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BACKGROUND
- Vocabulary learning is an important tool because no grammatical knowledge could be communicated without vocabulary. Consequently, it is closely related to grammar learning. In addition, students need to use words or vocabulary when they want to communicate.
- The comprehension of vocabulary relies on the strategies that the teacher uses to enable students to understand words and to store them in their memory. One of the strategies in teaching vocabulary is through using songs. The use of songs help teacher to teach vocabulary easily as it is readably absorbed, fun and much less frustrating compared to textbook instruction.
- Teaching vocabulary through songs would allow students to learn words in alternate way and less threatening. Repetition is also needed to learn the new vocabulary.
- Traditionally, students find learning vocabulary difficult and boring in English learning classroom. Vocabulary is usually introduced by the English teacher either through words found in textbook or word list. Students are required to say and spell the words. Thus, vocabulary mastery is less emphasized to students. Therefore, it is suggested that teachers should use songs during vocabulary teaching to make students enjoy and make learning it very effective.
HOW THE USE OF SONGS CAN IMPROVE THE PROCESS OF LEARNING VOCABULARY?
- Songs can help students to comprehend and memorise vocabulary easily. This is because songs contain special rhythm that can stimulate the brain to catch the words easily that is found in the lyrics.
- Songs enable teachers teaching vocabulary to students due to they are more motivated and interested in the process.
- Songs are good at introducing vocabulary because songs provide a meaningful context for the vocabulary.
- Songs that use the right kind of vocabulary should be selected and also must be adjusted to student’s level. Here, teacher should refer to Dokumen Standard Kurikulum Pendidikan (DSKP) Bahasa Inggeris (Year 1 – Year 6) for vocabulary teaching.
WAYS OF TEACHING VOCABULARY USING SONGS
(FOCUS: PRIMARY STUDENTS YEAR 1 – YEAR 6)
1. Focus the subject or title of the song
Teacher provides a Guessing Game Activity. Students are asked to listen to the songs played at least twice. Students then think and guess the subject or title of the song in groups or pairs. Teacher provides students with some pictures and asks students to find the correct picture that relates to the title of the song.
2. Highlight it
Teacher writes the important words from the song on the board. Teacher explains the meaning of the words. Then, teacher calls students to say and pronounce the words as well as to construct simple sentences. Students are asked to assess their friends.
3. Hear it
Teacher plays the song many times. Students listen to it. Teacher may stop the song before a word so as to enable students to guess or each part of the song. Teacher may also distribute worksheet with words missing on the lyrics. Students are asked to write the words on the blanks provided. Teacher may then call any students from each group to state the words that they have written. Teacher and other friends may assess the answers. Teacher again play the song and students check their answers.
4. Strip it
Teacher carries out activity- based learning. Teacher cuts the song into strips and give each student to memorize. Teacher calls any student to say their part of the song without looking at the strip. After that, students are asked to organize the song strips in the right order, speak about the song and then listen again and check. Students may also put the strips on the table and arrange them in order.
5. Question it
Teacher asks students some questions about the song that they sing which relates to characters, topics or words found in the lyrics.
6. Change it
Teacher may ask students to work in groups. Teacher gives task to students to change the words to adjectives, nouns, names, places or feelings, occupations and others and invent new lyrics for the melody. Students may then sing their own version songs.
CONCLUSION
The use of songs in vocabulary teaching may give a high impact in language teaching. Students are highly motivated, may have a better chance of retaining vocabulary through the repetition of lyrics throughout the song.
In addition, songs can provide a natural way to practice oral repetition of new words and of course, reinforce previously learned words.
To conclude, teaching vocabulary using songs provides numerous benefits to students. Therefore, teachers are encouraged to use songs in the teaching of vocabulary. This is because songs have high impact on vocabulary learning and retention.
References:
- Teaching Vocabulary through Songs prezi.com
- Why and How to Introduce Song in English Language Classes elttguide.com
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