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These songs loosely follow the curriculum of English Firsthand 1
(unit topic, grammar or function). We use these song just to have students sing -- it is for fun. There are many great activities to do with songs, but we don't use them here. We just want the students to enjoy using English. I ask the students to stand up -- most learners spend too much time sitting down. These are great for warm-ups or a break during class. Especially consider them if you are teaching a required class.
If there is an ad before the song, you can usually skip it by clicking back
<--, then forward -->.
(Copyright info. at bottom of page).
If teachers have suggestions for additional or better songs -- especially more current -- for a given unit, let us know.
(unit topic, grammar or function). We use these song just to have students sing -- it is for fun. There are many great activities to do with songs, but we don't use them here. We just want the students to enjoy using English. I ask the students to stand up -- most learners spend too much time sitting down. These are great for warm-ups or a break during class. Especially consider them if you are teaching a required class.
If there is an ad before the song, you can usually skip it by clicking back
<--, then forward -->.
(Copyright info. at bottom of page).
If teachers have suggestions for additional or better songs -- especially more current -- for a given unit, let us know.
Unit 1: It's nice to meet you.
Song: Hello, Goodbye The Beatles Language point: greetings, goodbyes, interacting. |
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Unit 2: Who are they talking about?
Song: Hair Lady Gaga Language point: describing one's hair. Note: In this song, the the singer is arguing with her mom about her hairstyle. She sees it as a symbol of her identify. You might want to discuss whether or not this type of disagreement is common and/or acceptable in the students' culture(s). |
Unit 3: When do you start?
Song: When will my life begin Mandy Moore (from Tangled [Disney]) Language point: Talking about daily routine |
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Unit 4: Where does this go?
Song: Under the boardwalk The Drifters Language point: prepositions of location |
Unit 5: How do I get there?
This one is different. It is a rhythm chant (like a Jazz chant) Song: Where's the bank English Firsthand For a copy of the PowerPoint, click HERE. Language point: Giving directions, prepositions of location, OR: Count on me (Bruno Mars). Not about directions but it is about helping a friend. Note: if you you want a song to go with this unit, try this classic (Downtown by Petula Clark) |
Unit 6: What happened? Song1: “We are the champions / We will rock you.” Dolly Parton. 2024 Olympic version Song2: Used to be young. Miley Cyrus. (Note Cyrus was 30 when she recorded this. She is famous for her "wild" teenage years. Most of our students are still young. Many teachers "used to be young." How will everyone look back at things? Language point: past tense verbs. |
Summer break
Song: Summertime Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald No real teaching point: It is summer. Let's celebrate. And if we can introduce the students to jazz greats like Armstrong and Fitzgerald, all the better. OK, for people who thought I should have introduced them to the Janis Joplin version here it is. Unit 8: What's playing
Song: Do you want to build a snowman? Mandy (from Frozen [Disney]) Language point: Making suggestions, inviting |
Unit 7: I'd love that job?
Song: Taking Care of Business Bachman-Turner Overdrive Language point: Jobs and job vocabulary |
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Unit 9: Wh?
Song: We will rock you Queen Language point: WILL future |
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Unit 10: How much is this?
Song: Rich Girl Gwen Stefani Note: L.A.M.B. is Stephani's fashion brandLanguage point: Talking about money, money can't buy love. |
If it is too much trouble doing the double window (video & lyrics), just preteach these words:
hop, stomp, slide, criss-cross, freeze, reverse. Students already know most of the others. |
Unit 11: How do you like it?
Song: Cha cha slide DJ Casper Language point: imperative (command form), learning a dance This one is a little tricky. I couldn't find a video that showed the dance steps AND the lyrics. So you'll need to open two videos at the same time. Do this in different windows. Display the lyrics. You'll probably. need to make the words larger. Start the video with the dancer. Move up the lyrics to match the dancer/song |
Cha Cha Slide lyrics
(just click) |
Unit 12: Listen to the music
Song: What a wonderful world (Turn on CC Closed Captions) OR Your Choice: MusicTraining.com |
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Lyricstraining.com
Have students choose a popular song or artist they like. Choose the song and BEGINNER mode. When it asks you to open an account, click MAYBE LATER. STUDENTS will need to tell you (or have them type) the missing words.) Enjoy. |
End of the course or school year
School's out
Alice Cooper I wasn't sure if I should include this. It is a famous anti-school song. But if your students don't like school, them might enjoy it. OR So long, Farewell (Sound of Music) or Happy Trails to you (Roy Rogers/Dale Evans). |
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About copyright. Note that this page is built on links to songs on the internet. We do not own the rights to the songs. We are using existing links. The page is to help students of English practice and enjoy English. If any copyright owners object to us using these songs, let us know and we will remove them (marchelgesen(at)gmail.com). If teachers have suggestions for additional or better songs -- especially more current -- for a given unit, let us know. These songs match the syllabus of English Firsthand 1. If you want a similar page for the other books in the Firsthand series, let us now. Song suggestions are appreciated. Thanks to Ayaka Otomo, Mike Lyons and.... for their suggestions.