The initiative of teaching english through english chants and songs for 3rd grade pupils

THANH HOA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING THUONG XUAN DIVISION OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING EXPERIENCE INITIATIVE “THE INITIATIVE OF TEACHING ENGLISH THROUGH ENGLISH CHANTS AND SONGS FOR 3RD-GRADE PUPILS” The writer: Vi Thi Huong Position: Teacher School: Van Xuan Primary School Experience aviable : English THUONG XUAN, 2021 STT 10 11 12 13 14 15 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1.1 The reason for choosing the research 1.2 The aim of the research 1.3 The object of theresearch 1.4 The methods of the research Content 2.1.Theoretical background 2.2 The current situations 2.3 Solution 2.4 The result Conclusion and suggestions 3.1 Conclusion 3.2 Suggestions Study materials: List of the topics evaluated by the nitiative assessment councils PAGE 1 2 2 13 14 14 15 16 17 1 Introduction 1.1 The reason for choosing the research We are living in the century of modern civilization, information technology’s era, knowledge and intelligence And in this era, foreign language was one of the most necessary issues Foreign languages help us integrate internationally and develop our country Nowadays, one of the most popular languages is English English can be considered as a global language It is an essential key that helps us improve our knowledge and travel everywhere in the world In our country, nowadays English has been popularized in schools from primary school to high school And tendency of primary education is fulfilling comprehensive educational goals for pupils Improving English training method is also an issue of that tendency It contributes significantly to the development of intelligence, competence, and understanding of pupils So learning English in Primary school is also very important However, in general the pupils at the primary school and in particular the pupils at Van Xuan Primary School are still facing many difficulties due to their age ranges Therefore, their English memory is still limited such as there is no high concentration when they memorize English words and sentence patterns For 3rd-grade pupils, they are just beginning to get familiar with the formation of sentence patterns It is very difficult for them to approach English learning effectively In English, the usage of sentence patterns for communication is very important To be able to speak a complete sentence, pupils need to remember words and sentence patterns Therefore, through the books of the revised English program for 3rd-grade pupils and my private teaching experience, I realized that a method for them to remember English words and sentence patterns effectively This is the “Application of English words and phrases of chants and songs to learn English” This method not only create excitement of learning English but also helps them remember and practice the English words and sentence patterns that they have learned And the following is my experience of the topic " The initiative of teaching English through English chants and songs for 3rd-grade pupils " at Van Xuan Primary School 1.2 The aim of the research By the success of the researched topic, this initiative will help teachers gain the following significant experience: - Researching the actual situation of teaching primary school pupils’ language 2 - Helping primary school pupils approach effective learning language method, create excitement of learning English for them - Finding out the weaknesses and strengths of pupils’ learning methods and of teachers’ training methods Since then proposing the methods to improve the primary school’s foreign language quality 1.3 The object of the research The 3rd-grade pupils, namely 3C and 3D at Van Xuan Primary school, Van Xuan Village, Thuong Xuan district The main materials are the popular English chants and songs 1.4 The methods of the research In this topic, the following research methods were used: 1.4.1 Theoretical research method Reading the internet available books and references that were related to the usage of English words and phrases of chants and songs to teach English 1.4.2 Observation and Investigation method Performing the research topics efficiently, the following methods have been implemented: The actual situation of teaching English methods, learning English methods of the Third-grade pupils and paying attention to the subject interest of the pupils were investigated Interviewing, observing and evaluating other English classroom teacher’ lesson quality Participating in discussions with the school English professional team and the school administrators 1.4.3 Experimental training methods Teaching English chants and songs that were related to our lesson content 1.4.4 Summarized and experienced methods Evaluating the lesson content quality and the pupils’ actual situation after