco - Lorre Wyatt

Subject: RE: Songs for ESL classes
From: melodeonboy
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 06:56 PM

As an ex EFL/ESL teacher, I find it strange that someone would think it not beneficial to teach language through song. Singing is the close relative of speaking, as running is the close relative of walking.

There is also the argument that it is more beneficial to learn a language in relation to the culture from which the language comes. For example, learning Arabic without reference to the culture and religions of the Middle East would leave something wanting.

I do, however, think that some of the songs in the list above are rather ambitious unless the students are of a particularly high level. (How many students, unless they're at post-graduate level, are really going to get much sense out of Tom Lehrer's lyrics, great though they are?)

Amongst others, here are three songs that I've used successfully in the EFL/ESL classroom:

1. "I know an old lady who swallowed a fly" by Burl Ives". Good for repetition and memorising. and good fun!

2. "My Bonny lies over the ocean". Great for chorus singing. Simple repetetive choruses which should build confidence in hesitant speakers.

3. "Anything you can do...". Good for practising comparatives.

Subject: RE: Songs for ESL classes
From: melodeonboy
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 07:20 PM

Sorry, that should be "repetitive". Too much beer!

Subject: RE: Songs for ESL classes
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 10:42 PM

The universal European to English "classic"( with gestures ) is My Hat it has Three Corners

Sincerely,
Gargoyle