English Everyday Program (Singing Songs)

Each Friday, we conduct “English Everyday Program” for the students of Grades 3, 4 and 5.  It is an open air stage event. But, we use to have it indoor when the rainy season comes.  I launched this program during the Covid-19 period and still continuing with a great success.

The objectives I wanted to achieve through this programe include:

•   To improve students’ listening comprehension by engaging them in understanding song lyrics.
•   To develop pronunciation, rhythm and stress patterns through repeated singing.
•   To enrich students’ vocabulary and expression in a fun and meaningful context.
•   To promote attitude towards English learning.
•   To develop the memory and concentration through learning and recalling lyrics.

To accomplish those objectives one by one, I get used to do a single activity objective-wise on every Friday. This is how I do it. First, I select songs that are very simple and are well fitted for primary students.  With that I have to pay my attention to the tune and timing. When the activity starts, I ask them to listen carefully and then to follow me up. When they speak it out what they just listened to, I start singing the song.  In instances where I can impress the meaning, I demonstrate it while singing.  I repeat the activity twice. I ask them to listen carefully to understand the tune. First, I sing with them and next let them to sing alone without my help. It’s very nice to hear that all students sing together with a proper understanding. Before starting the group activity, they knew nothing about the song but when they followed the activity new songs would be added to their song list.

Below are some of the songs that I have taught to my students.

•     In and out the dusky bluebells 
•     Hello ,hello, hello
•     Lavender’s blue
•     Michael row the boat ashore
•     Did you ever see a Lazzy
•     Good morning, good morning
•     Peel Banana

 

Children enjoyed all these songs so enthusiastically. I practiced this activity throughout my teaching journey at Katragama, Yatiyana and Matara. All the principals and the staff admired this program and praised me a lot.

How singing songs help students in real life use in English

“The English Everyday Program” greatly strengthens students’ real life use of English by helping them to internalize vocabulary, rhythm, pronunciation through enjoyable songs. As they listen, repeat and sing independently, students gain confidence to speak English outside the classroom. This active stress free learning environment helps students to use English naturally in daily school interactions.

 

How I inspired?

While I was engaging in my remote service, I found that English isn’t among the favourite subjects of the students. Therefore I thought of singing songs to make them attractive to the subject. On the very first day they were reluctant to speak the words but gradually they tried to follow me. They tried to recall the words, align with the tune and to do actions. At the end they sang the songs enthusiastically. Once I was doing this program at Yatiyana Kanitu Viduhala even the neighbors were impressed by the program. Now I used to practice this program at my current working place and I hope to continue further.

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