each lesson Continuing to improve the method contents’ quality accordingly in the following lessons After each stage of the training process, comparing and summarizing the ability of all pupils and the all lesson’s quantity and quality Since then, gaining the valuable experiences and finding suitable methods to develop pupils' abilities 3 Content 2.1 Theoretical background For any school subject, making pupils be interest in the lesson content is the one of most important thing This not only helps them understand the lesson contents faster, but also helps them to overcome its knowledge better So, the development of pupils’ concentration and thinking abilities is improved These reasons make all teachers must be a process of updating new knowledge, new methods, improving the lessons’ quality and accumulating experience regularly It is an important requirement and purpose of the teaching progress, especially teachers of English Learning English through the chants and songs that contain contents related to the lesson will help pupils remain the knowledge of reading, speaking and listening skills The pupils will acquire knowledge actively, gentle way and will remember it for a long time The usage of chants and songs that are related to lesson contents will help the pupils strengthen the meanings and forms of the words and to be aware of the characteristics of each sentence pattern So, the pupils will have desired achievement of learning result for each semester and each school year In addition, these chants and songs are also used for significant purposes: making pupils be excited, joyful These also make them be more convenient to learn by heart and helps illustrate lessons of English vocabularies, pronunciations, stresses, rhythms, intonations, grammar characteristics Thereby, nourishing their innocent souls, remaining their love of the foreign language beauty especially English language and forming their personality and more comprehensive skills 2.2 The current situations 2.2.1 Advantages Van Xuan Primary School was established 25 years ago, the school owed different zones Therefore, it has received a lot of attention of the Party Committee, the Department of Education and Training and the pupils’ parents The school leaders are always having the responsibity, directing timely and effectively all subjects including English With the innocent and nature personality, primary school pupils are willing to participate in the lesson activities and also easily attracted to the activities’ requirements For English language, the pupils always receive their parents’ attention in and moreover the enthusiastic responsibilty of teachers to help them in the learning process 4 Through the seminars and thematic, the English teacher stuff frequently update new knowledge and new methods, accumulate and exchange valuable experiences English language is always the attentions and supports of the school's leaders, professional team and colleagues In recent years, English exchange exams are organized to make pupils be joyful and desire the achievements of learning English 2.2.2 Disadvantages In addition to the above advantages, there are still some difficulties encountered: + Most pupils are come from the countryside and are the ethnic minority children so the investment conditions are limited which affects on the spirit of their learning; + Due to disadvantaged circumstances, the pupils’ parents have not fully understood the importance of English, so they are not really interested and not to urge the children to learn it + Due to development conditions’ limitation, approaching the new English information, English entertainment programs of the primary school pupils are not still popular So their communication ability is limited + Due to the limitation of the foreign languages’ understandable ability of the pupils’ parents, the pupils have difficulties in receiving their parents’ guides to learn English themselves at home + Improving speaking skill is still limited + Due to teaching English through English chants and songs for Thirdgrade pupils, singing is dependent on the pupils’ talent so it is difficult for the them + English for Primary pupils is not a main subject Most schools have no functional English room or not focus on investing English teaching equipment such as Keyboards, projector screen… 2.2.3 The beginning of the year’s survey results In the beginning of the school year 2019– 2020 when the initiative was not applied, the following was the result of my survey: Class Size 3C 20 Well-completed Completed Not-Completed Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent 20% 11 55% 25% 3D 20 15% 11 55% 30% Total 40 17,5% 22 55% 11 27,5% 2.3 Solution In order to help the pupils understand English in addition to teaching basic words and sentence patterns, the chants and songs of the textbook to strengthen their memory, the teachers