Good Songs For English Learners

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences I was an English teacher in Japan for over three and a half years. In that time, I gained a lot of experience teaching young learners. My students were aged from two to fourteen. As I taught these students, I learned a lot about how songs can be used effectively in the classroom. Songs can be used to teach sentence structure, routines, vocabulary, and help aid the understanding of instructions in the classroom. Learning path Young children Lesson flow Transitions School kids Teenagers Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Megan B. Before students can even grasp the language, they can understand rhythm and music. When teaching the youngest students...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I have a great fascination and interest to teach English as well as proper study techniques to students of all ages. This next year, I plan on moving to China to teach English to young children. When contemplating these future endeavors, I plan on implementing songs as a method to help young children learn English. Singing songs is a fun, interactive method that engages the attention of children. When teaching children, I argue that singing songs is a great method to cultivate and maintain a strong foundation in their English language level. Children and Learning Lesson Goals How to Choose Songs for The Lesson Other Pros Regular Repetition Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Music-based learning is an effective technique to develop English proficiency within an early youth classroom. Classroom-based singing can create a fun learning environment and lead to the development of musical skills, social interaction, and English vocabulary. Simple Rhymes Examples of Suitable Rhyme Songs Involving the Class Listen to the blog post Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: This post was written by our ITTT graduate Patrick H. The most effective method for younger learners is the use of various simple rhymes. Rhymes are simple in nature and may easily be adapted to the current material that is being taught. The teacher and students will benefit most from a circular seating arrangement as it allows both...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Even for people who are unable to carry a tune, singing is something that most would probably enjoy. There is a bit of embarrassment to overcome for many people, especially youths, but with a classroom full of people all singing together, the embarrassment factor is lowered. With that in mind, I would say that singing song in the language that a student is learning help keep vocabulary and grammar in their mind. In a lesser sense, poetry fulfills a similar goal, but I would assume that more people would find fun in singing, and therefore be more open to subject retention, than poetry simply because of the musical aspect. It creates an upbeat and happy mood (depending on the song), and this activity could even be used for a class performance. The Accent...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Classroom management begins well before the lesson commences and is vital so that the lesson can flow continuously without gaps, therefore, maintaining students interest. 1. Seating Arrangement 3. Building Rapport 4. Setting Rules 6. Encouraging the Students Reguarly 7. Structuring the Lesson in an Interesting Way 8. Dealing with Problematic Behavior Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our ITTT graduate David D. Strategic placing of student seating arrangements can have a positive effect on the class in a number of ways, pairing a quieter student with a more vocal can have involved the quieter student and gain confidence from the experience. Placing the students'...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Although all parts of a lesson are equally important, the "engage phase" may be the most important. The "engage phase" is the departing point of the lesson, and where you will focus the attention of the students away from the other occurrences of the day, and make them focus on learning the English language. Choosing the activity in which to grab the students' attention can be a challenge, as it must grab the students' attention within one or two minutes. The best types of activities are those in which students are fully engaged in a cognitive, critical thinking process. Through various studies, music has shown to be an activity which utilizes many parts of the brain at once and therefore is a great activity to "jump-start" the brain, and get students to...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The learning process of a foreign language inside a classroom has been demonstrated as one of the best ways in which different competencies can be practiced at the same time. Abilities such as grammar, reading, listening, and conversation skills are put to the test, all of them supervised by a teacher whom a conversation can be established. This same teacher is the one in charge of creating and maintaining an environment based on trust and positivism, so the student may appropriately develop his aptitudes. Grouping Teaching Qualities Non-Classroom Issues Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ilse G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Stories are sometimes excellent resources in the ESL classroom. They can get the students talking and thinking in English about favorite fairytales or other stories they know or create themselves. With this, they can be creative while developing their own stories in class. This can lead to excitement and motivation. There is an endless supply of stories suitable for all ages and levels that could be used to develop English Language skills. And, hopefully, no shortage of imagination in the students to create unique stories. Resources Useful Activities Other Materials Teachers' Creativity Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Leigh K. Please note that this blog...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas It is a very well known fact that English is a very melodic language, it sounds very soft and children love singing in English. When you keep a certain rhythm, rhyme, and pace, it is very likely to learn faster and better almost any topic. Listen to this blog post: Young Learners The objective would be to sing and to touch the body parts at the same time. Both engage and practice stages are important during the lesson as they will have to be well balanced and guided. More Ideas Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Valeria T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. For a group of very young...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Although all parts of a lesson are important, the engage phase (or warm up) may be the most important. The engage phase is the departing point of the lesson, where you need to draw the attention of the students away from other occurrences of the day and make them focus on learning the English language. Choosing an activity to grab the students' attention can be a challenge, as it needs to work within just a few minutes. Through various studies, music has shown to be an activity which utilizes many parts of the brain at once, and therefore is a great activity to "jump start" the brain, and get students to focus more quickly. Why Music Activities are Great for Language Learners Music to Make Things More Challenging Music Activities Using...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Enjoying music is an essential part of the human experience, so it follows that incorporating the use of songs in the classroom can be an enriching part of an English learner's journey. Songs and music can be used in a variety of EFL classrooms, across all cultures, levels of learning, and ages. The benefits of incorporating music in English language study vary from simple vocabulary learning to discover themes about cultures different than the student's own. Students' Age Atmosphere Conceptual Learning Vocabulary Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Elizabeth H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT....  [Read more]

