Artistic ESL Instruction

Artistic ESL: The Benefits of Incorporating Music with ESL Instruction

As with all teaching methodologies, ESL instruction works best when learning is connected with making the material meaningful in a memorable way. While there is a place for textbooks and direct instruction, language learning in particular is very sensory based. At the same time, the basic elements emphasized in much of the teaching of ESL are the essential communicative functions of listening, speaking, reading and writing. How can teachers accomplish the daunting task of covering all of these fundamentals while making their lessons meaningful? At least part of the answer lies in the incorporation of music into ESL instruction.

By bringing music into their lessons, teachers can make their instruction more tangible and, in turn, easier for their students to understand. This comprehension creates a solid foundation for learning, which teachers can then use to help their students work toward the goal of remembering the material. The point at which new knowledge becomes memorable is the time when it becomes accessible for further, more in-depth manipulation, a process known as critical thinking. So, in addition to adding an element of fun, using music in ESL instruction can guide students to learn through doing, one of the most effective ways of promoting learning and the foundation for eventual higher level analysis skills.

Take vocabulary instruction, for example. The process of natural language acquisition in young children suggests that the imitation of sounds comes first in the process of language development. Likewise, putting the target vocabulary into song form enables students to imitate the sounds while also linking those sounds to a tune, further embedding the new words in their memory. Next, natural language acquisition relies on the power of repetition of sounds. Similarly, teaching vocabulary words through song format combines the power of the repetition of the words with the added benefit of a repetitive tune, particularly if the song has a chorus. This provides the opportunity for learning the target vocabulary in a more natural manner, just as with language acquisition.

Building on the knowledge of natural language is where reading and writing come in, and these are areas where music is also beneficial. In addition to singing the songs, teachers can share the written lyrics with their students, depending on their age and skill level. If the students are at a stage where it is developmentally appropriate to emphasize the written word, teachers can focus on the structure and pattern of the song in written form. This framework can then be used to teach all manner of textual components, from paragraphs to poetry. For more advanced learners, song lyrics can be the basis for textual analysis, a well-formed part of critical thinking skills and the analytic basis for composition of everything from stories to essays.

Teaching ESL through music, therefore, builds upon the students’ basic comprehension and memory to make lessons truly memorable—leading to more meaningful learning outcomes.

Team Biography:
Katherine Giszack was born into a family of educators and is the oldest of three siblings. She is married with three sons of her own and has always had a passion for teaching and learning. After teaching English and ESL for 12 years, she moved into an administrative role, but she still loves interacting with students of all ages. A native of Virginia, she currently lives in the mountains of Southwest Virginia and is delighted to be part of the WAM team.