Jody wrote in 2009:
I also teach songs. Duh– (especially with my little ones), but NOT because I actually believe it increases language acquisition very much. That is pretty easy to prove. Stuff from songs very rarely shows up in spontaneous speech–my litmus test.
Why do I teach songs (and I do in all of my classes):
I do it because I like it. I’m a singer and musician. It is my passion.
I do it because I believe it gives kids a window into culture.
I do it because it creates a classroom community (we’re all doing something together).
I do it because it is a rest and respite from the intensity of stories.
I cannot not defend it as a great language acquisition strategy, however. The evidence isn’t there for me. Yes, they enjoy it (most of them) which could mean they will relate more positively to the language itself (no proof here either).
I know how long it actually takes to acquire language; I look at the paltry number of hours actually alloted to the task in our schools; I look at the exceedingly high and unrealistic expectations for acquisition levels after that paltry number of hours; and I know my own propensity for wasting time. I want to use that time to its best advantage. Personalized Comprehensible Narrative works better in my opinion.
I will still teach songs, but with little illusion for great language acquisition and much illusion for the supreme enjoyment of the beautiful sound of music and language together. Can’t wait for the evidence proving me wrong because, of course, songs are more fun.