Songs and young learners
The most prominent features of songs
that reinforce language acquisition include
their rhythmic and repetitive nature and the
joy that the association between melody and
content brings to the learning activity. Chil
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dren have a keen awareness of rhythm, and
they have not yet experienced the anxiety that
can accompany learning a second language
(Krashen 1981). Therefore, songs are consid
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ered to be a sine qua non of teaching ESL/EFL
to YLs. I feel that among the many advantages
of using songs in YL ESL/EFL classrooms, the
most striking ones are the following.
Songs are key to primary practice
Most primary school teachers generally
use songs as a teaching technique, and Cam
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eron (2001) claims that the use of songs
and rhymes is also important for YLs in
foreign language classrooms. Likewise, John
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stone (2002) claims that teachers of YLs may
make an important contribution to children’s
early language education by introducing their
classes to recorded songs. Demirel (2004)
makes the strongest claim when he argues
that the most effective way to teach listening
comprehension, pronunciation, and dictation
to YLs is through teaching songs.
Songs create a safe and
natural classroom ethos
According to Cullen (1998, 1999), songs are
significant teaching tools in teaching ESL/EFL
because, as most teachers find out, students
love listening to music in the language class
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room and they often hold strong views about
music. This affinity with music makes songs
vital tools to create a safe and natural class
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room ethos and to overcome feelings of shy
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ness and hesitation on the part of the learners.
Because of their limited attention span,
YLs need a variety of activities. YLs are often
shy, and they should join in classroom activi
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ties when they feel ready rather than when
the teacher demands—an opportunity that
songs create (Djigunovich and Vilke 2000).
The learning characteristics of YLs also reveal
a need to develop a strong emotional attach
-
ment to their teacher. Listen and Do songs
support this attachment since the students
and the teacher are physically involved in
doing the same actions; that is, they share a