Lecture The use of songs in teaching vocabulary Plan: Reasons for using songs Three rationales towards the use of song

Some scholars distinguish three rationales towards the use of song teaching vocabulary
1. affective,
2. cognitive
3. linguistic.
Firstly, from the affective reason, the use of song is lower students’ affective filter which leads to students’ positive attitude toward the language. It can happen because song is fun and enjoyable.
Next, from cognitive reason, song helps learners to develop automaticity. The nature of song which is repetitive and consistent is helpful in learners’ language development process.
The last reason is from linguistic perspective. Song provides authentic/original material for learners which is important in promoting language learning.
The use of song as technique in teaching vocabulary
Song is defined as a short piece of music with words that are sung (Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 3rd). Song or music has been part of human life since long ago. Though, song has also been used in education, include in the
language teaching, especially in English vocabulary teaching.
According to Millington (2011) if one wants to use song in teaching vocabulary to
young learners he must develop the song as learning task. The following are the
framework of the song-based learning that was proposed by (Millington (2011).

Preparation	Core activity	Follow up
Activate vocabulary-form basic sentence structure	Involve students (maximize students’ interest)	Oral production of the song. example: situational role play and/or picture vocabulary Test
Eliciting vocabulary through pictures	Varying the pace/volume
	Total physical response/sing along chorally

The teacher introduces the new target vocabulary by using some pictures and writing the words on the whiteboard. Along the way, the teacher asks some questions to make sure the students know about the meaning of the words.

After the students seem to master the song the teacher asks the students to sing with some variation in the move/ pace and volume.
The Follow up stage covers a guessing game and vocabulary worksheet
activity.
Using English songs can develop the quality of students' vocabulary and can motivate students to get new words they have listened. In addition, most learners enjoy singing songs, and songs can often be a variety from the routine of learning the foreign language.
Songs are also effective to make the students to remember the words easily and feel more motivated in the class because they learn in an interesting way. One of the ways in creating an enjoyable learning atmosphere is by using songs as teaching media in the classroom to develop students’ vocabulary mastery.
Activities need not require hours of preparation time and some of the best activities are spontaneous and simple. Below are a few suggestions. They are categorised into pre-listening, while listening and after listening activities.