Teaching Ideas
Visit Teaching News and enter our competition to win DK books!

More Teaching Ideas Literacy Ideas and Resources Numeracy Ideas and Resources Science Ideas and Resources Information and Communication Technology Ideas and Resources Design and Technology Ideas and Resources Geography Ideas and Resources History Ideas and Resources Art Ideas and Resources Music Ideas and Resources Physical Education Ideas and Resources Religious Education Ideas and Resources Early Years Ideas and Resources Foreign Languages Ideas and Resources More Teaching Ideas
Merry Melodies
Subject: Foreign Languages
(This idea was contributed by Maja Hadzic)
Age Range: 5 to 11

Level: beginner / elementary
Aim: practicing listening skills, practicing vocabulary
Time: 15 – 20 minutes
Language skills:
Types of learners: auditory, kinesthetic, visual, musical
Materials for the students: none
Materials for the teacher: none
Classroom management: whole class (in variation: groups)

Steps of the game:
1. Take some well-known tunes which children already know, e.g. 'London Bridge', 'Old McDonald', 'Jingle Bells' or a tune from their course book (if the course is supported by a cassette).
2. The lyrics of the song will be the vocabulary which was recently introduced, e.g. clothes or food. The lyrics are chosen by students – they suggest, and the teacher chooses suitable words according to the tune.
3. Activities which are to be performed during the song are also chosen by the students, e. g. socks are presented as putting them on one's feet.
4. The teacher sings along with the students and performs all the activities. The point of the game is not only in vocabulary, but in varying the speed of the song. This gets quite amusing with younger children!

Variation 1: groups of 3 or 4 students are formed. They take the same tune, but change the lyrics. They perform this for the class.
Variation 2: Young children like to draw. After the activity, they can draw the words form the song in the order they appear in the song (this can be done before singing with the children who do not read or write yet).

Some possible lyrics:
E.g. 'Jingle Bells': trousers, socks, jacket, jeans, we wear them every day,
sweater, shoes, t-shirt, cap, I'm wearing those today.

OR: 'London Bridge': a piece of pie, a glass of milk, sugar cane, chocolate bar,
a cup of coffee, lemon juice, one big pizza.


Teaching Ideas - Providing free lesson ideas, resources and activities since 1998.
All Content © Mark Warner / Teaching Ideas 1998-2009
Graphics by ThistleGirl Designs
Home Home Contact Contact FAQ FAQ
Site Map Site Map Contribute Contribute Terms Terms
RSS Feed RSS Feed Twitter Twitter Privacy Privacy
Join the Mailing List
Enter your email address to receive
updates via email.

Teaching Ideas is kindly hosted by
RM