You hear it, don’t you? That new song from 2024 that’s suddenly everywhere, the one your students are humming in the hallways. You see their eyes light up, and you know… you just KNOW… that bringing that music into the classroom is the key. It’s the spark that makes learning feel less like a lesson and more like LIFE itself—fresh, relevant, and full of real energy.
And that spark is exactly what I want to help you capture. This guide is my way of sharing how you can take the incredible music of today’s artists—like Hozier, SZA, or Billie Eilish—and build a whole lesson around it. A lesson that feels good to teach because it’s creative, meaningful, and yes, saves you that precious prep time we all need.
You’ll get concrete ideas you can use right away to build those core skills, and I’ll even give you a special look at the kind of detailed, step-by-step lesson plans my members receive in the Exclusive Subscriber Club. It’s all about turning music into meaning.
Why Use Pop Songs in Your ESL Classroom?
From my own experience as a teacher, I can tell you this: music works. It just does. It’s one of our best tools, really. Songs bring in that authentic language we’re always looking for, they get students genuinely motivated, and they create a context for grammar and vocabulary that actually sticks in their minds. It’s memorable.
And when you use the hits they’re listening to RIGHT NOW in 2024? That’s when things get really powerful. Here’s what I mean:
- First, the engagement is instant. You’re using music they already connect with, music they actually love. Half your work is already done!
- Then, you go deeper. These lessons aren’t just about listening. You can design them to build REAL skills—creativity, critical thinking, the works. It’s about so much more than just the lyrics.
- And maybe most importantly, you save TIME. Let’s face it, we need more of it. When you have a framework to follow, you aren’t starting from a blank page every single time.
Top 2024 Song Picks for Engaging ESL Activities
1- “Too Sweet” by Hozier
What “Too Sweet” by Hozier Means for ESL Students
Have you ever felt that pull between two completely different energies in a relationship? That’s the beautiful tension at the heart of Hozier’s “Too Sweet.” It’s a story we can all feel—one person who lives for the spontaneity of the night and another who finds their rhythm in the quiet discipline of the morning.
And right there in that contrast? That’s where the teaching magic is for our intermediate (B1) students. It opens up a real conversation about more than just the song.
Suddenly, it’s not just a vocabulary list. It’s their own life they’re talking about—their routines, what they truly prefer, and the little things that make them who they are. You’re giving them the tools to speak their own heart, and that’s what really matters.
Key Vocabulary & Grammar from “Too Sweet” by Hozier
- Vocabulary: Focus on lifestyle words (whiskey neat, coffee black, early bird, sunrise) and contrasting adjectives (late vs. early, dark vs. bright, sweet vs. bitter).
- Grammar: The song is excellent for practicing expressions of preference and making comparisons.
ESL Activity: Musical Grammar Pieces for Hozier’s “Too Sweet”:
Musical Grammar Pieces is a hands-on activity that makes grammar review fun and collaborative.
- Give students short extracts from the lyrics with intentional grammatical errors.
- Students work individually to find and correct the mistakes.
- In small groups, they discuss their corrections and agree on the right answers.
- Finally, listen to the song together to check their work.
This method reinforces grammar rules while promoting teamwork and critical thinking.
2- “Saturn” by SZA
What “Saturn” by SZA Means for ESL Students
Have you ever had one of those days, or maybe even one of those years, where you just want to escape it all? That’s the REAL feeling SZA taps into with “Saturn.” The song explores those heavy, human themes of frustration and disillusionment, and that deep-down desire to just find a way out of life’s struggles.
She uses the planet Saturn as this beautiful, soulful metaphor for that place we all dream of—a place free from pain and the weight of the world.
This makes the song a powerful space for our upper-intermediate (B2) students. It’s an opportunity for them to move beyond everyday topics and learn how to talk about complex emotions and DEEPER ideas. It helps them find the words for their own abstract thoughts, which is such a huge step in their journey to true fluency.
Key Vocabulary and Grammar from “Saturn” by SZA
- Vocabulary: Teach emotional vocabulary (intrusive thoughts, paralyze, hysteria) and philosophical concepts (karma, paradigm, Nirvana).