  Understanding the Importance of Teaching English to Young Learners The Benefits of Teaching English to Young Learners Abroad Strategies for Engaging Young Learners in English Language Learning Incorporating Technology in Teaching English to Young Learners Creating a Supportive Learning Environment for Young Learners Adapting Lesson Plans for Different Learning Styles The Role of Cultural Sensitivity in Teaching English to Young Learners Professional Development Opportunities for Teaching English to Young Learners Overcoming Challenges in Teaching English to Young Learners Abroad Impact of Teaching English to Young Learners on Their Future Teaching English to young learners is crucial as it lays the foundation for their language acquisition and cognitive development. Early exposure...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Phonology is the system of sounds that exist within a particular language, while phonetics is the study of how speech sounds are produced. One difficulty for all learners of a second language is learning how to produce new sounds by moving the mouth, lips, and tongue in new ways. Several other languages also share the Roman alphabet with English but do not pronounce letters and combinations of letters the same way. These learners need to learn the English phonology so that when they read English, they will know how to pronounce the words they read correctly, and so that they speak English with a more native-sounding accent. English in Vietnam Language Structure Differences Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: ...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences People from different countries inevitably face problems when they are trying to learn English. Russia is no exception. Let's have a quick look at some typical problems that my fellow countrymen face. Pronunciation Grammar Meaning Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sergei S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. As you may know, Russian is written using the Cyrillic alphabet, and some may think that it can cause problems. In reality, the Russians are fine with understanding the Latin alphabet and can easily pronounce each letter. However, the Devil is in the details. When it comes to speaking it...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences I have moved to the Czech Republic with my girlfriend who is Czech after we met in New Zealand, where I am from. Teaching English here was a business idea that she came up with because she taught English here before for 8 years. In Czech people are more interested in taking English lessons from a native speaker and they also like New Zealand over here. So from this perspective, it makes a lot of sense for me to do this course. Since I am going to be teaching in Czech to begin with, I have already started to see some issues with the language learning that I will be faced with. Grammar Receptive Skills Productive Skills Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences India is a developing country in South Asia with at least 22 major languages and more than 1500 minor languages (Reference – Wikipedia, languages of India). The figures could be much higher if we include the dialects across various areas within each region. This diversity in languages is very wide in rural and urban parts of India. Having this established, English is mainly considered as an official language of the country, especially for most schools, colleges, jobs and major political and government dealings. The Urban Indians are expected to interact in English throughout their lives at schools, colleges, businesses so they do have an environment where they can communicate in English. Level of Education English Speaking Environment...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Indonesia is a developing country where the majority of its population uses their respective regional language. Indonesians only speak one language to unite the nation, that is Bahasa. In this country, learning English isn't an obligation, nor a requirement. In some less developed remote areas, English isn't needed at all. However, the demands from the education system and the government are making it more common for learners to understand and communicate in English. Also, the fact that English is a global language and a status symbol for many Indonesians, makes learning English increasingly more attractive. Investment English at University A Lack of Time and Confidence Social Attitude English Vocabulary Grammar Pronunciation Do you want to teach...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Understanding the main purpose of any language usage as a means of exchanging, obtaining information, rendering our emotions, feelings, desires, states, or transmitting ideas inevitably involves this process, other people. In other words, we use language to communicate with other language speakers. So why not use this peculiarity in the process of language studying? Thereby using peer learning techniques in an ESA classroom becomes an essential and inherent part of it. Where implementing Peer-to-Peer learning? Benefits Ideas for outside the classroom activities Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mariia M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily...  [Read more]

Incorporating music and songs in TEFL teaching can be a highly effective and engaging way to help students learn English. Music is a universal language that transcends borders and cultures, making it a powerful tool for language learning. By using music and songs in your TEFL classes, you can create a dynamic and interactive learning environment that motivates students to engage with the language in a fun and meaningful way. Whether you use popular English songs, traditional nursery rhymes, or specially designed language learning songs, incorporating music into your lessons can enhance vocabulary retention, improve pronunciation, and boost overall language proficiency. There are numerous benefits to using music and songs in TEFL classes. Firstly, music can help create a positive and...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teaching a group of new students can, and frequently is an intimidating challenge. Working with students who are just meeting you, and have unknown skill levels often creates a chaotic environment. By incorporating pieces of music that are familiar to the teacher and students we can increase rapport, improve confidence, train listening skills, and engage students quickly and more effectively. There are multiple ways to use music in the classroom and to teach English as a foreign language, and each should be tailored to the needs of the students. Easy and Familiar Authentic Engaging Do you want to teach English all over the world? