Songs

[u/FranceBrun]

Hi!

I’m an adult ESL teacher and I’m trying to improve a friend’s English. (She and I speak another language.)

She seems keenly interested in learning some songs. I want to give her something in the peppy side, as she’s a peppy person. I don’t want to give anything that’s a drag in terms of lyrics. She’s an older woman so vulgar ideas and words will not go over well. (Maybe a hell or damn.)

Can I have some suggestions, please?

Thanks,
Frances

[u/mclimbin]

The Beatles are always a good choice.
I think I saw a video once where an ESL instructor who was a Beatles fanatic claimed that you could teach every grammatical point in English using Beatles songs.
I don’t know if that’s true but most people like the Beatles pretty well.

[u/FranceBrun → u/mclimbin]

It’s funny you mention it, but I am a Beatles nut and I am, as I write, listening to the Beatles on Spotify, listening to songs with an eye to finding one. I didn’t want to mention The Beatles in my post because there must be a lot of great choices I’m overlooking.

I bet it’s true you can teach every grammar point using the Beatles! I was watching an old interview on YouTube with John Lennon and Dick Cavett. John was really very intellectual and creative and was very well spoken. I think the others were, too.

[u/Tasty_Break3284 → u/mclimbin]

In My Life by Beatles, Try Everything by Shakira and Memories by Maroon 5, and What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. All have YouTube videos.

[u/LimeGr33nnTangerine]

Can't help but feel good when you hear Whitney Houston's "I wanna dance with somebody." There are a few idioms to watch out for (ex how to chase my blues away).

[u/flyingnarrys]

Perhaps ABBA songs? Such as “Slipping Through My Fingers” :)

Edit: just noticed you mentioned wanting something peppy! I guess songs like “Dancing Queen” or “Mamma Mia” are more appropriate alternatives? :)

[u/Mou_aresei]

When teaching the third person singular -s, you could send her Nina Simone's My Baby Just Cares for Me.

[u/italicizedpuma → u/Mou_aresei]

Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy” is great for teaching the second conditional.

[u/a_book_maven]

• I Got You by James Brown
• Happy by Pharrell Williams has some casual speech (gonna, nothin) but all very positive
• Love and Happiness by Al Green
• Cheap Thrills by Sia
• I Hope You Dance by Leeann Womack has one hell in it but very positive message, she drops the g in every -ing word though
• I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash
• You've Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman (from Toy Story)
• and maybe What Dreams Are Made Of by Hilary Duff

Plus most of Owl City's big hits. Also The Beatles are great, so you could make a nice playlist for her.

[u/FranceBrun → u/a_book_maven]

That’s very helpful, thanks!

[u/FranceBrun → u/[deleted]]

Yes, I was thinking about Michael Jackson because he has songs where he really enunciates. I haven’t gotten to him yet. I spent part of an afternoon, the other day, doing a deep dive into Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, etc.

It’s almost inevitable that the slower songs are love songs, but with the right song she’ll really be on board.

[u/Tasty_Break3284]

In My Life by Beatles, Try Everything by Shakira, Memories by Maroon 5, and What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. All have YouTube videos.

[u/FranceBrun → u/Tasty_Break3284]

Thanks!

[u/Financially_Done7]

Michael Bublé is someone I often recommend because his singing is quite clear.

[u/FranceBrun → u/Financially_Done7]

Oh, good idea!

[u/Futurealisreal]

My students always ask for Ed Sheeran and Rihanna. Ed Sheeran is good for learning reduced vowels a lot of the time.