Learning language on the internet
Personally, I like to challenge
myself to improve my language skills via Netflix, YouTube, and audio books. These are all great resources to develop
listening skills, cultural awareness, and vocabulary.
For this blog, I’d like to discuss lyricstraining.com with you. I’ve used this website with my students before from intermediate to advanced. Essentially, the website has a giant catalog of popular songs that students can select from.
Then, they choose their level of difficulty.
Once the song begins playing, it will ask them to choose (basic) or type in (advanced) the correct word in a CLOZE activity with the lyrics. It will pause if they make mistakes or fall behind. They can also see the music video as they play.
Pros of this website: interactive, accommodates different skill levels, appeals to students who like music, integrated skill practice, uses popular music, vocabulary exposure, pronunciation practice, allows independent study, can compare scores among classmates.
Cons: music videos and lyrics can be inappropriate (if your students are at an age/maturity level where you need to control for that), can be overwhelming for lower level students, no resource to explain/define unfamiliar vocabulary within website, CLOZE words chosen at random.
Sara, I think that this is really effective way to improve language skills. I think that most of younger L2 learners use Netflix, Youtube, and songs as a tool. When came to the US. for first time, it took me some time to get used to different accents from what I was used to at home. Watching American shows on Netflix was the best way to listen and learn new words.
ReplyDeleteLyrics are also great for listening activities. As a tutor I have been using song lyrics during sessions and my student really likes it. We also use a worksheets with missing words and it has great outcomes!
Lucie