Using Music and Songs to Enhance L2 Vocabulary in Kindergarten School

Authors

  • Alvita Rahma Marta Kusuma Sebelas Maret University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26486/jele.v6i2.1024

Keywords:

Songs in L2 classroom, vocabulary learning, kindergarten

Abstract

The use of songs as a media for learning has long been favored by both teachers and students in kindergarten. However, whether using songs as a learning media will be effective for improving students’ vocabulary both in depth and breadth as well as improving their foreign language skills still needs further investigations. This study aims to determine and investigate whether songs can help children improve and develop vocabulary and their foreign languages. This research was taken by means of a test conducted on children in kindergarten. Several pre-test and test will be conducted to measure the child's ability to master L2. Songs can make student or children pay attention to the material. In this study, I will use two songs. After listening to the songs, the student will write the words that they listened and then check the words that they were familiar or not. The group participating in the study was 20 children in kindergarten aged 5-6 years, who have used songs as learning media. In this study, the students speak with their mother language and English is learned as a foreign language. The ability of children in L2 can be measured through tests that are tested on children. Some pre-test and test conducted are proven to be able to measure a child's ability to memorize vocabulary in L2. However, several obstacles may be found in this research. As expected with the research conducted, can make children learn and build interest in learning a foreign language and memorizing or even mastering a foreign language.

References

Coyle, Y., & Gómez Gracia, R. (2014). Using Songs to Enhance L2 Vocabulary Acquisition in Preschool Children. ELT Journal 68(3), 276–285. doi:10.1093/elt/ccu015

Beck, I., & McKeown, M. (2007). Increasing young low-income children’s oral vocabulary

repertories through rich and focused instruction. The Elementary School Journal, 107(3), 251–271.

Carey, S., & Bartlett, E. J. (1978). Acquiring a single new word. Papers and Reports on Child

Language, 15, 17-29

Chou, M. (2014). Assessing English vocabulary and enhancing young English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ motivation through games, songs, and stories. Education 3-13: International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education, 42(3), 284-297

Gan Linda, Chong Sylvia (1998). The Rhythm of Language: Fostering Oral And Listening Skills in Singapore Pre-School Children Through an Integrated Music and Language Arts Program. Volume 144.

Engh Dwayne (2013). Why Use Music in English Language Learning? A Survey of The literature. Canadian of Science and Education, Volume 6 No. 2, DOI:10.5539/elt.v6n2p113.

Davis Glenn. M. Fan Wenfang (2016). English Vocabulary Acquisition Through Songs in Chinese Kindergarten Student. Chinese Journal of Applied Linguistics. Volume 39 No. 1. DOI 10.1515/cjal-2016-0004.

Pavia Niousha, Webb Stuart, Faez Farahnaz (2019). INCIDENTAL VOCABULARY LEARNING THROUGH LISTENING TO SONGS. Page 1 of 24. doi:10.1017/S0272263119000020.

Chang Anna C-S (2019). EFFECTS OF NARROW READING AND LISTENING ON L2 VOCABULARY LEARNING. Page 1 of 26. Doi:10.1017/S0272263119000032.

Sara Albaladejo Albaladejo, Yvette Coyle, Julio Roca de Larios, Songs, Stories, and Vocabulary Acquisition in Preschool Learners of English as a Foreign Language, System (2018), doi: 10.1016/j.system.2018.05.002

Lappi, M. (2009). Musical experiences in learning English as a foreign language. (Pro Gradu Thesis). University of Jyväskylä, Department of Languages. Retrieved November 14, 2012 from: http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-200911164411.

Apsari, Y. (2012). Teaching English vocabulary through songs. Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. Retrieved November 18, 2012, from: http://repository.upi.edu/operator/upload/abs_2012_yanuarti_teachingenglishvocabularythroughsongs.pdf

Ara, S. (2009). Use of songs, rhymes and games in teaching English. The Dhaka University Journal of Linguistics, 2(3), 161-172. doi:10.3329/dujl.v2i3.4150

Published

2021-06-30

Issue

Section

(JELE) Journal Of English Language and Education