Using English songs to warm up students of the tenth grade in listening part

Page
CONTENTS
1. BACKGROUND
1.1. Reasons for choosing the theme.
In the context of deeper integration, English has become an essential tool not only bring success in business, education, but also in life. As English has affirmed the role and the importance of improving their quality of teaching is the most important issue. Thus the task of every teacher is to innovate teaching methods, improving the quality of teaching and learning in their respective classes schools.
Learning each of any a different language requires learners to study four skills: listening, reading, writing,speaking and use them smoothly and fluently.
Through practice at high schools in Trieu Son district in general and at particular high school in my province, especially in mountainous areas, I see that almost teachers only focus on teaching grammar and ignore the studying of English skills, which is the reason why all of the students leaving the school can’t speak and listen English or communicate with foreigners by simple statements. Because of these problems, I have been an English teacher for 8 years, I have thought about them so much and made decision to change the methods helping my students to focus on studying English skills and grammar simultaneously. 
Listening is one of the most difficult skills for all students at high school. I am teaching the 10th grade this year. Whenever I give them listening lesson on textbook, they feel bored, tired and don’t have motivation to study because they can’t hear anything and can’t do exercises. To solve this problem, I decide to warm up them in listening part by using English songs. At first,I had alot of difficulties because each unit on textbook has one listening lesson and I have to finish it within 45 minutes. There are three periods per week for English subject, which is not enough time for me to focus only listening skill and to incorporate English songs. Then I find a number of methods for positive, simple, easy to understand practical ensure science to develop thinking ability; speculation and creativity of students .I choose a warm up for the listening lesson which is a short English songs from easy to difficulty.The students like this way and they feel excited and enthusiastic with the lesson. In the process of teaching 10th grade English in the past year as well as during the school year I have studied the textbook program, instruction manuals and have related documents office, internet,discuss with experienced colleagues in professional meetings, summer training to find a way to overcome difficulties, to help them learn better, apply the knowledge learned to do the exercises as required.
Based on the collected experience by myself and the knowledge gained through the references, I wrote this little theme to contribute to improving the quality of teaching of the subject, innovative teaching methods and learning. With this small range of initiatives I boldly go into a problem “Using English songs to warm up students of the tenth grade in listening part ”
1.2. The purpose of studying. 
The use of “English songs in warm-up listening part" that I give to help students be primarily interested in learning a foreign language and reduce the maximum inhibition in studying foreign language at high school. Moreover, I wanted to stimulate learners to listen English, the active form of communication.
In addition, I want to enhance my professional work on my own, and to exchange experiences with my colleagues.
1.3. Studying scope
 For foreign language lessons in grade 10 elementary.
1.4. Methods of studying
1.4.1. Method of theoretical studies.
- Base on the documentation and innovation of high school education methods in English by the Department of Secondary Education - Ministry of Education and Training issued.
- Collect songs on the theoretical journal, the presentation on the Internet.
1.4.2. Studying Methodologies include: observation, investigation, analysis, exchange, statistics, aggregation, comparison, summarization.
1.4.3. Method specialists.
- Refer to the experience of a number of teachers who have a passion and experience in the use of modern methods in teaching subjects in English.
2. Contents of theme.
2.1. Theoretical basis of the problem:
 English, which is an international language is communicated all over the world. One-fourth of the world population speaks English. So teaching English is the most important issue in Viet Nam. Actually, We haven’t had suitable methods to teach and study English, which results all of students in Viet Nam can’t communicate in English and always of talking with foreigners. They are not confident enough to talk. Because we often focus on teaching grammar and ignore teaching the skills and vocabulary. Both teachers and students haven’t had motivation to develop the lessons. To help students have amenities of studying, the teacher should change the different methods to inspire for students. Listening, which is one of the most difficult skills to learners and teachers is easy to make students tired when studying. Therefore, before starting listening unit, I motivate them by listening a short English song. I think that an interesting English song will make them have amenities of lessons.
