It is a universal truth that music is an effective means to learn concepts and lessons. Babies, even while in the womb, are being made to listen to music as it is believed it helps in their normal growth and development, not only physically but also intellectually. Music is used among toddlers when they are taught how to count and to learn the alphabet. It is also used in school as motivation to capture students’ attention and interest to lessons presented to them.
Music is used to remember facts, feelings, and even history. This is how this form of art is used in many lessons. This is also why it can be used in teaching and learning the English language. This can be extremely useful especially to those who are not first language speakers of English. First is remembering the vocabulary and concepts learned in the lyrics. According to Jon Weatherford Stansell, “Music positively affects language accent, memory, and grammar as well as mood, enjoyment and motivation.”
Children usually talk with one another using their native tongue but they enjoy singing the latest pop songs with English lyrics. They are learning the English language without them realizing they do as they repeatedly sing their favorite Taylor Swift song. Choose songs that are appropriate to your students, those kinds that they will really enjoy learning and singing again and again. While the English vocabulary can be learned, pronouncing the words can be frustrating at times. When a student hears how words are pronounced in a song, it will be easier for him to learn it. Repetition and practice helps a student learns enunciation best.
Another important thing to remember is to find out which learning style is best for the students. Here, Gardner’s intellectual domains will be considered. If a student is musical, he probably will learn the lessons taught with music incorporated into it than students who are not musical. However, as mentioned, since music seems to be a universal language, more students, most often than not, perform better academically with the creative style of injecting music into lessons taught to them.
Using music makes learning English easier and more fun. Create a playlist with your students and let your English period a time to learn the language not as a difficult task but a time your students will always look forward to.
References;
Delacruz, E., Arnold, A., Kuo, A., & Parson, M. (2009).Globalism, art, and education. Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.
Eisner, E.W. (2002). The state of the arts and the improvement of education. Art Education Journal, 1(1), 2-6.
Gardner, H. (1993). Creating minds. New York: basic Books.
By: Ms. Mary Ann B. Calma | Teacher III | BEPZ Elementary School | Mariveles, Bataan
