Webinar #3 – Action Songs in an ESL classroom

 

Webinar 3 – Action Songs in an ESL classroom

This webinar was hosted by the elementary teacher - Marta Szymanska. She provided useful insight about incorporating songs in our ESL lessons. She mentioned different ways that action songs can be used in our lessons, for instance:

Songs for routines (signal to change the activity)

1. Brain break/ movement

Allows time for pupils to have a break and release their energy.

2. Story/theme of the lesson

With the use of movement and gestures, it can help build students listening skills and comprehension.

3. Warm up

Action songs can be used to introduce a new topic.

4. Speech therapy exercises

Songs can be an effective tool to practice new sounds and reinforce words. 

5. Finger dexterity exercises

Develop their motor skills.

6. Musical development

Develop their musical abilities such as rhythm.

I enjoyed that she focused on movement, as it takes the pressure off teachers. As many new and unexperienced teachers might be discouraged to sing with children as they do not possess a good singing voice (as myself). But, movement also can support students' comprehension of the song. 

I would add that teacher should be well prepared, and observant of students. A teacher should know the language level of students and choose a song according to their abilities. Educators should take pre-caution of pre-teaching vocabulary and practice them before singing a song. And practice and sing the song until you are sick of it. Repetition is key to get learners to remember songs and learn language chucks. The point of singing is, of course, to learn a language but it is also a way to build (linguistic) confidence in our learners. 

Let me know some of your singing tips from your lessons or write down your favourite song to sing!

Sara