There are many ways to enhance the listening skill for students such as watching English films, talking with the foreigners, listening to music, listening the English tape lessons . Besides that, nowadays, there are also many kinds of books introducing the methods to improve listening skills : Tactics for listening – basic ( author- Jack C . Richards), Listen carefully (Jack C . Richards), Listen in ( David Nunan),Big Step Toeic (Kim Soyeong và Park Won)..
I chose the English songs to stimulate my students to study listening skill.
 2.2. The reality of studying listening skill before applying to the theme 
 2.2.1 To the students
English has become one of core subjects such as different subjects, but this subject is difficult, only a few students who can absord it easily. Especially,
those students in rural and moutainous areas learn English badly.
In recent years, according to program of new textbooks, new methods of teaching and learning, many students are interested in studying English, but some students ignore to study it and they don’t have inspiration in learning English. Many weaker students don't understand the knowledge, they don’t have active learning methods, learn passively, wait for the results of his friend made. In adddition, many children are afraid of speaking in class practices, afraid of saying before the class because they think it would be wrong. Some of them have not read the written proficiency, not even record the material in class, do homework .... This fact shows that this object is not a favorite subject of many students.
Some students, especially poor students, lack of sense of learning, lack of patience in learning, have not kept pace with new learning methods, they become confused with the acceptance and adoption of knowledge on practical skills. Many are unaware on this matter, do not fully understand the meaning of the subject during the international integration. Some of them learned is due to their curiosity, relaxation. Therefore, they are not really serious about learning and trying.
I also have language lessons students feel depressed, tired, hard to acquire knowledge, even for those who are students with good and excellent. Whenever I teach listening part, my students feel bored with it and they don’t like studying because they can’t hear anything and can’t do the task. They don’t know more new words and don’t focus on pronunciation, which is a reason makes them listen badly. To improve their listening lesson. Firstly, I inspire to them, stimulate them in each listening part by using the short English songs to warm them up. Secondly, I teach them from easy to difficult.
 School year 2015 – 2016 I was assigned to teach two classes 10A and 10B. Through practical investigation in the early year I obtained the following results:
Total students
Percentages of Students likes studying listening
Very much
Much
Normal
Hate/Scared
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
95
15
16%
20
22%
30
31%
30
31%
Learning capacity of students
Advanced
Proficient
Developing
Beginning
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
5
5%
15
16%
45
48%
30
31%
2.2.2 To the teachers
     Through practical projects at the time, there are a lot of teachers don’t renew their methods, change perceptions and teaching habits although they know that their students don’t like studying listening, even some teachers don’t teach listening part, only teach grammar, writing, reading, speaking.They think that their students can’t have the ability to listen. When I gave my theme, some teachers strongly supported ,but others didn’t like. They thought that it was a waste of time using this way and it made noise, which affected other classes. They want to spend more time to focus on grammar because it serves their tests.
Through the exchange and survey from my colleagues I get the results.
Total teachers
Using English songs in warm up listening part
Often
Sometimes
A little
Never
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
6
1
17%
1
17%
2
33%
2
33%
2.2.3 To the school
Facilities not really full. The outstanding teaching aids, reference books which serve lessons are limited. This is an disadvantage for teachers and students.
2.3. Solution and implementation
2.3.1  Solution: 
Before beginning each part of unit in the textbook, the teachers warm up the students by playing a game or ask some questions about things related to the lesson. To listening skill, I often warm up my students by a short English song. At first, some students don’t like because they can’t hear and can’t do the task asked by me. Gradually, I am still patient step by step ,I give them some songs from easy to difficult, which inspire them. At the end of first term they are exciting about my listening strategy. Each part of unit has to finish within 45minutes. So there are a lot of activities for it. I try my best to plan and distribute suitably for each section:
- Warm up: 10 minutes : listen the English song and do a small task. I give them the song on a sheet of paper with gap, they have to listen and fill the gap.
- Pre-listening: 7 minutes: I often supply new words and phrases relating to the listening lesson, which helps them to listen and do the task better .
- While-listening:21 minutes : I play the tape and conduct the student to listen and do the tasks.
- Post-listening:7 minutes: ask students to review the lesson or do the task, summarise the main points of the lesson and assign the homework.