- Figurative Language: This song is rich with metaphors (Saturn as a utopia) and symbolism, providing a great opportunity for deeper analysis.
ESL Activity: Musical Sentences for “Saturn” by SZA
Musical Sentences is a multi-step activity that builds comprehension and listening skills.
- Match: Students match sentence strips from the lyrics to images with speech bubbles, explaining their choices.
- Order: Students listen to the song and arrange the sentences in the correct order.
- Listen: Finish with an exercise using the full lyrics.
3- “Stars Will Align” by Kygo & Imagine Dragons
What the Song “Stars Will Align” Means for ESL Students
This song has such a positive message, doesn’t it? It’s all about a love that lasts, the kind of connection that isn’t just for today but is destined to get stronger. It’s a theme that’s just full of hope.
That hopeful energy is what makes it a fantastic choice for our intermediate (B1) students. It’s the perfect way to introduce vocabulary that’s all about those big, important feelings: hope, love, and thinking about the future. It’s a message that really speaks to the soul.
This makes it a wonderful opportunity for our intermediate (B1) students. It gives them a perfect space to find the words for their own dreams, their feelings about connection, and their hopes for the future. You’re teaching them a language not just of grammar, but of the heart
Key Vocabulary and Grammar from “Stars Will Align”
- Vocabulary: Explore words and phrases related to time and love (seasons, summer, winter, devotion, commitment).
- Figurative Language: Analyze the meaning of metaphors like “wine gets better with time” and the idiom “our stars will align.”
- Grammar: The lyrics provide authentic examples of the future tense (“will align,” “will always remember”).
ESL Activity: Lyrical Reading for “Stars Will Align”
Lyrical Reading focuses on interpretation and deduction before students ever hear the music.
- Read Aloud: Read the song’s lyrics to the class as if it were a poem.
- Note-Taking: Students listen and jot down any interesting words, phrases, or ideas they hear.
- Pair & Share: In pairs, students share their notes and try to figure out the song’s main message.
- Reveal: Finally, play the music video and discuss how it compares to their interpretations.
4- “Death Wish Love” by Benson Boone
What “Death Wish Love” by Benson Boone Means for ESL Students
Some songs just have an intense energy, don’t they? “Death Wish Love” is one of them. It’s a song that dives right into that complicated space where love feels both exciting and a little bit destructive.
It’s all about that line between a thrilling passion and something that feels almost dangerous. That intensity is what makes it a fantastic, meaty topic for our upper-intermediate (B2) students. It lets them REALLY sink their teeth into figurative language and find the words for those big, complicated feelings that everyone experiences.
It’s a fantastic, meaty topic for our upper-intermediate (B2) students. This is a song that lets them REALLY sink their teeth into figurative language and find the words for those big, complicated feelings that everyone experiences. It pushes them to go deeper with their English.
Key Vocabulary and Grammar from “Death Wish Love” by Benson Boone
- Vocabulary: Introduce intense emotional words (terrified, suicide, die, kill) in a figurative context.
- Figurative Language: Discuss the meaning of the metaphorical title “Death Wish Love” and phrases like “cut me down.”
- Literary Devices: Analyze the use of repetition for emphasis (“I love you to death”).
ESL Activity: Musical Insights for “Death Wish Love” by Benson Boone
Musical Insights encourages students to connect personally with the song’s themes.
- Predict: Give students incomplete verses from the song and have them guess the missing words or ideas.
- Discuss: In pairs, students discuss the potential mood and message of the song based on the fragments.
- Listen & Verify: Play the song so students can check their predictions.
- Reflect: Lead a group discussion where students share their final interpretations and insights.
5- “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish
What “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish Means for ESL Students
This romantic song is about deep loyalty and wanting a bond that lasts forever. It’s great for intermediate (B1/B2) students to learn common idioms and expressions related to love and commitment.
For a full ESL SONG ANALYSIS of Birds of a feather read this blog post:
Key Vocabulary and Grammar from “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish
- Idiomatic Expressions: This is a perfect opportunity to teach the meaning of “birds of a feather flock together” and “turning blue.”