must also provide pupils with the English advanced books, the necessary English CDs and DVs for the pupils reading requirements Teachers must have plans and methods to help pupils to approach new knowledge actively, learn it themselves and always encourage pupils to create their own In the process of teaching the first Third-edition English program, I noticed that to help pupils strengthen and remember the learned words and sentence patterns, application of chants and songs to learn English creates good effect 2.3.1 Use the “chants” to revise vocabulary Chant is simple vocabulary spoken over a background of music or rhythm Use chant to revise the words: - Eg 1: In the first Unit with two words “hello, hi” to revise them'' let’s chant'': English unit (page 10 ) ''let's chant'' Hello, I’m Mai Hello, I’m Mai Hi, Mai Hi, Mai I’m Nam I’m Nam Nice to meet you Nice to meet you Hello How are you? Hello How are you? Fine, thank you Fine, thank you And you? And you? Fine, thank you Fine, thank you + Say the line again, clapping or snapping your fingers where the language is stressed as indicated by the asterisk + Have students repeat the chant several times with clapping or snapping of fingers + By the end of this lesson puplils can revise (hi/hello,how are you? /fine thank you) - Eg 2: With some words book, school bag (Unit 8: School thingsEnglish3) Let’s chant: What’s this? What’s this? A book It’s a book What’s that? What’s that? A school bag It’s a school bag + Say the line of the chant and clap your hand + Show them how to say the chant and the action + Ask groups of students to sit and practice chanting and doing actions + Call some groups to the front of the class to chant and the actions - Eg 3: Unit – English with some words such as: book, pen, robot, notebook We ask students to chant: Unit – English (page 56) ''let's chant'' Look! Look! Look! These are books They’re my books Look! Look! Look! Those are robots They’re my robots 8 Look! Look! Look! These are pens They’re my pens Look! Look! Look! Those are notebooks They’re my notebooks + Ask students to read the chant in silence Read each line of the chant and show students how to say the chant and the actions + Play the recording for students to Get students to sit face to face and practise and chanting and doing the actions 3.2 Use “song” to revise vocabulary Songs has verses and a chorus Teacher used songs in English class to bring a relaxation for students and remember words which student learned - Eg 1: In English – Unit With some words one to ten in “Let’s count from one to ten” song English – Unit 4(page27)'' let's sing'' One, two, three, four, five, jump Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, jump One, two, three, four, five, jump Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, jump One, two, three, four, five, jump Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, jump One, two, three, four, five, jump Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, jump 9 + Sing each line of the song and check comprehension Then get the students repeat each line of the song + Have groups of students practise singing and doing the actions The whole class claps the tune +By the end of this lesson puplils can revise (count from one to ten) - Eg 2: Some phrases “classroom instruction” such as: come in, sit down, open your book… (Unit – English 3) We sing a song “come in and sit down” Hello, hello, Miss Minh Hien May I come in and sit down? Hello, hello Yes, you can Come in, sit down and study Open your book and read aloud: A C B D E F G! + Have students choral and individual repetition of each line Show them how to sing and the actions + Revise some phrases come in, sit down, open your book… in song + Have the whole class sing the song to reinforce learning 3.3 Use “chant” to revise model sentence Chant help students the pronunciation, check comprehension Help students feel confident We can use chant to revise model sentences which they have learned: Eg1: Model sentence: “What’s your name? – My name’s…” Ask students to practise asking and answering the question Let’s chant: 10 – English 3(page 16)'' let's chant'' What’s your name? Nice to meet you What’s your name? Nice to meet you What’s your name? Nice to meet you My name’s Mai My name’s Linda My name’ Peter + Tell Students say the chant and check comprehension Show students how to chant and the actions + Get students stand up and read chants and the actions The rest of the class claps along to the rthythm +By the end of this lesson puplils can revise : “What’s your name? – My name’s…” - Eg 2: With the model sentences : “Is there a garden? – Yes, there is./No, there isn’t” Let’s chant in Unit 12 – English Is there a garden behind the house? Is there a yard behind the house? Is there a gate behind the house? Is there a pond behind the house? Yes, there is Yes, there is Yes, there is