MUSICAL GRAMMAR PIECES! A Reading-Listening-Speaking Activity: Teaching English with SONGS!

INTRODUCING a new and original English Language Teaching activity – MUSICAL GRAMMAR PIECES – containing short song lyrics extracts which students read and correct the grammar and collaborate in groups to reach a final decision about the correction. Made especially for TEACHING ENGLISH ONLINE WITH ZOOM features like BREAKOUT ROOMS, SCREEN-SHARING, CHAT BOX, etc.

Description: Students read the lyrics extracts, correct them individually, listen to the extracts to check, compare answers in small groups and decide on the final corrected version for a group competition

This activity focuses on verbs (simple present, simple future), relative pronouns (who and that), spelling (colors), noun/verb forms, irregular plural forms and comparatives.

Language level:  (A2+) and above
Learner type: All ages
Skills: speaking, reading, listening and writing
Topic: grammar correction
Language: varied
Materials: genial.ly presentation and mp3 files
Duration: 45 min - 1 hour 
Downloadable materials:  instructions; mp3 files

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS POST:

STEP-BY-STEP LESSON PLAN

Step 1 (5 min)

Ask them what their favorite kind of music is, etc. Tell your students that in this class they are going to work with songs and correct grammar mistakes in the lyrics.

Screen-share the slide with the first MGP (Musical Grammar Piece) with the grammar/spelling mistakes.

Step 2. (3 min)

GIve 2 minutes for the students to correct the THREE mistakes (individually in the main room)

But tell them not to give the answers now.

Step 3 (5 min)

Screen-share the second lyrics extract. And repeat step 2

Step 4 (5 min)

Screen-share the third lyrics extract. And repeat step 2

Step 5 (10 – 15 min)

PLAY the lyrics extracts so they can check their work. Play the extracts 2 or 3 times.

Step 6

(10 min) Divide students into small groups, and put them in BREAKOUT ROOMS. They are going to compare their answers and come to a final group decision on the corrections.

Step 7. (5 – 10 min)

Back to the main room. A student from each group (the captain) will send you (privately) the corrected sentences for the first extract in the CHAT BOX. Award points to the right corrections. Then, do the same with the other extracts. The group with more right corrections is the winner.

ANSWERS:
MGP 1 (good job - alicia keys)
You're the engine that makes all things go (who)
And you're always in disguise, my hero
I see your light in the dark
Smile in my face when we all know it's hard (knows)
There's no way to ever pay you back
Bless your heart, know I love you for that (loving)
Honest and selfless

MGP 2 (black and white - niall horan)
Yeah, I see us in black and white (blak)
Crystal clear on a starlit night
In all your gorgeous colours
I promise that I'll love you for the rest of my life (live)
See you standing in your dress
I swear in front of all our friends
There'll never be another (being)

MGP 3 (we are warriors - avril lavigne)
'Cause we are warriors, we'll fight for our lives (lifes)
Like soldiers all through the night
And we won't give up, we will survive (to give)
We are warriors
And we're stronger, that's why we're alive (more strong)
We will conquer, time after time
We'll never falter, we will survive
We are warriors

This song-based lesson plan is sure to spice up your classes! However, would you like to think, feel and act more creatively on your own to be able to turn ANY song you want into an engaging lesson plan?
HERE are TIME-SAVING ideas that do the heavy work so you can focus on the most important: INSPIRING and MOTIVATING YOUR STUDENTS to learn CREATIVELY!