- Vocabulary: Focus on words of commitment and emotion (loyalty, grave, inseparable, stay).
- Grammar: The song uses simple conditional forms (“If you go, I’m goin’ too”) that are great for review.
ESL Activity: Musical Word Search for “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish
Musical Word Search is a fun way to introduce and reinforce key vocabulary from the song.
- Word Search: Students complete a word search puzzle containing key vocabulary from the lyrics.
- Gap-Fill: They then use the words they found to complete a gap-fill exercise of the lyrics.
- Listen & Check: Play the song to let students check their answers.
- Discuss: Talk about the song’s themes and how the vocabulary contributes to the meaning.
6- “Now and Then” by The Beatles
What “Now and Then” by The Beatles Means for ESL Students
This posthumous release from The Beatles is a nostalgic and emotional song about love, longing, and dependence. Its simple, powerful language makes it accessible for high-beginner to intermediate (A2/B1) students.
Key Vocabulary and Grammar from “Now and Then” by The Beatles
- Vocabulary: Focus on core emotional vocabulary (miss, love, return, depend).
- Adverbs of Frequency: Teach the meaning and use of the phrase “now and then.”
- Grammar: The song provides clear examples of the present simple tense to express feelings.
ESL Activity: Musical Word Connections for “Now and Then” by The Beatles
Musical Word Connections helps students build vocabulary by making associations.
- Brainstorm: Give students a key word from the song (e.g., “love”) and have them brainstorm related words.
- Connect: In pairs, students write down and explain the connections between the words they brainstormed and the song’s themes.
- Listen: Play the song and have students listen for the words and concepts they discussed.
- Discuss: Talk about the music video and how it visualizes the song’s message.
7- “Heavy” by Shawn Mendes
What “Heavy” by Shawn Mendes Means for ESL Students
This is one of those songs that gets right to the heart of something we all understand: carrying a heavy emotional burden.
The track “Heavy” does such a beautiful job of exploring this feeling. It’s an introspective song about what it’s like to carry that weight, but it’s also about something more hopeful: that moment we finally realize it’s okay to be vulnerable and accept help.
This makes it a truly special track for our intermediate (B1/B2) learners. It gives us a way to open up a gentle, safe conversation about mental health, vulnerability, and the incredible strength it takes to grow as a person. It’s a lesson that goes beyond the language and touches the heart.
Key Vocabulary and Grammar from “Heavy” by Shawn Mendes
- Vocabulary: Introduce vocabulary related to mental health and emotions (heavy, lonely, burden, weight, rock-steady, let go).
- Figurative Language: Explore metaphors like carrying a “heavy” load and being “rock-steady.”
- Grammar: The song uses the present perfect continuous (“I’ve been running”) to describe a prolonged struggle.
ESL Activity: Song-based Conversation Class for “Heavy” by Shawn Mendes
This activity is perfect for intermediate students (B1/B2) and focuses on speaking skills.
- Quote Discussion: Start with a discussion about quotes related to the song’s themes (e.g., “A problem shared is a problem halved”).
- Listen & Analyze: Listen to the song and analyze the lyrics in small groups.
- Conversation: Use discussion prompts to encourage students to share their opinions and personal experiences related to the song’s message.
8- “The Door” by Teddy Swims
What “The Door” by Teddy Swims Means for ESL Students
Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is let go. This song is a powerful anthem about that exact moment—the decision to walk away from a toxic relationship and take your own life back.
This makes it a fantastic tool for our upper-intermediate (B2) students. The song gives them the language to talk about something so important: empowerment. It helps them find the words for setting boundaries, for self-liberation, and for celebrating their own strength.
Key Vocabulary and Grammar from “The Door” by Teddy Swims
- Vocabulary: Focus on words for emotional experiences (pain, sacrifice, soul, sanity, liberation).
- Phrasal Verbs & Idioms: Teach the meaning of “show someone the door” and “digging a grave.”
- Grammar: The song’s narrative provides a great context for practicing past tense storytelling.
ESL Activity: Musical Interview for “The Door” by Teddy Swims
- Analyze: After listening to the song, students analyze the singer’s situation and motivations.
