• Working out the meaning of selected words from a context
• Synonym – giving for highlighted words in the lyrics
• Grouping vocabulary items according to given criteria
• Re-contextualizing selected vocabulary items
• Re-writing lyrics using paraphrasing strategies
Adam J . Simpson draws attention in the article How to use songs in the English language classroom to the fact that something that we must all understand is that while songs often “ serve as good contexts for phrases and idioms , it is good to make sure that the meaning is clear . Years of misunderstanding can come to light in this way !” So , vocabulary exercises can help clarify the meaning of words which may be misunderstood and , consequently , of the message of the song .
Grammar development Grammar rules are something students would not associate with the fun activity of listening to songs , but lyrics can be a valuable tool to raise awareness of how grammar is used in context . Advanced learners can be involved in activities where they will be directed to correct the mistakes that occur in some song lyrics ( whether that are poetic licenses or simply native-speaker mistakes ).
The types of exercises listed above in the vocabulary section can be used when focusing on grammar as well . Below you can find some well-known songs that could be used to spark a discussion on the use of grammar structures such as :
• Present Tenses - Aerosmith – I Don ’ t Want to Miss a Thing / Avril Lavigne – I ’ m With You
• Present Perfect – Phil Collins - In the air tonight / U2 - I Still Haven ’ t Found What I ’ m Looking For
• Past Tense - Gotye - Somebody That I Used to Know / The Beatles – Yesterday
• Future Tenses - Madonna - Papa Don ´ t Preach / The Police - Every Breath You Take
• Mixed tenses - The Bangles - Manic Monday
• Reported Speech - Stereophonics - Mama Told Me Not to Come
• Passive Voice - Maroon 5 - She Will Be Loved / Westlife - Written in The Stars
• Causative - Pink – Get the Party Started
• Modal verbs - Dido - Thank You / U2 - Sometimes You Can ’ t Make It on Your Own
• Conditionals - The Beatles - With a Little Help from My Friends / Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven
• Wishes - Angie Stone – I Wish Didn ’ t Miss You
• Gerund / Infinitives - James Blunt - Goodbye My Lover / Arctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes Down
• Interrogative forms - ABBA – Mamma Mia
• Determiners - Nickleback - Gotta Be Somebody
• Pronouns - Jason Mraz – I ’ m Yours
• Adjectives - Whitesnake - The Deeper the Love / Prince - The Most Beautiful Girl in The World
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