Web-based Resources for English Language Teaching & Learning
MUSIC and SONGS

Leslie Opp-Beckman, University of Oregon
Email: leslieob@uoregon.edu



Articles

ERIC Digest, Using Music in the Adult ESL Classroom
http://www.cal.org/ncle/digests/music.htm
Music can be used in the adult English as a second language (ESL) classroom to create a learning environment; to build listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills; to increase vocabulary; and to expand cultural knowledge. This digest looks briefly at research and offers strategies for using music in the adult ESL classroom.

Reasons for Using Songs in the ESL/EFL Classroom http://www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/Articles/Schoepp-Songs.html
"Songs have become an integral part of our language experience, and if used in coordination with a language lesson they can be of great value. Fortunately, with the expanding prevalence of the Internet and specifically the World Wide Web into both the classrooms and lives of students, access to music and lyrics has been made easier. This paper will focus on the reasons for using songs by demonstrating their effectiveness as a learning tool."

Musical Activities for Young Learners of EFL
http://www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/Lessons/Cakir-MusicalActivities.html
"It has been said that children have a natural musical taste and that play is the only activity that they take seriously. If this is so, teachers should not let song practice or any activity seem like work. They should keep it spontaneous. This has been shown to apply even to language teachers."

Songs, Verse and Games for Teaching Grammar
http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Saricoban-Songs.html
"Grammar teaching has often been regarded as a structure based, formal activity. In order to make a grammar lesson effective, beneficial, and interesting a teacher should use some well-developed and fascinating techniques in the classroom. In this paper, the examples of such integrated sources and techniques -- the use of songs, verse, games, and problem solving activities -- will be clarified and several examples will be provided."



Lesson Plans, Teaching Tips and Interactive Web Sites

Connect with Music, Lessons Any Teacher Can Teach!
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson303.shtml
Any teacher can integrate music into his or her curriculum. No special training or skills are necessary! This week, Education World offers five lesson plans that will show you how you can integrate music and make your core curriculum sing!

ESL through Music
http://www.forefrontpublishers.com/eslmusic/
Teachers are provided with the tools which they need in order to foster the acquisition of English through music.

English Listening Room
http://www.manythings.org/el/
Listen to folksongs and fill in the blanks.

Musical English Lessons International
http://www.musicalenglishlessons.com/index-ex.htm
English lessons cross-referenced with songs and skills.

Songs for Teaching, Using Music to Promote Learning
http://www.songsforteaching.com/
Creative teachers can use music to teach content across the curriculum to students of all ages.  We bring you some of our favorite ideas for using the magic of music in your lesson plans.



Directories

E.L. Easton
http://eleaston.com/music.html

ESL Through Music
http://www.caslt.org/research/music.htm

Lyrics.com
http://www.lyrics.com.

TESL Songs from Internet TESL Journal (I-TESL-J)
http://www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/links/TESL/Songs/