How to Use A.I. For Dynamic (& Fun) ESL Grammar-Focused Activities With Songs

Transform Your ESL Classroom with AI Magic

Step into the future of teaching by incorporating technology into your language lessons, transforming the classroom experience into something more engaging and effective. With the rise of AI tools, you now have the chance to craft dynamic and interactive ESL activities that truly captivate your students’ attention. This blog post is your comprehensive guide on using AI to design songs for grammar-focused activities. Here’s what you’ll discover:

• AI-Generated Song Lyrics: Learn how to use AI tools to create song lyrics that focus on specific grammar points.
• Audio Creation: Discover how to produce audio tracks from AI-generated lyrics to enhance the learning experience.
• Lyric Modification: Explore techniques for modifying lyrics to create engaging classroom activities.
• Detailed Lesson Plan: Access a step-by-step lesson plan that includes:
  • Listening exercises to improve auditory skills.
  • Comprehension checks to ensure understanding.
  • Grammar practice to reinforce language concepts.
• Multi-Sensory Learning: Integrate AI-generated content with traditional language skills to offer a fun and educational experience.

Unleash the potential of AI and transform your ESL classroom with captivating, song-based activities that inspire and educate.

Creation Process For Teachers:

Lyric Generation:

• Use ChatGPT or Claude 3.5 to create song lyrics focused on a specific grammar point.
• Prompt the AI to include relevant vocabulary and structures related to the theme of your lesson.

Example prompt and output:

Prompt for ChatGPT or Claude: “Create fun, simple song lyrics about daily activities using the simple present tense. Use basic vocabulary but add some rhythm and rhyme. Include at least 8 different daily routine verbs. The song should have a catchy chorus and two short verses. Make it easy for beginner ESL students to understand and enjoy singing.“

Output: 

Verse 1: Rise and shine, it’s morning time
I jump out of bed, feeling fine
Brush my teeth, comb my hair
Choose cool clothes to wear

Chorus: Everyday life, it’s so much fun
From dawn to dusk, till day is done
We work, we play, we laugh, we run
This is how our days are spun!

Verse 2: Lunchtime comes, I eat and chat
After school, I pet my cat
Do my homework, watch some shows
Take a shower, day comes to a close
(Repeat Chorus)

These lyrics maintain simplicity while adding more rhythm and playfulness. They’re focused on daily activities and the simple present tense, but with a bit more energy that students might find engaging.

Audio Creation:

• Input the AI-generated lyrics into Ilovesongai to produce the song’s audio.
• Adjust settings as needed for desired tempo and style.
• Watch the Video Tutorial below

Lyric Modification:

• Introduce seven intentional differences in the lyrics for the activity.

For the lyric modification step, you could make changes like:

• Original: “Rise and shine, it’s morning time”
  Modified: “Rise and smile, it’s morning time”
  
• Original: “I jump out of bed, feeling fine”
  Modified: “I get out of bed, feeling fine”
  
• Original: “Brush my teeth, comb my hair”
  Modified: “Brush my teeth, wash my hair”
  
• Original: “Choose cool clothes to wear”
  Modified: “Choose nice clothes to wear”
  
• Original: “We work, we play, we laugh, we run”
  Modified: “We work, we play, we talk, we run”
  
• Original: “Lunchtime comes, I eat and chat”
  Modified: “Lunchtime comes, I eat and rest”
  
• Original: “Take a shower, day comes to a close”
  Modified: “Take a bath, day comes to a close”
  

Modified lyrics for the video:

Verse 1: Rise and smile, it’s morning time
I get out of bed, feeling fine
Brush my teeth, wash my hair
Choose nice clothes to wear

Chorus: Everyday life, it’s so much fun
From dawn to dusk, till day is done
We work, we play, we talk, we run
This is how our days are spun!

Verse 2 (2x): Lunchtime comes, I eat and rest
After school, I pet my cat
Do my homework, watch some shows
Take a bath, day comes to a close

Repeat verse 1
(Repeat Chorus) 3x

Video Production:

• Create a video displaying the modified lyrics with the AI-generated audio.

STEP-BY-STEP SUGGESTED LESSON PLAN:

Step 1 (7-10 min) 

Listening and Identification
Genially Presentation: slide 1. link Play the video with modified lyrics.
Students identify and note the seven differences.

Step 2 (5-10 min) 

Comprehension Check
Ask questions to ensure understanding of the song’s content.

• What time of day does the song describe at the beginning? (Morning)
• How does the person feel when they get out of bed? (Feeling fine)
• Name three morning activities mentioned in the song. (Brush teeth, wash hair, choose clothes)
• According to the chorus, from when to when does the day last? (From dawn to dusk)
• What four actions are mentioned in the chorus that people do during the day? (Work, play, talk, run)
• When does the person eat lunch? (Lunchtime)
• What does the person do after school? (Pet their cat)
• What two activities does the person do in the evening before going to bed? (Do homework, watch shows)
• How does the day end according to the song? (Take a bath)
• What phrase is repeated at the end of both verses to show the day is finishing? (Day comes to a close)

Step 3 (10-15 minutes) 

Grammar Focus
Students transform sentences from the lyrics into negative or interrogative forms.
Pair work: Compare and discuss answers.

Grammar Exercise: Follow the model to write negative sentences according to the lyrics.

Model: I get out of bed. I don’t get out of bed. I jump out of bed.

1. I rise and smile. ___________________________________________________
2. I wash my hair. ___________________________________________________.
3. I choose nice clothes to wear. _______________________________________________.
4. We talk._______________________________________________
5. I eat and rest. _______________________________________________
6. I take a bath. _______________________________________________
7. I watch some movies _______________________________________.

Step 4 (10 min) 

Personalization
Students answer questions about their own lives based on the song’s themes.

1. What time do you usually wake up in the morning?
2. How do you feel when you get out of bed?
3. What’s the first thing you do after waking up?
4. What kind of clothes do you like to wear to school?
5. What’s your favorite part of the day? Why?
6. What do you usually do during lunchtime?
7. Do you have any pets? If yes, what kind? If no, would you like one?
8. When do you usually do your homework?
9. What’s your favorite TV show or movie to watch?
10. How do you end your day? What’s the last thing you do before going to bed?

BENEFITS:

• Enhances listening skills and attention to detail
• Reinforces grammar concepts in a contextualized, engaging manner
• Improves reading comprehension
• Encourages peer collaboration and discussion
• Personalizes language learning
• Provides a fun, multi-sensory approach to language acquisition
• Offers versatility as a review, practice, or standalone activity
• Allows teachers to create custom content tailored to their students’ needs
• Introduces students to AI-generated content, fostering digital literacy

This activity is perfect for tech-savvy teachers looking to create unique, targeted materials for their students. It combines the power of AI with creative teaching methods to produce engaging, grammar-focused lessons.

Check Out This Exercise Page Example

ESL Grammar Songs 🎶

Unlocking the Future of ESL Teaching with AI

Embracing AI technology can truly transform the way you teach ESL, making grammar lessons more engaging and enjoyable for your students. This activity not only strengthens essential language skills but also introduces students to the fascinating world of AI-generated content, boosting their digital literacy along the way. Whether you use it for review, practice, or as a standalone lesson, this approach offers a flexible and personalized learning experience that adapts to your students’ needs.

What makes this method so effective is its blend of traditional language teaching with innovative technology, creating a dynamic and interactive classroom environment. Students get to learn grammar in a fun, context-rich setting while also gaining valuable exposure to AI, preparing them for the digital world. By incorporating AI into your teaching toolkit, you can spark a love for language learning and help your students build the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century

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