Inspire Self-Discovery in ESL Lessons with Bon Jovi’s 2024 Powerful Lyrics

Here’s a fresh ESL song lesson idea called: Musical Explorations!!

Are you ready to inspire your classroom with a journey of self-discovery and introspection? Dive into this captivating song-based ESL lesson plan featuring Bon Jovi’s evocative lyrics. This engaging ESL activity is designed to enhance listening and comprehension skills while delving into themes of personal limits, acceptance, and self-awareness.

Picture your students connecting profoundly with Bon Jovi’s powerful lyrics, engaging in discussions about recognizing boundaries, and reflecting on their own experiences through creative ESL activities. This lesson will immerse them in meaningful conversations, collaborative tasks, and essential language skills, all driven by the powerful messages in Bon Jovi’s music, making it an ideal resource for teaching English with music.

Whether you’re teaching in a physical classroom or a virtual environment, this Bon Jovi-inspired ESL lesson plan promises an unforgettable and impactful learning experience that promotes personal growth in ESL lessons. So, grab your headphones, hit play, and embark on a journey of musical exploration and self-discovery through Bon Jovi’s lyrics for English teaching.

Ready to make your English lessons truly resonate with the power of music-based ESL activities? Let’s get started and witness the magic of using Bon Jovi’s songs for teaching English!

Description

• Language level: B1
• Learner type: Teens & Adults
• Skills: Speaking, reading, listening, and writing
• Topics: Self-awareness, acceptance, and personal boundaries
• Materials: Genially presentation link
• Duration: About an hour
• Download your free teaching resources: [instructions.pdf],Themes + Listening worksheet.pdf  Lyrics Worksheet

Video Tutorial For This ESL Song Lesson Plan

   Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

Step 1 (5-7 min)

Genially presentation slide 01 link

Quotes:

• “Knowing what you can and can’t do is a strength, not a weakness. It’s the first step to getting better and growing.” — Anonymous
• “The only limits you have are the limits you believe.” — Wayne Dyer

1. Ask two students to read the quotes aloud.
2. Clarify any vocabulary doubts.
3. Ask students to explain the meaning of each quote.
4. Have other students say if they agree or disagree with the explanations.

Step 2 (7 min)

1. In pairs (breakout rooms), have students discuss their favorite quote and explain why.
2. Tell them to be prepared to report their opinions to the class.

Example: “Our favorite quote is… because…” OR “We both disagree on our favorite quote. I prefer the first one because… and he/she prefers the second one because…”

Step 3 (6 min)

1. Pairs report back to the class.
2. Facilitate a mini discussion based on their reports.

Step 4 (7 min)

Slide 2 of the Genially Presentation: Matching Exercise

1. Tell students these are phrases taken from the lyrics of a song.
2. Have students read the phrases and the themes. Clarify any vocabulary questions.
3. Have them match the phrases to the themes individually.
4. Correct the exercise using Slide 3.

Phrases:

• What’s broken you don’t try to fix (    )
• Who are you and who am I / To think that we could ever fly? (     )
• You don’t pick up what you can’t lift (     )

Themes:

• A. Knowing Your Limits
• B. Accepting Things as They Are
• C. Doubting Yourself

Answer Key:

1. What’s broken you don’t try to fix
   Theme: B. Accepting Things as They Are
2. Who are you and who am I / To think that we could ever fly?
   Theme: C. Doubting Yourself
3. You don’t pick up what you can’t lift
   Theme: A. Knowing Your Limits

Step 5 (7 min)

1. Ask students if they recognize the song or the singer/band (do not expect them to).
2. Have them guess whether the song is happy, sad, fast, slow, its music genre, etc., and give reasons based on the phrases.

Step 6 (5 min)

Slide 4: Listening Exercise – Ordering Song Lyrics

1. Tell students they are going to watch the music video of the song to check their ideas.
2. They must also number the phrases from the previous exercise in the order they appear in the song.

Sentences:

1. What’s broken you don’t try to fix. Order: _____
2. Who are you and who am I / To think that we could ever fly? Order: _____
3. You don’t pick up what you can’t lift Order: _____

Answer Key:

1. 2  B. 1  C. 3

Step 7 (5 min)

1. Have students comment on the video and share their thoughts on the song.
2. Compare their initial guesses with the actual song.
3. Discuss their opinions about the band Bon Jovi.

Step 8 (10 min)

Lyrics Worksheet

1. Students read the lyrics and correct 4 grammar mistakes.

mistakes and corrections:
It don’t pay (doesn’t)
to say me (tell)
she believe (believes)
This are (these)

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