What is Lyrics Training? What can Lyrics Training do?
Lyrics Training is a fascinating website which can be used for practicing mainly listening skills by watching/listening songs in various genres (usually linked from Youtube). Basically, these songs are divided into three levels: Easy (Green), Medium (Orange), and Hard (Red). In each song, there are still three levels for you to choose according to your proficiency, including Beginner (Fill in the blanks 10%), Intermediate (Fill in the blanks 25%), and Expert (Full lyrics). In addition to English, Songs in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German, and Dutch (7 languages in total) are available as well. Lyrics Training is frequently updated and totally free. Amazing, isn't it?
1. Go to http://www.lyricstraining.com/. You can click on 'Recently How to use Lyrics Training?
Played' or 'Most Played (Today)' or even search by keyword(s)
(lyrics, artist, or whatever) to get the song you want.
2. After selecting the song, you have to choose the proper level
then you can start enjoying it.
3. With the song going, fill in the blanks with correct words until the
end. The system will count the total time you spend and show
how many of the blanks are left below.
Why is Lyrics Training relevant to language teaching?
1. The varieties of levels (9 levels in total: Easy-Beginner, Easy-
Intermediate, Easy-Expert, Medium-Beginner, Medium-
Intermediate, Medium-Expert, Hard-Beginner, Hard-
Intermediate, and Hard-Expert) make this website suitable for
almost all the people to choose the song based on their language
proficiency. And it will be great for T to help Ss select the song
according to Krashen's "i+1" theory.
2. Using music/songs for materials is effective to lower Ss' anxiety
and to make the atmosphere more relaxing and friendlier. It is
also helpful to enhance Ss' motivation towards language learning.
Moreover, for those who have strongly musical
aptitude/intelligence, learning language by using songs will easily
make them become 'autonomous learners', which is one of all the
language teachers' common goals.
3. As long as Ss have computers and the Internet, they can go on
the website to learn English by choosing the song(s) which they
like or which they would love to learn. It is also very convenient
for Ts assign one/some of the songs for homework.
4. 'Culture' is also an important issue in language learning and
teaching. By using 'lyrics' and 'music videos', it is easy to find
materials to do with cultural issues. Ss can understand different
cultures and learn how to respect different ones.
Intermediate, Easy-Expert, Medium-Beginner, Medium-
Intermediate, Medium-Expert, Hard-Beginner, Hard-
Intermediate, and Hard-Expert) make this website suitable for
almost all the people to choose the song based on their language
proficiency. And it will be great for T to help Ss select the song
according to Krashen's "i+1" theory.
2. Using music/songs for materials is effective to lower Ss' anxiety
and to make the atmosphere more relaxing and friendlier. It is
also helpful to enhance Ss' motivation towards language learning.
Moreover, for those who have strongly musical
aptitude/intelligence, learning language by using songs will easily
make them become 'autonomous learners', which is one of all the
language teachers' common goals.
3. As long as Ss have computers and the Internet, they can go on
the website to learn English by choosing the song(s) which they
like or which they would love to learn. It is also very convenient
for Ts assign one/some of the songs for homework.
4. 'Culture' is also an important issue in language learning and
teaching. By using 'lyrics' and 'music videos', it is easy to find
materials to do with cultural issues. Ss can understand different
cultures and learn how to respect different ones.
How can Lyrics Training be used in / outside classroom?
1. It can be used as a warm-up activity to arouse Ss' curiosity and
attention. Also, it can be implemented as an extension activity
related to the theme/topic.
2. Through careful and appropriate selection, T can make Ss not
only practice listening and vocabulary (spelling) but also focus on
grammar and sentence structure.
3. It is possible to hold a competition based on this tool. The
person/group that finish the lyrics the fastest will be the winner.
The following is a sample activity concerning 'friendship'.
(Made by My Brainshark)
attention. Also, it can be implemented as an extension activity
related to the theme/topic.
2. Through careful and appropriate selection, T can make Ss not
only practice listening and vocabulary (spelling) but also focus on
grammar and sentence structure.
3. It is possible to hold a competition based on this tool. The
person/group that finish the lyrics the fastest will be the winner.
The following is a sample activity concerning 'friendship'.
(Made by My Brainshark)
What limitations are there?
1. The blanks slightly change every time you refresh the webpage,
which is a disadvantage for Ts to prepare worksheets beforehand.
Therefore, I personally suggest that it is better to use this tool in
computer classrooms.
2. It is possible for Ss to GUESS the answers by randomly typing
every letter on the keyboard. So T's monitoring is necessary
when using this tool.
3. "Ascents" may be good for high achievers to practice various
listening skills. However, different ascents will increase even
more difficulty for low achievers. Perhaps this factor may harm
their confidence or even demotivate them.
4. Some lyrics (e.g. taboo words) are not appropriate for Ss,
especially for younger learners and teenagers. Thus, T should be
very careful when selecting.
Hi, one simple question from a digital immigrant. I tried this tool but it suddenly stopped, and I could not move on to the next phrase. Could you kindly tell me how to use this? Can I directly fill in the missing words on the screen, or do we need a handout? As for the concept of this tool, it is enjoyable including up-to-date music.
ReplyDeleteHola, Queen of Technology, thanks for your comment! After typing the correct lyrics into the blanks, you will hear the music play again automatically. However, it is interesting to note that the pauses here could be considered "wait-time" in "Teacher Questioning Strategies". As for "on the screen" or "worksheet", I personally highly recommend to do it on screen, for the blanks slightly change all the time, and it is almost impossible and troublesome for teachers to prepare correct worksheets in advance.
DeleteGreat activities from your Presentation! Could you suggest more songs fit for students in senior high school level?
ReplyDeleteI used to use old songs coz the lyrics are beautiful and meaningful. Most current lyrics contain some of the PARSNIPs (Politics, Alcohol, Religion, Sex/Sexuality, Narcotic, Isms, Pork) which are considered inappropriate elements in teaching. I don't have any exact suggestions, but old songs may be good choices. :)
DeleteHi - a great post, and a message to Aileen, try songs by Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, James Taylor, Carol King, Jackson Browne, Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam). They are definitely 'old' songs but the melody and lyrics are timeless (I think anyway!). 'Both Sides Now' by Joni Mitchell is simple but has a lot of scope for discussion at senior high school level.'Father and Son' by Cat Stevens is a classic too.
ReplyDelete