three rancangan khas smksi: Lesson 1

Using Songs Effectively to Teach English to Young Learners

An advantage of using songs in the young learner classroom is their flexibility. Songs can help young learners improve their listening skills and pronunciation and helping them to improve their speaking skills (Murphey, 1992). Songs can be useful tools in the learning of vocabulary, sentence structures and sentence patterns not to mention their reflectivity of mother tongue culture (Murphey, 1992).

Purcell (1992) states that children can become bored by repeatedly listening to a narration or dialog as they attempt to understand the meaning of new words or phrases in context unlike the song which has the rhythm and melody. Murphey believes that music has the power to engrave itself into our brains, stating that songs works on our short and long term memory and are therefore adequate tools for using in the language classroom (1992,p.3).

Moriya (1988) emphasizes the value of using songs for pronunciation practice with Asian learners of English due to the phonemic differences between Asian languages and English. Songs can provide the opportunity for vocabulary practice. Murphey (1992) states that the pauses after each phrase are longer in comparison to the phrase itself and this allows the learner to process the language and shadow in real time. Songs reflect culture. Shen states, “Language and music are interwoven in songs to communicate cultural in a very unique way” (2009, p. 88). Most important songs can bring variety to every day class routine, help to create a relaxed and informal atmosphere that makes the classroom a non-threatening environment. Learners regard songs as entertainment rather than study and this makes learning English through songs fun and enjoyable.

3RK1 are seen here listening and singing one of the evergreen song What a Wonderful World before proceeding to next task.