ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING THROUGH MUSIC AND SONG LYRICS

Dwi Setiyawan  
(1507042027)

The number of English language speakers and the demand for English Language Learning (ELL) is growing at an exponential rate. Ongoing learning that is student centered and engaging promotes success and gives students a competitive edge as they develop and retain ELL skills and content. Music lyrics and songs not only provide tools to strengthen and reinforce vocabulary, comprehension, listening, speaking and writing, but increase learning and grammatical variations with auditory skills and rhythmic patterns that stimulate brain activity and encourage imagination.

Learning with music and song is supported by integrating complex interactive roles creating a positive environment with high levels of student achievement. Action research supports a connection between language and song, as well as actively engaging learners in stimulating activities and discovery. This publication outlines strategies for using songs, song parody and lyrics to introduce and strengthen ELL in the context of musical patterns, melodies, rhymes and creative vocabulary. Once students engage in ELL through music lyrics, the next step is to customize learning by composing their own lyrics and, for the capable and creative, set their lyrics to original self-composed melodies.

Innovative aspects and insights of this strategy for ELL are discussed in a flexible, collaborative method that supports this pedagogy delivery system. Cultural enrichment as well as an increased command of the English language is an asset accompanying seamless language learning in this transformational model that compliments traditional English acquisition methods. Information communications technology (ICT) can be incorporated to enhance and strengthen learning while sparking inspiration and creativity. Highlighting this publication are original song lyrics and melodies that will be demonstrated featuring singer, musician and song writer, Jeff West.

Using songs and humor in the classroom has both linguistic and cognitive value for strengthening English language acquisition. It helps to develop cross-cultural and interactive communication skills. Song lyrics will stimulate phonetics, vocabulary and improve grammar. Students are motivated and the affective filter is lowered through song-based activities combined with humorous lyrics. Listening skills become more intense and focused. During the digital age, an extraordinary collection of music can be downloaded at little or no cost and numerous websites from around the world are available for educators and students. Creativity and imagination are stimulated in a positive class atmosphere where music is incorporated to enable optimum learning.

 Incorporation of Song in the Classroom

There are multiple reasons for the contemporary language educator to incorporate music in ELL learning whether in a traditional classroom setting or in technology assisted language learning of the digital age. Music strengthens the culture of ELL for 21st century learners and provides a stimulating learning platform that encourages them to excel and provides a change from traditional classroom routines. Numerous learning opportunities and widespread benefits exist for ELL learners, and incorporation of music has the ability to tie key components of language acquisition together resulting in outcomes covering a range of the learning activity spectrum. Music helps students to develop the skills that are needed for ELL in a creative and innovative way, motivating them and positively impacting learning.

 Lowering the Affective Filter

Music and song are “instrumental” in lowering the influence of affective filters that interfere with language learning. Krashen [1] suggests that optimal learning is impacted by emotional non-linguistic variables such as fear, anxiety or boredom. These affective filters serve as a screen to block comprehensible input by preventing information about the second language from reaching the language areas of the mind. The incorporation of music leads to a positive attitude about learning and supports expanded and creative opportunities. By minimizing the affective filter and providing a relaxing atmosphere, stress is eliminated and motivation can increase [2]. Along with this environment, language acquisition is also achieved, often without concrete lesson objectives, but through self-directed learning that leads to exponential growth.

Lyrics to Reinforce Cognitive Learning

Recognizing that language learning requires complex cognitive skills, song lyrics encourage and increase cognitive learning by integrating multiple dimensions that will engage students of varying abilities. Students retain more knowledge when reinforced through song and the integration of lyrics and language. By blending education and entertainment, approaches to learning are evolve and reinforced. Music infused throughout learning creates authentic interactions that are connected, flexible and often collaborative. Additionally, enjoyment and entertainment are realized as students incorporate music and song into language learning.

Sparking an Interest with Popular Bands

People of all ages relate to popular music. This genre of music is of particular interest to young people across the globe who are enthusiastic about top music artists and bands. Domoney and Harris [6] and Little [7] investigated the prevalence of pop music in the lives of EFL students. These studies found that music is frequently the major source of ELL external to the classroom. Many groups have come and gone, but the best pop rock groups have realized continuing success and perform to packed arenas worldwide exciting their fans with hit after hit. Many of these songs are written in English yet often performed to audiences in countries where the native language is one other than English. Other legendary bands hail from a variety of English speaking countries and lend unique regional phrases to their lyrics and musical style.

Song Parody to Add Humor

Integrating humorous music and song in ELL strengthens comprehension, grammar, pronunciation and phonological awareness. It provides the laughter that often leads to lowering the affective filter accompanied by a boost to learning. An excellent example of this is song parody. Song parody that focuses on altering the lyrics of the composer often for humorous purposes is a strategy for ELL. It involves changing or copying existing (often well known) musical ideas or lyrics, or copying the peculiar style of a composer or artist. Weird Al Yankovich is the most contemporary artist still doing this, but the real "king" was Allan Sherman

References:

Krashen, Stephen D. 1983. Principles and practice in second language acquisition. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

The affective filter hypothesis: Definition and criticism. http://www.linguisticsgirl.com/the-affective-filter-hypothesis-definition-and-criticism/ [accessed 02.28.16]

Saricoban, A. & Metin, E. (October 2000). Songs, Verse and Games for Teaching Grammar. The Internet TESL Journal.http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Saricoban-Songs.html, The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. VII, No. 2, February 2001.

Adamowski, E. (1997). The ESL songbook. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.

Baker, T. (2013). Second language acquisition: Language, culture and identity for practical use by English Language Learners worldwide. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (May 14, 2013).

Domoney, L. & Harris, S. (1993). Justified and ancient: Pop music in EFL classrooms. ELT Journal, 47, 234-241.

Little, J. (1983). Pop and rock music in the ESL classroom. TESL Talk, 14, 40-44.

The pioneering parody pop of Allan Sherman. http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/308561-pioneering-parody-pop-of-allan-sherman/ retrived 11/24/2014.

Larson Freeman, D. & Anderson, M. 2011. Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Cohen, M. 2013. Overweight Sensation: The Life and Comedy of Allan Sherman (Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, Culture, and Life) Hardcover– May 14, 2013.

West, J. (2003). "The Money Tree" Original song with alternate lyrics, Jeff West Music BMI, cpy. 2003.