ISL WEEK 1

PAIRWORK
Define what is literature.
Literature is meant as the collection of written and spoken artwork through different time and
cultures.
Justify why we read it.
-

To instil and inculcate the reading habit.

To enrich our vocabulary and language content.
To enhance our thinking skills.
To improve our English language proficiency.

Can you list down the purposes of using songs and poetry in the Malaysian primary
school?
Listening
Songs and poems can also help to improve listening skills because provide

students with practice listening to different forms of intonation and rhythm.

English has a stress-timed rhythm, for which songs and poems can help to

establish a feeling.
Speaking
Children are often keen to learn how to make new sounds and this can take a

great deal of practice.

Some teachers use minimal-pair drills, yet this type of activities are rarely

interesting for young learners.

Songs and poems on the other hand, can allow young learners to practice

with a new sound without producing the same level of boredom.

Songs and poems also have a natural rhythm with a recurring bit that is

similar to the stress patterns of spoken English.

Vocabulary
Songs and poems can provide the opportunity for vocabulary practice.
They are usually based around a theme or topic that can provide the context

for vocabulary learning.

The songs Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, for example, could be used to
reveal body parts, or the song I Can Sing a Rainbow might be useful for

reviewing colour names.

Most childrens songs are characterized by monosyllabic words, many of

which are frequently repeated.

This repetition offers greater exposure to these words and can help to

improve vocabulary acquisition.

Same goes to poem. It also based on a theme or topic, therefore by learning
poem, students can learn vocabulary.

If they are making one, they can understand more about the new

vocabularies that they have learned.

Sentence structure and sentence patterns
Many childrens songs and poems have a simple structure or sentence

pattern that can become set in the mind of the learner.

Songs and poems could be used to reinforce questions taught in the

classroom.
Culture
Using songs and poems can also give learners the opportunity to acquire a
better understanding of the culture of the target language.
Enjoyment
Using songs and poems in the young learner classroom are enjoyable.
More children enjoy singing and usually respond well to the using songs in
the classroom, but there are more significant benefits to using songs other

than just being fun.

First, songs can bring variety to the everyday classroom routine. This variety
stimulates interest and attention, which can help maintain classroom

motivation, thereby helping learners to reach higher levels of achievement.

Secondly, songs, in particular choral singing, can help to create a relaxed and
informal

atmosphere

that

makes

the

classroom

non-threatening

environment.
By reducing anxiety, songs can help increase students interest and motivate

them to learn the target language.

Students often think of songs as entertainment rather than study and

therefore find learning English through songs fun and enjoyable.

On the other hand, poem can help students to express themselves.

ISL WEEK 2
GROUPWORK
Why do you think teachers like to use songs and poetry in their teaching?
Give some reasons for using songs and poetry in your teaching.

Music is highly memorable and motivating.

Ideal tools to be used in the language classroom.
To develop all skills in an integrated way.
To introduce, reinforce and recycle structures and vocabulary.
To improve pronunciation, stress, rhythm and intonation.
To present new language in a new rich and imaginative context.
Useful to practice writing.
To encourage physical involvement.
To contribute to the learning of the cultural component of the language.
To contribute to the development of a positive attitude towards the language learning.
To help to develop a positive relation between teachers and students.
As a practice of pronunciation, intonation and stress.
A nice way to introduce, practice, and review vocabulary.
A way of developing of language skills.
To enrich the knowledge of cultural features.

INDIVIDUAL
Create a poem.
You may use any form of poetry.
Limerick:

There is a short tree

With leaves of three
The birds nests are not here
Yet hens are clucking everywhere
But the irresponsible humans are living free.

ISL WEEK 4
GROUP WORK
Discuss:
How do songs and poetry help:

I.

To develop intra and inter personal development?

Intrapersonal development is the growth within yourselves that is having an understanding of

yourself of knowing who you are and what you can do. Intrapersonal development can be
enhanced by using songs and poetry which will inspire the students to develop and believe
in their abilities.
Interpersonal development is where students will have to learn on to work with others by
building a positive social relationship and learning how to work as a team as well as the
ability to understand other people. Teachers shall ask the students to act out or role play as
they sing a song. By this, they will learn to communicate, respect, to socialise with their
friends as well as to help each other.

II.

III.

To develop students linguistic / language learning potential?

It helps the children to improve their listening and sound discrimination skills.
It will also help them to be better students and better people in the future.
As an activity to enrich their vocabulary, grammar and accent.
Provides a fun and an interesting way to learn the language structure and grammar.
A good way to introduce, practice and review vocabulary.
To develop students aesthetic values?

It is defined as the study of emotions and the mind in relation to their sense of beauty in
literature. This study is more concerned with the appreciation and criticism of what is
considered beautiful and ugly.

IV.

To develop students cultural considerations?

Cultural values
Learn to respect and not to condemn others culture.

Find 2 songs and poetry that could help to enhance students interpersonal skills
development.
Songs:
1. The family song
2. The friendship song

Poetry:
1. Ations - by Shel Silverstein
2. My Friend
Suggest some activities that could be conducted to develop students interpersonal
skills.
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Group work of creating a own poem

Debate