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Pop & Rock Music to Teach Grammar in ESL Lessons

Using Popular Songs for English as a Second Language Classes

© Lucille Lever

Nov 11, 2009
Pop and Rock Music for ESL Development, xenia
Pop and Rock are excellent genres of music to use in the ESL classroom. These two varieties of music have a broad spectrum and are known by most international students.

Many songs are suitable to use as material for English language teaching. Any choice can be made by teachers, but Pop and Rock are more likely to appeal to a wider audience of students.

Pop and Rock Songs for Grammar Practice

When choosing songs, try to find those which:

  • have lyrics that focus on a particular grammar structure
  • have few slang words
  • have good grammar and interesting vocabulary
  • are appropriate for the age, sex and cultural groups in the class
  • are themes that most people can relate to such as love, unrequited love, interesting situations, human thoughts and feelings.

Ensure Copyright of Lyrics and Music is not Infringed

This article lists ideas and song suggestions that can be used for ESL learning. It is essential however, that teachers ensure that they are complying with copyright laws. Teachers should approach school administrators to find out if songs can be played to a classroom full of students. Always use original CDs and not downloaded materials.

Lyrics of Pop and Rock Songs on the Internet

It is very easy to access the lyrics of pop songs to work with in the class. Again, ensure that the schools are aware of the materials being used, and that no copyright is being infringed. There are many websites in which one can find the words of suggested songs. There is a list at the end of this article which will prove to be of use, but there are many more to access merely by typing the name of the lyric in a search engine.

Activity Ideas for Songs in ESL Lessons

Grammar Focus: Students read the lyrics. They highlight the verbs in one color and the nouns in another. Discuss the use of nouns and verbs in the lyrics.

Listening and Scanning Focus: Each student receives a copy of the lyric which has been cut into strips; one line printed on each strip. Students listen to the song and try to put the song together by placing the strips in the correct order. This encourages students to listen well, and scan for words so that they can complete the song.

Vocabulary Expansion: Students choose ten words from the song. They can write ten new sentences with their chosen words. Advanced students can use their chosen words to write a new poem or song with the words.

Pop Songs for Grammar Practice

Songs to Teach the Present Simple:

  • "Good Day Sunshine" – The Beatles
  • "I Just Don't Understand" – The Beatles
  • "As Tears Go By" The Rolling Stones
  • What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong Songwriters: Thiele, Robert;Weiss, George David
  • "Behind Blue Eyes" – (The Who) Pete Townshend
  • "Across the Universe" – The Beatles
  • "Friends" – Elton John Songwriters: John, Elton; Taupin, Bernie

Songs that Teach the Question Form:

  • "Why" – The Beatles
  • "What Goes On" - The Beatles
  • "Tell Me Why" – The Beatles
  • "Why Worry Now" – Dire Straits
  • "Baby’s in Black" – The Beatles

Songs that Teach the Present Progressive/Continuous:

  • "What You’re Doing" – The Beatles
  • "I'm Only Sleeping" - - The Beatles
  • "I'm Looking Through You" - The Beatles

Songs that Teach the Conditional:

  • "If I Fell in Love with You" – The Beatles
  • "If I Needed Someone" – The Beatles
  • "I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party" – The Beatles

Songs that Teach the Past Tense

  • "Candle in the Wind" – (Elton John) Songwriters: John, Elton; Taupin, Bernie
  • "Our Last Summer" – Abba. Songwriters: Ulvaeus, Bjorn; Andersson, Benny
  • "No reply" – The Beatles
  • "Rene And Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After The War" – Paul Simon
  • "Was a Sunny Day" – Paul Simon

Websites with Lyrics for Pop and Rock Songs

  • Beatles Lyrics Archive.com
  • Love Lyrics.com
  • Lyrics.com
  • Lyrics Download.com
  • Metro Lyrics.com
  • Lyrics Mania.com
  • Astraweb.com

Lyrics to pop and rock songs are a great resource for language learning and practice. Students always enjoy music, and activities with songs appeal to them, enhancing new vocabulary and offering an alternative method of using newly acquired English grammar structures.

Other Creative Ideas for ESL Learning:

Jokes and Funny Stories in the ESL Classroom: Ideas for creativity in ESL Lessons

Using Props in the ESL Classroom: Ideas for drama and activities in ESL Learning


The copyright of the article Pop & Rock Music to Teach Grammar in ESL Lessons in English as a Second Language is owned by Lucille Lever. Permission to republish Pop & Rock Music to Teach Grammar in ESL Lessons in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Pop and Rock Music for ESL Development, xenia
Rock or Pop Songs for ESL Learning, xenia
Songs Help ESL Students Learn New Vocabulary, xenia
    


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