Yes, there is No, there isn’t No, there isn’t No, there isn’t No, there isn’t + Have students to read the chant Check comprehension Then ask them to practise chanting and doing the actions + Revise the model sentences “Is there a….?” and answer “Yes, there is/ No, there isn’t” + Have class read chant and actions: one group chants the questions and the others chant the answers - Eg 3: In English - Unit 16: Do you have any pets? With the model sentence: “Do you have any pets? – Yes, I do/ No, I don’t” Let’s chant: Do you have any cats? Do you have any cats? Yes, I Yes, I Do you have any dogs? Yes, I Yes, I Do you have any birds? Yes, I Yes, I Do you have any rabbits? No, I don’t have any Do you have any parrots? No, I don’t have any Do you have any goldfish? No, I don’t have any + Help students remember the model sentences : “Do you have any….?” With answer: Yes, I do/ No, I don’t 11 + Tell students to read the chant in silence Read each line and check comprehension + Get students to read each line, show students how to say the chant while doing the actions + Ask group of students to practise chanting and doing the actions Then call some groups to the front of the class to chant and the actions: One group chants the questions and the others chant the answer The rest of the class claps along to the rhythm - Eg 4: With the model sentences: “What are you doing? – I’m reading.” We introduce the text in the bubbles and ask students to practise the model sentences In conclusion we revised ''let’s chant'': What are you doing? What are you doing? I’m drawing I’m drawing What is she doing? She’s singing.She’s singing What is he doing? He’s reading He’s reading What are they doing? They’re dancing They’re dancing + Have students read the chant, read each line and check comprehension, have students repeat each line of the chant When they get familiar with the rhythm, show students how to say the chant while doing the actions + Divide the class in to two groups to say the chant: one group chants the questions and the other chant the answers The two groups swap their roles after the first round 3.4 Use “song” to revise the model sentences 12 We use songs to teach pronunciation and intonation, to teach reading comprehension or listening for details and gist In grade we can use songs to revise model sentences which we have learnt - Eg 1: with the model sentence; “She/ he has a…” we sing a song: English – Unit 15 (page 33) let's sing Linda has a little doll Linda has a little doll, Little doll, little doll Linda has a little doll Its dress is white and brown Everywhere that Linda goes, Linda goes, Linda goes Everywhere that Linda goes, That doll is sure to go + Teach the song, following the procedure, read each line of the song and check comprehension,then sing each line of the lyrics and have students repeat song When students are familiar with the tune, give a demonstration of the song and the actions + Ask students in group to practise singing and doing the actions in groups, then have the whole class sing the song - Eg 2: With the model sentences “Do you have any …? – Yes, I do/ No, I don’t” Give some pictures and elicit what the characters are saying Then have 13 students practise asking and answering questions In conclusion, we revise the model sentences by singing a song: “Do you have any pets?” Do you have any pets? Yes, I I have a rabbit and its name is Boo Do you have any pets? Yes, I I have a goldfish and its name is Blue Do you have any pets? Yes, I I have a parrot and its name is Sue I have a rabbit He has a goldfish She has a parrot What about you? I have a rabbit He has a goldfish She has a parrot What about you? + Have students to sing the song all the way through, then read each line of the song and check comprehension, sing each line of the song and have students repeat it When students are familiar with the tune, show them how to sing the song while doing the actions + Ask students to practise singing and doing the actions +Have some groups to stand in front of the class to sing the song +After that have whole class sing a clap the song to reinforce learning - Eg 3: In English – Unit 14 we have revised “on/under….” The teacher asks students to practise the model sentences about" the poster and the under", Get students look at the picture and work in pairs and sing: " the poster and the under" The poster's on the wall The poster's on the wall E-I- E-I-O The poster's on the wall The ball's under the bed The ball's under the bed E- I–E–I-O The ball under the bed + Have students sing a song, check comprehension, play the recording all the way through, play each line of the lyrics and have students repeat the song When students are familiar with the tune, show them how to sing the song and the actions + Call some groups in front of the class to sing the song: one group sings the questions another sings the answers and