Action songs

I would like to share with you my reflection about today's webinar. It was about using songs while teaching English. According to the speaker, songs can be used to signal the change of activities, calm down/wake up, routines, brain breaks/movement, story/theme of the lesson, repetition, warm up, speech therapy exercises, finger dexterity exercises and musical development. 

Some teacher might be reluctant to sing in the classroom, but the presenter's advice is to keep in mind that children are the best audience and they love their teachers. It is important to be yourself and start singing, but also to love the song, know it well and make it yours through its modification. The speaker believes that focusing on movement, singing and making music takes the pressure and the embarrassment away. The advice is to believe in yourself and sing to your students. 

In addition, the speaker is encouraging improvisation which is a doorway to creativity. It is advised to give up the control, accept mistakes, observe, look and listen with care, expect the unexpected and decide quickly. Moreover, the presenter thinks that a good teacher is also a happy human. Indeed, there is a need for a work-life balance so to prioritise things because the well-being of a teacher is a key to successful teaching. 

There are some simple musical instruments which could be used while signing English songs including body parts, paper, cups, sticks, tambourine or ukulele.

The list of some songs proposed by the speaker:

• Five Little Ducks
• Penguin Song
• The Princess Song
• Little Bunny Fufu
• Silly Zoo
• Tu-di-ta
• Melting Snowman 

The advice is to believe in yourself and sing to your students. 

Do you sing with your students? What is your favourite song for learning English?

Angelika