- Formulate Questions: In groups, students brainstorm and write interview questions they would ask the singer (Teddy Swims). This is great practice for question formation.
- Role-Play: Students can role-play the interview, with one student acting as the singer and the others as journalists.
9- “All” by Snow Patrol
What “All” by Snow Patrol Means for ESL Students
There’s a certain kind of vulnerability that only comes when you love someone deeply, isn’t there? The song “All” captures this feeling perfectly—that mix of fear and total surrender that comes with giving someone your whole heart.
Its slow, melodic pace creates a wonderful space for our intermediate (B1) students. It allows them to really tune in and listen with intention, making it the perfect choice for a focused listening comprehension activity where they can catch every word and feel the story.
Key Vocabulary and Grammar from “All” by Snow Patrol
- Vocabulary: Explore words for complex emotions (vulnerability, fear, longing, pride).
- Figurative Language: Discuss the metaphor of holding someone with “museum gloves.”
- Grammar: The lyrics show authentic use of the present continuous to describe ongoing feelings (“I’m just checking that your light’s still on”).
ESL Activity: Musical Listening Practice for “All” by Snow Patrol
This is a straightforward and effective gap-fill listening exercise with a video spin.
- Prepare: Provide students with the lyrics, which have key words or phrases removed.
- Listen & Fill: Play the video two or three times. Students watch carefully and write down the missing words.
- Check: Review the answers as a class, clarifying any difficult vocabulary.
10- “Wonderful” by Tones and I
What “Wonderful” by Tones and I Means for ESL Students
Don’t we all need someone who sees the good in us, especially on days we can’t see it ourselves? This heartfelt ballad is all about that exact feeling—offering steady, unconditional support to someone you care about.
And because the message is so clear and encouraging, it’s a wonderful and accessible song for our intermediate (B1) learners. It’s more than just a listening activity; it’s a way to talk about kindness, support, and seeing the best in each other.
Key Vocabulary and Grammar from “Wonderful” by Tones and I
- Vocabulary: Teach expressions of support and encouragement (stay by your side, hold on, won’t let you go, wonderful).
- Grammar: The song provides simple, clear examples of imperatives (“look up at the lights”) and future tense promises (“I’ll stay with you”).
ESL Activity: GrammaClip Challenge for “Wonderful” by Tones and I
- Team Up: Divide students into pairs or small teams.
- Watch & Write: Play short video clips of the song. For each clip, teams must identify and write down a specific vocabulary word or grammar structure you’ve assigned (e.g., “Find a phrasal verb,” “Find a word that means ‘support'”).
- Score Points: The first team to write the correct answer gets a point.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How can these song activities save me time?
These activities provide a ready-made structure for your lesson. Instead of creating a lesson from scratch, you can adapt these proven frameworks—like Musical Grammar Pieces or Lyrical Reading—to fit the song and your students’ needs, saving you valuable prep time.
What ESL skills do these activities target?
- A: They target all four major skills! Activities like Musical Listening Practice and GrammaClip Challenge are great for listening. Lyrical Reading and Musical Insights promote reading and critical thinking. Song-based Conversation Class and Musical Interview directly target speaking. All activities build vocabulary and reinforce grammar in a memorable context.
Are these activities suitable for different CEFR levels (e.g., A2, B1, B2)?
Yes. I’ve included suggestions for the most appropriate CEFR level for each song (from A2 to B2). The activities themselves are also highly adaptable. For example, a Musical Listening Practice activity can be made simpler for A2 learners (by gapping basic words) or more complex for B2 learners (by gapping idiomatic phrases).
Where can I find the full, ready-to-use lesson plans?
All the complete, step-by-step lesson plans for these songs and many more are available in my Exclusive Subscriber Club.
You now know it’s possible to go beyond the same old worksheets. You can use these songs to create lessons that are truly meaningful and that your students will remember.
If you want to go deeper and get ready-to-use lesson plans that do the heavy lifting for you, check out the Exclusive Subscriber Club. That’s where I share all my best resources.
Thank you for reading.
Happy teaching!
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