How to use music in class?

Music is a good way to link English and a happy time. I consider that we can use songs in order that students can develop their skills (listening, writing, reading and also speaking, if the like singing). I'm sure that everybody enjoy singing songs.

P1. Music

"Music stabilizes mental, physical and emotional rhythms to attain a state of deep concentration and focus in which large amounts of content information can be processed and learned." Chris Brewer, Music and Learning.

Benefits of using Music

There are a los of benefits of using music in class, for example:

• improves memory
• motivates learning
• improves concentration
• brings a sense of community to a group
• relaxes people who are overwhelmed or stressed
• makes learning fun
• helps people absorb material

Techniques for Using Music with L2 Learners

There are a variety of different ways to use music in the classroom. Some teachers prefer to use background music and others use music lyrics as the basis of a lesson. Music can be used to:

• introduce a new theme or topic (Christmas/colours/feelings)
• break the ice in a class where students don't know each other or are having difficulty communicating
• change the mood (liven things up or calm things down)
• teach and build vocabulary and idioms
• review material (background music improves memory)
• teach pronunciation and intonation
• teach songs and rhymes about difficult grammar and spelling rules that need to be memorized ("i before e", irregular verbs, phrasal verbs)
• teach reading comprehension
• inspire a class discussion
• teach listening for details and gist

Tips for Using Music Effectively

• When teaching students a song, it is a good idea to introduce an instrumental version first (If an instrumental version is not available, play the song softly in the background while they are working on something or hum the melody before introducing the lyrics). If students become familiar with the sound of the music first, they will be more likely to understand the words.
• Make a vocabulary list ahead of time. Go over the words once before you introduce the song.
• Expose students to a certain song many days in a row. Within a few days, students will not be able to get the song out of their head!
• Choose interactive songs whenever possible. Adding actions enhances language acquisition and memory.
• Have soft or upbeat music playing before class to encourage a positive atmosphere. Turning the music off is a great way to signal to a large class that it is time to begin.

An example to use music in class

I consider that a good option is "Skater Boy" - Avril Lavigne, because you can find a nice story that involves simple past and simple present. Although the pace of the song is fast, she sings clearly.

Lesson Plan

Stage	Procedure	Task	Interaction	Aims	Time
1	Ask student about Avril Lavigne	Students answer and give information about Avril Lavigne.	T & St	Learners will talk about information of music and a singer.	2 min.
2	Ask students to listen and complete the paper with the words (2 times).	Students listen and complete the song.	Individual	Learners will listen and complete the song.	8 min.
3	Ask students to compare answers with the partner.	Students check their answers.	Pairs / T & St	Learners will identify mistakes and correct answers.	2 min.
4	Ask students to circle verbs in simple past.	Students read and circle the verbs in simple past.	Individual	Learners will identify verbs in simple past	2 min
5	Ask students to compare answers with the partner.	Students check their answers.	Pairs / T & St	Learners will identify mistakes and correct answers.	2 min
6	Ask students about what the song is about.	Students talk about the story of the song.	Pairs / T &  St	Learners will be able to talk about a story.	2 min

Lyric 

You can listen the song and complete the lyric.

Video 1. Skater Boy. Avril Lavigne

Skater Boy (Avril Lavigne)

He was a _____, She was a _____,

Can I make it anymore obvious?

He was a punk, She did _____,

What more can I say?

He wanted her, she'd never _____,

secretly she wanted him as well,

but all of her _____, stuck up their nose,

they had a problem with his baggy _____.

He was a skater boy, she said “see you later boy”, 

He wasn't _____ enough for her,

She had a _____ face, but her head was up in a space,

She needed to come back down to _____.

Five years from now, She sits at home,

Feeding the ____ she's all alone,

She turns on T.V., _____ who she sees,

Skater boy rocking up MTV.

She calls up her friends, they already know,

And they've all got _____ to see his show,

she tags along, and stands in the crowd,

Looks up at the _____ that she turned down.

He was a skater boy, She said “See you later boy”,

He wasn't good enough for her,

Now he's a superstar, slamming on his _____,

Does your pretty face see what he's worth? (2 times)

Sorry girl, but you missed out,

Well, tough _____. that boy's mine now,

We are more than just good friends,

This is how the _____ ends.

_____ bad that you couldn't see,

See the man that boy _____ be,

There is more than meets the eye

I see the _____ that is inside

He's just a boy and I'm just a girl,

Can I make it anymore obvious?

We are in love, haven't you heard?

How we rock each others world!

I'm with the skater boy, I say “See you _____ boy”,

I'll be _____ after the show,

I'll be at the studio, singing the _____ we wrote,

About a girl you used to know. (2 Times)

Now, you can check your answers in the complete song:

Skater Boy (Avril Lavigne)

He was a boy, She was a girl,

Can I make it anymore obvious?

He was a punk, She did ballet,

What more can I say?

He wanted her, she'd never tell,

secretly she wanted him as well,

but all of her friends, stuck up their nose,

they had a problem with his baggy clothes.

He was a skater boy, she said “see you later boy”, 

He wasn't good enough for her,

She had a pretty face, but her head was up in a space,

She needed to come back down to earth.

Five years from now, She sits at home,

Feeding the baby she's all alone,

She turns on T.V., guess who she sees,

Skater boy rocking up MTV.

She calls up her friends, they already know,

And they've all got tickets to see his show,

she tags along, and stands in the crowd,

Looks up at the man that she turned down.

He was a skater boy, She said “See you later boy”,

He wasn't good enough for her,

Now he's a superstar, slamming on his guitar,

Does your pretty face see what he's worth? (2 times)

Sorry girl, but you missed out,

Well, tough luck. that boy's mine now,

We are more than just good friends,

This is how the story ends.

Too bad that you couldn't see,

See the man that boy could be,

There is more than meets the eye

I see the soul that is inside

He's just a boy and I'm just a girl,

Can I make it anymore obvious?

We are in love, haven't you heard?

How we rock each others world!

I'm with the skater boy, I say “See you later boy”,

I'll be backstage after the show,

I'll be at the studio, singing the song we wrote,

About a girl you used to know. (2 Times)

As a conclusion, It's a real good option to use songs in class. To be honest, I will use them more often because I think that you can catch the student's attention really fast.