2.3.2  Implementation
Within a short time in warm-up, It is difficult for me to choose the short and interesting English songs, which is suitable with their tastes and can inspire them.With the new method, I only give them a task while listening is filling the easy gap.The most important thing is to make them enhance their listening skill.There are 40 students in my class and the classroom is very large, I ask my headmaster for two good speakers and laptop to serve my teaching. I also choose the easy songs with familiar words. I hope that from my point of view, my students will like and improve listening skill.
Some methods of organizing the implementation of enhancing listening skill.
- Inspire for the students by using variety of English songs.
- Ask them to listen at home many times everyday because “ Practice makes perfect”.
- Watch English films, listen to music, talk with foreigner and listen to the tape from text book regularly, which also help them improve the listening skill.
- Ask them to remember the 10 principles of listening:
+ Stop talking.
+ Prepare yourself for listening. 
+ Put the speaker at ease
+ Remove distractions.
+ Empathise
+ Be patient
+ Avoid personal prejudice
+ Listen to the tone
+ Listen for ideas – not just for words
+ wait and watch for non-verbal communications.
I give my students each song sheet with 10 or 15 blanks in in every listening part of the textbook 10 and let them listen twice. Each song included From 3 to 4 minutes. While listening they have to fill the words into the gaps. After that I will give them keys to check. It was a new way to study with students in my school and in a year implementation, I realise that my students are interested in listening.
Within a short time I only give some songs as example, which I use them to warm up my students in listening part. 
Going into detail each Unit as follows:
Unit 1: Part C: Listening - TextBook 10
I.Warm- up: 10 minutes.
Name:_____________________	Date:___	
Song: Somewhere Only We Know - Lily Allen
Time: 3 minutes 45 seconds
I walked across an 1 land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand.
I felt the 2 beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it 3 me 
complete
Oh simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting tired and I need 4 to rely on
I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been 5..of?
Oh simple thing, where have you 
gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
And if you have a 6. why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we
know?
This could be the end of everything,
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know
Somewhere only we 7
Oh simple thing, where have you
gone?
I'm getting old and I 8 someone 
to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need .9 to begin
And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
'Cause this could be the end of ..10..
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know?
KEYS: 1. empty	4.someone	7. know	10. everything
 2. earth	5.dreaming	8. need
3. made	6.minutes	9. somewhere
Unit 2: Part C: Listening - TextBook 10
I.Warm- up: 10 minutes.
Name:_____________________	Date:___
Song: Santa Baby- Taylor Swift,Yusuke.
Time: 3 minutes 20 seconds.
Santa baby, slip a sable under the
tree, for me
I've been an awful ..1.. girl, santa 
baby
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa baby, a '54 convertible, too, 
2 blue
Well I'll wait up for you, dear, santa baby
So hurry down the chimney tonight, yeah
Think of all the 3.. I've missed
Think of all the boys I haven't kissed
Next year I could be just as good
If you 4 off my Christmas list
Santa baby, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot
I've been an angel all year, santa baby
So hurry down the 5 tonight
Santa, honey, there's one more thing I really do need, the deed
To a platinum mine, santa .6
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some 7 bought at 
Tiffany’s
I really do believe in you
Let's see if you 8 in me
Santa baby, 9 to mention one little thing a ring
And I don't ..10 on the phone, santa bab
KEYS: 1.good	2.light	3.fun	 4.check	5.chimney	6. honey	
7.decorections 8.believe 9. forgot 
 10. mean
 Unit 3: Part C: Listening - TextBook 10
I.Warm- up: 10 minutes.
