Confidence is needed in order to move from linguistic competence to communicative competence (Rivers 1973). Confidence comes through familiarity and practice, and learning and even performing song lyrics provides both. The melody and structure of songs aid memorization. Jalongo and Bromley show how very young children can acquire linguistic competence by singing along with song lyrics in “Developing Linguistic Competence through Song Picture Books” (1984).
Strangely, most students hesitate, but eventually agree, to read a text passage or recite a poem in class, but in my experience, students are reluctant to sing a song in class, even one that they claim is a favorite. In the past, students remained quiet in class while the teacher lectured. When asked to recite a memorized poem or text passage, they rattle through it as quickly as possible to get it over with. Playing songs in class and then asking them to comment can help overcome students’ shyness and reluctance to expose themselves to criticism. Very few young adult students are eager to sing or recite in public, but they are willing to talk in English about familiar songs