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Le Lien Vol. XI, No. I - November 1998
We Ask Teachers...
How do you use music
in your second language classroom?

For this issue we decided to reverse our traditional
"teachers ask" column and this time we are asking teachers
to give us the answers. By doing so we hope to provide
second language teachers with some ideas from their colleagues
that may prove to be useful in their own classrooms.

Listening Centres: One way which some teachers have found effective to incorporate music is through the use of listening centres. Joan MacDonald, who teaches at Lincoln Elementary, has created various mixed tapes with songs by Jacquot, Celine Dion, Angele Arsenault, Roch Voisine, and "la musique de la Cirque du Soleil" which she has available at a listening centre for students who have completed a given task. She provides walkmans at these Centres so children can sit and enjoy French music without interrupting fellow classmates.

Learning Centres: Many immersion teachers have adopted learning centres as a means of organizing their integrated curriculum. Often such centres provide students with activities that incorporate music. One interesting activity developed by one of our student teachers, involved art-making while listening to music. Students were asked to listen to the song several times and then to create a watercolour painting representing some element of the song. This teacher also had several read-along books with great images which follow the lyrics of many songs. These sorts of "books" can also be created by students and then used by others in the class.

Tapes that accompany established programs (e.g. Dimoitou): Most elementary FSL programs used in NB have companion cassettes; many of which contain tunes and lyrics which children enjoy. These songs often have accompanying actions which allow children can actively participate while learning new vocabulary.

Thematic and Holiday music: Many teachers introduce music at special times of the year- "La rentrée", Hallowe'en, Christmas (or winter-oriented music for those who prefer to steer away from specific religious holidays), "Carnaval", Birthdays, and so on.

Background or Motivation Music: Another interesting way to incorporate music and one which helps some students to stay on task is the use of background or motivation music. While students work in cooperative groups, some teachers will play various types of music in the target language; creating a relaxed and pleasant learning environment. It is helpful to remember that this music should not distract students from the task at hand but rather provide "atmosphere."

Dramatization: If you have visited an elementary school classroom, you have probably seen children and teachers putting actions with songs. This is a time-honoured and extremely effective way to increase comprehension while having students actively involved in their learning. Students can also create their own actions for songs, which they can perform in small groups for fellow students, to show their understanding of the lyrics. This idea can work well for teens as they are exposed to music videos which often tell the story taking place in song. The use TL music videos with older learners can be very effective as it increases motivation and comprehension. o Creating their own music: Language learners often enjoy putting new lyrics to familiar tunes. For younger children simple melodies can be used to create TL songs together as a class. Using themes covered in class, older learners may enjoy putting TL lyrics to pop song melodies or popular advertising jingles.
New
SLEC
Publication

As a follow-up to the original MOCAP document, experienced MOCAP users have contributed their ideas
to form a new collection of evaluation techniques for second language teachers.

These evaluation items,
which are based on the same principles as the original MOCAP, include themes
such as travel, family, sports, animals, school, and professions.

Containing over 50 items,
this document will prove
to be a useful teaching tool for
FSL teachers using a thematic and communicative approach
to language teaching.

If you are interested in obtaining a copy, contact
your local supervisor or
The Second Language Education Centre
at 506-453-5136
or email us at
slec@unb.ca.

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