Name:_____________________	Date:___	
Song:  I’ll Wait For You - Michael Learns To Rock
Time: 4 minutes
I know a 1... place to go nothing
to fool me my ..2..still glows raising
up to the air just..3any care yeah
I’m watching the birds that I know
4 it hurts to be loving you and
it 5 kind of blue I’m ..6to
myself trying to break the silence
I’m going 7 I had promise that
I will wait for you staring through 
the candle light that I know how
I dont 8 see your eyes
that I promise that I’ll ..9..for you
I thought that I saw you in my room but that was a playing with the..10
with my 11 on the ground I’ve been fooling around yeah I’m ..12..the birds it hurts to be ..13..you and it feels kind of blue I’m talking to..14trying to break the silence i’m going crazy I had promise that I will wait for you staring through the ..15..light
I dont longer see your eyes that I promise that I’ll wait for you the picture of you it froze and blue I’m talking to myself
trying to break the silence
I'm going crazy I had promise that I will wait for you
staring through the candle light
I dont longer see your eyes that I 
Promise that I'll wait for you 
KEYS:
1. secret	2. heart	3. without	 4. how 5. feels
6. talking	7. crazy	8. Longer	 9. wait 10. moon
11. hand	12. watching 13. loving 14. myself 15. candy
Unit 4: Part C: Listening - TextBook 10
I.Warm- up: 10 minutes.
Name:_____________________	Date:___	
Song: Let Her Go - Passenger
Time: 4 munutes 13 seconds
Well you only need the 1.. when it's burning low 
Only 2 the sun when it starts to snow 
Only know you love her when you let her go 
Only know you've been 3 when you're feeling low 
Only hate the road 4 you're 
issing home 
Only know you love her when you let her go and you let her go
Staring at the 5 of your glass 
Hoping one day you'll make a dream last 
But 6.. come slow and they go so fast 
You see her when you 7 your eyes 
Maybe one day you'll 8 why 
Everything you 9 surely dies 
( Chorus) 
Staring at the 10 in the dark 
same old empty feeling in your heart 
'Cause love comes 11 and it goes so fast 
Well you see her when you fall asleep 
But never to touch and never to keep
Cause you loved her too much and you 12 too deep 
Well you only need the light when it's burning low 
Only miss the 13 when it starts to snow 
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you've been high when you're feeling low 
Only hate the 14 when you're missing home 
Only know you love her when you let her go and you let her go
Oh oh oh no 
And you let her go 
Oh oh oh no 
Well you let her go 
'Cause you only need the light when it's burning low 
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow 
Only know you love her when you let her go 
Only know you've been high when you're feeling low 
Only 15 the road when you're missing home 
Only know you love her when you let her go
Keys:
1.Light	2.Miss	3.High	4.When
5.Bottom	6.Dreams	7.Close	8.Understand
9.Touch	10.Ceiling	11.Slow	12.Dive
13. Sun	14.Road	15.Hate
Unit 5: Part C: Listening - TextBook 10
I.Warm- up: 10 minutes.	
Name:_____________________	Date:___
Song: One Call Away – Charlie Puth.
Time: 3 minutes 13 seconds
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to..1.. the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one ..2.. away
Call me, baby, if you need a friend
I just wanna ..3.. you love
Come on, come on, come on
Reaching out to you, so take a..4..
No matter where you go
You know ..5.. not alone
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got ..6.. on me
I'm only one call away
Come along ..7.. me and don't be cared
I just wanna set you free
Come on, come on, come one
You and me can make it anywhere
For now, we can..8.. here for a 
While
'Cause you know, I just wanna see you smile
No matter ..9..you go
You know you're not alone
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
..10.. got nothing on me
I'm only one call away
And when you're ..11.. I'll be strong
I'm gonna keep holding on
Now don't you..12.., it won't be long, Darling
And when you feel like hope is gone
Just run into my ..13
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one, I'm only one call away
I'll be ..14.. to save the day
Superman ..15..nothing on me
I'm only one call away
I'm only one call away
KEYS:
1.save	6.nothing	11.weak
2. call	7.with	12.worry
3.give	8.stay	13.arms
4.chance	9.where	14.there
5.you’re	10.superman	15.got
Unit 6: Part C: Listening - TextBook 10
I.Warm- up: 10 minutes.
Name:__________ ___________	Date:___
Song: I have a dream- Westlife
Time: 4 minutes 15 seconds
I  have a dream, a..1..to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the 2.. of the fairy tale
You can take the future