Purpose of Using Songs in School

Songs has become part of our life. We listen to at least a song almost every day either when travelling, studying or going to work. Songs work perfectly with young learners in teaching them language. Good song will bounce in the children’s head after the lesson is over. These learners quickly pick up the rhythm, melody as well the words, thus make them eagerly humming the song. Language teachers can have songs as the introduction to the topics, grammatical structures, and vocabulary. How do songs actually benefit the students?

First and foremost, songs are good for cognitive training. Once we are introduced with an appealing melody and rhythms of a song, it will stuck in our head. We later on keep singing all along because we get the right words and melody. With the right kind of song, it is easy to stimulate the memory in the classroom. Repetition in songs improve our listening skills because we repeatedly practicing the same words. Learners get to know what to say and to produce language rapidly without pausing.

Secondly, songs promote socio- emotional growth. We often sing together because people tend to sing along when one is singing a song. Learners learn to express their feelings and emotions through songs. They choose the right kind of songs suitable with their current mood and let the lyrics of the songs speak on behalf of them. Even though it is not always easy to indulge ourselves in singing, sing a song in and with a class is a social act which allows learners to participate in a group and express their deepest feelings no matter what.

Songs provide a great opportunity for young learner to move around. Clapping, dancing and playing instruments stimulate memory, which makes it possible for learners to hear chunks of language as they sing and use them in different situations later. Older learners can also benefit from clapping, dancing, rocking, tapping, and snapping their fingers to music and songs.

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