the rest of the class claps along to the song 2.4 The result 14 By application of English words and phrases of chants and songs to learn English, the training process really effected on 3rd-grade pupils positively They have become excited about learning it After appling this method for almost a year, the pupils’and communication ability have been improved clearly They can learn it themselves actively such as practicing the speaking skill together, singing the start of a song before entering the lesson and especially pupils were able to remember the songs’ words In May, 2020 after almost a year of this initiative, the following is the remarkable results have been achieved: Class Size 3C 3D Total 20 20 40 Well-completed Completed Not-Completed Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent 40% 12 60% 0% 35% 13 65% 0% 15 37,5% 25 62,5% 0% Thus, with the organization of strengthening the lessons’ knowledge by the method of English chants and songs’ application, the above remarkable results were achieved expectedly: the rates of completed pupils and wellcompleted pupils have increased, no longer not-completed pupils Moreover: - The English lessons have become more interesting - The pupils remembered words and sentence patterns at the class and especially, they could practise these patterns fluently - This initiative made the pupils be interested in English chants and songs Therefore, they could sing them everywhere - Many of pupils could perform English songs themselves By the teachers’ enthusiastic, creative and skillful guides, almost pupils enjoy studying English and approach it actively and self-enlightened Conclusion and suggestions 3.1 The conclusion Through the teaching process, I accumulated some following valuable experiences: - Have students practice chanting and singing in a limited time,from their time day by day - Encourage weak pupils to participate in activities sociably - Instructing pupils to practise the learned lesson contents actively at home and prepare for a new lesson carefully and self-enlightened 3.2 Suggestions 15 + Develop funtional rooms available loudspeakers,projector for teaching and learning English + Provide more texbook ,reference books for the library because students the mountainous area have few opportunities to get access to new books + Invest, fund and award more for English club + Organizing meetings with parents to impotant their awareness of the importance of English and achieve good coopriation between school and students' family + Creating favorable condition for the teachers to get students involved in the informmatics class,help teacher get access to infomation technology to conduct better teaching + The Department of Education and Training should regularly hold professional seminars for English teachers around Thuong Xuan district It is the best way helps the teachers of English can exchange and learn and accumulate valuable knowledge and experiences in the teaching process The above are my summary of the important methods and the chants and songs’ samples for Grade students that I would therefore recommend I would be honore if I receive the positive comments of teachers that let me accumulate experience and cultivate more expertise in the teaching process Thuong Xuan, March 05, 2021 THE CONFIRMATION OF I assure this is my experience THE HEADMASTER initiative not copying the contents of other people Writer Vi Thi Huong Study materials: 16 - For the implementation of experience, I refer to a lot of material as is English textbook grade (Ministry of Education and Training); The authors: Hoang Van Van, Phan Ha, Do Thi Ngoc Hien, Dao Ngoc Loc,Truong Thi Ngoc Minh, Nguyen Quoc Tuan The publisher: Education Publisher Refer to methods of teaching chants and songs on the web 17 LIST OF THE TOPICS EVALUATED BY THE INITIATIVE ASSESSMENT COUNCILS Author: Vi Thi Huong Position: Teacher School: Van Xuan Primary School No Assessment council Some skills to teach English Thuong Xuan Division of vocabulary for grade students at Education and Van Xuan Primary school Training A number of measures to enhance Thuong Xuan Division of grade5 student’ litening skill at Education and Van Xuan primary School Training Topics of the initiative The level achieved School year C 2013-2014 C 2017-2018 ... initiative of teaching English through English chants and songs for 3rd- grade pupils " at Van Xuan Primary School 1.2 The aim of the research By the success of the researched topic, this initiative. .. help the pupils strengthen the meanings and forms of the words and to be aware of the characteristics of each sentence pattern So, the pupils will have desired achievement of learning result for. .. help the pupils understand English in addition to teaching basic words and sentence patterns, the chants and songs of the textbook to strengthen their memory, the teachers must also provide pupils