Using Song Lyrics to Improve Students Understanding

Serba Serbi Pendidikan - in these day we will study about Using Song Lyrics to Improve Students Understanding

a. Definition of song

Song is short piece of music with words that you sing. Song in general is music for singing a song at a very low price song and dance unnecessary fuss. Instrumental work in vocal style: an instrumental work written in style of a composition for the voice, or, in popular music, any musical work

Song could be used to teach grammar because in the lyrics of song there are several kinds of tenses, teacher could choose definite song which appropriate with tenses that would be taught. Media is an agent or companion, Association for Education and Technology (AEGT) define that media is a tool which is used to distribute information. Moreover, National Education Association ( NEA ) define that media is a something which can be manipulated, seen, heard, and read by instrument used in teaching learning process. In other hand, media is a tool store and conveys information. Media inmteaching learning process are often used by teachers to improve students’ understanding on the material and to make teaching and learning process more enjoyable.

b. The Characteristics and Components of Song

According to Jan Peterson that a good song contains four important characteristics they are; first, a good song needs a universal message and a story worth telling. It means that songs ideas whirl around us every day, but you need to catch that one special massage.

Second, a good song needs memorable hook. Usually the hook line appears in the chorus, or if there is no chorus it is in the first or last line of each verse. Third, a good song is easily understood. It means that you use song as media for teaching you need to tell the ''who, where and why' of the story. Four, good song uses imagery. If you listen to a song, listen for the images.

The component of songs they are;4 song structure (chorus, verse, bridge) lyric (lyric topic, lyric title, lyric themselves) Rhyme (rhyme scheme, rhyme types, rhyme your lyric) composing vs. song writing (song's music convention, music after lyric, music before lyric, arrangement, chord progressions) melody vs. chord progression (chord music in theory, song writer habit).

c. Reasons why we should use song to teach

Language teachers can and should use songs as part of their classroom teaching repertoire. Songs contain authentic language, are easily obtainable, provide vocabulary, grammar and cultural aspects and are fun for the students. They can provide valuable speaking, listening and language practice in and out of the classroom. Some key reasons songs can work exceedingly well in the foreign language classroom include the following:

1) Songs almost always contain authentic, natural language.

This often contrasts the contrived, stilted language found in many student texts. Of course songs can also go to the other extreme by using overly crude, foul or otherwise objectionable language. With careful screening, an extensive library of usable songs for language learning can be compiled.

2) A variety of new vocabulary can be introduced to students through songs.

Looking to boost student vocabulary with useful phrases, vocabulary and expressions? Songs are almost always directed to the native-speaking population so they usually contain contemporary vocabulary, idioms and expressions.

3) Songs are usually very easily obtainable.

Cibemba and Silozi non-withstanding, songs are usually not that difficult to obtain. Local sources may be available including the nstudents themselves. There's always the internet which can connect you with song downloads in all but the most obscure languages.

4) Songs can be selected to suit the needs and interests of the students.

In English especially, so many songs are available that selection of songs with suitable themes, levels and vocabulary is not at all difficult. Allowances can also be made for complexity or simplicity of language, depending on the students, by selecting and using suitable songs.

5) Grammar and cultural aspects can be introduced through songs.

Most if not all songs have a recurring theme or story. So excerpting cultural elements is usually a possible, but often overlooked aspect of using songs. I still use "Hit the Road Jack" sung by the late Ray Charles to illustrate spoken contractions. He uses spoken contractions is virtually every line of the song.

6) Time length is easily controlled.

Whether you have an hour, 30 minutes, or only 15 minutes or so, a song can be used in the course of a planned lesson. Use of songs is very flexible.

7) Students can experience a wide range of accents.

A good thing about songs is that you can expose the students to many different kinds of English. British English, American English, Caribbean English are all widely available through songs. Accents too are well represented by songs from different regions and in a variety of types and formats. Gospel, soul, R & B, Pop, Rock, Reggae, Jazz and other styles change not only accents, but vocabulary and usage too.

8) Song lyrics can be used in relating to situations of the world around us.

Songs have been used as vehicles of protest for civil rights, workers' rights, even prisoners' rights along with an untold number of other causes. They've expounded on pollution, crime, war and almost every social theme or cause. We won't even mention how many songs are about, related to or explore the theme of sex.

9) Students think songs are natural and fun.

Well actually they are, aren't they? Fun, even silly songs abound in English. Some singers actually made a career out of them. (Ray Stevens, anyone?) They make offbeat, fun changes of pace with classroom use.

These are only some of the many reasons songs are useful in the language learning classroom. They contain authentic language, are easily obtainable, provide vocabulary, grammar and cultural aspects and are fun for the students. They provide enjoyable speaking, listening, vocabulary and language practice both in and out of the classroom. So EFL, English as a foreign language, ESL, English as a Second language and foreign language teachers should all consider using songs as a regular part of their classroom activities.

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