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Everitt G. Please note...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Learning the English language during adult years is a specific process when a student has reached a certain age, got some kind of profession (occupation), and decided for some specific reasons to learn (improve) English language. Specific purposes Misconception Lack of Confidence Belief in Cultural Difference Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dinara Y. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. For example, the first category of students I came across decided to learn the English language and attend lessons because they needed to pass a governmental exam (YDS English), which could provide public...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Morocco's official languages are classical Arabic, and Berber ( indigenous language in North Africa) Classical Arabic, and second unofficial language in Morocco is the French language taught in General educational curriculum from primary school, and Spanish taught in the north as a second unofficial language, Thus learning a third or even fourth language for a Moroccan learner is not a big challenge, however, there are some difficulties to learn a language efficiently and accurately. Demand Teaching Quality Socio-economical situation Huge classes School types Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate MOHAMMED t. Please note that this blog post might not...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Learning a new language can be a wonderful experience. However, its success depends on several factors. Personal propensity above all. By this, I mean interest and passion for whatever language it is we have set our minds to learn. More often than not this propensity involves a sort of an innate talent which makes it easier for some students to master specific language skills. The right hint of motivation goes hand in hand with the environment. At a very early stage, this environment is represented by our teachers, masters, and tutors. Their ability to pass on the interest of another language will be crucial. How are we ever going to enjoy foreign language classes if they are carried out in a monotonous and dull manner? They have to be diverse and...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Alumni Experiences In my past, I have lived in many different countries and language environments. I have come to learn that the best way to gain an understanding of a new language is to be absorbed in it. In countries where English is widely spoken as a foreign language (Scandinavian countries for example), learning the language of the country can be much more difficult. It is uncomfortable not being able to express oneself, so English offers a cane of comfort, but also a disservice. Unless one goes through this part of the learning process where speaking is hard for you and maybe even for your listener, fluency can never be achieved. Personal Experience Structure of the Italian Language Grammar Latin Influence Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences This essay answers the question for number 10 "what are the main problems for learners in the country of China?" I am a professor at Jiangnan University in Wuxi, China and share my observations. Our students are in the North American College (NAC), with partners in Canada at Lambton College and Northwood University, USA. Three areas are most interesting to their learning challenges: college preparation, listening and writing. Exam System Lexical Units Digital Autism Writing Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Annette P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Students enter NAC with a low score on...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences As a developing country, Vietnam currently has an urgent need for the international language English to attract foreign investment and to promote the economy, especially after becoming a member of the World Trade Organisation (Nguyen T.T, 2007). With this growth of international trade and an increasing number of foreign tourists, the ability to communicate in English has become a passport to a better job for many Vietnamese. The Popularity of English in Vietnam Lack of English-speaking Professionals Pronunciation Outdated Teaching Methods Classroom Environment Vietnamese vs. English Language Structure Affordability Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Imagine going back in time to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century in Great Britain. If the question of whether it is proper to teach slang and idioms to students were posed to a teacher in that period, I do not doubt in my mind that any proper English teacher would frown upon the notion of it. If you were to ask an English teacher today, you would receive a much different answer. The gradual globalization of the English language has been driven by various factors, one of which is business. Modern Situation Reasons Grammar Rules Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Allison S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Learning is a process of acquiring knowledge and skills. A learner or student is an individual who is being taught a given set of skills to achieve a goal in mind. Learning a second language like English is both a challenging and exciting experience. In this writing, we are going to focus on the learners between the ages of 12 – 18 years and the problems they encounter in the learning of the English language in Rwanda. Rwanda is a former Francophone nation, which of recent (8 – 10 years back) has made a shift to Anglo-phone, requiring all teaching from primary four to the university to be done in the English language. It is therefore against this background that we are going to look at the numerous challenges ranging from; background,...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Over the decades, the English language has reached the status of a global language and is commonly known as the lingua franca around the world. It has become one of the most widely spoken language as a mother tongue, international communication as well as language taught in millions of schools around the globe. The use of the English language is widespread in many sectors in the global market as many organizations begin to adopt the language as an official language. In the economic world, the language plays a significant role in international trade/business between two of the most powerful global economic powerhouse mainly the United States of America and China. English as a necessity Demand in extracurricular activities Common challenges...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Nowadays there is a wide variety of how to teach English. Every teacher uses his or her unique methodologies and techniques to make lessons more informative and entertaining. One of the approaches could be using educational games in the classroom. Children's Learning Ability Educational Games Benefits of Educational Games Reasons to Use Games in the Classroom Attention Span Furthermore, playing games motivate kids to study better and naturally use English. Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Games in the classroom are a great tool for teachers as they can be adapted to different ages and levels. Within this essay, I would like to clarify why using games in the classroom for young learners is extremely useful and...  [Read more]