When I was learning French in high school, I would print off song lyrics and hang them next to my bed where I would try to sing through and memorise lyrics before sleeping. Yep - I've always been a linguaphile! Not only was listening to music fun, but it also helped with my listening skills, in creating full sentences and increased my confidence to speak with natives. Not many students would have this same practice today, so here are a few ways to encourage the use of French music in the classroom to aid the linguistic development of your students. Even the cultural appreciation of music is enriching!
How do you use music to learn or teach French? Comment below!
1. Choose a day to enjoy popular music together
Whether you sing along to the latest pop songs or try to keep in rhythm with Jacques Brel, why not choose one day per week or fortnight to engage your students in music - a musique mardi. With my more advanced students, I give them the lyrics to translate certain chunks of text or to research the artist, for example. With the lower levels, you can get them to memorise the chorus or to simply listen or dance to the music. You can get your students more involved through students choice. Give them a few options on the day by voting on a song.
Most importantly, get your students to sing! Most of my classes may be timid or embarrassed to sing when we begin the year, but after a few lessons, it becomes the norm. Why is singing music in front of others important? It's another way to reduce anxiety and fear in speaking a second language. It also helps you all bond as a class.
Need some music inspiration?
- My YouTube channel has many music playlists to choose from and are updated regularly.
- If you are connected to Facebook, join the group 'Musique Mercredi' to explore new and old music with a forum of people.
- Listen to the French radio (or other Francophone stations). NRJ is a great station to hear the latest pop hits.
- Join an international music competition! Manie Musicale is an annual tournament where students vote on their favourite songs.
2. Test out your listening and writing skills
Ever played Lyrics Training online? If not, you're missing out! We play this as a whole class, at times, or you can put students in small groups. They listen to a song and fill in the lyrics as they go in real time. This game can be particularly engaging when students already know some French songs.
3. Choose songs that connect to an area of grammar or a current theme
We all know that songs can help strengthen our memory, so when you learn a song that uses a particular grammatical feature or specific vocabulary, it can make it easier to reuse in your own speech. Remember though, the song lyric has to be deeply ingrained to be reused and recycled! Here are a few song suggestions based on grammar and theme:
La grammaire
Le passé-composé: Jo Dassin - Les Champs-Elysées
L'imparfait: Louane - On était beau
Le futur simple: France Gall - Laisse tomber les filles
Le conditionnel passé: Babylon Circus - J'aurais bien voulu
Les pronoms: Mika - Elle me dit
Changing between word class: Christophe Mae - Les gens
Les thèmes
La Francophonie: Kids United - Mama Africa
L'immigration: Corneille - Parce qu'on vient de loin
La France: Charles Trenet - Douce France
La téchnologie: Stromae - Carmen
L'environnement: Yannick Noah - Aux arbres citoyens
Pour les plus petits
4. Supplement LOTE skills with music worksheets
Working with French music can tackle all LOTE skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Here are some teachers who have already done the hard work for you.
- Kristen Phillips has created a plethora of materials based on Maître GIMS' music, 'Maîtrisez le français avec GIMS'.
- Perfecting Pedagogy has reading materials on Francophone music. All see her Instagram page for inspiration.
- Lauren Monique from Parfaitement Bilingue (@parfaitementbilingue) posts clips on her instagram account to get you listening to the latest Francophone music, all awesomely choreographed!
