What is Lyricstraining?
Some language teachers believe that students can improve foreign language greatly from listening to foreign language songs. Lyricstraining is a wonderful and easy website for English learners to learn from popular English songs. Just fill in the gaps in the lyrics of each song when you are listening to it! There are other language versions as well, such as German, Spanish, etc.
When you enter in the homepage, you may notice that there are search button on the top, random chosen song in big screen, and sign in request on the right. Signing in can record your score at the end of each practice and give permission to leave messages under the song.
Choose or search a song you like, and be aware of the difficulty level. Each song also has 3 levels to users. When songs begin, you can see dots, which you need to fill in. If you can’t type in time, the song would stop and wait until you get it right. There are also useful tips for all functions, such as reply line, skip word, etc. Finally, you would get a score according to the numbers of words you correct and time length. Top scores of this song shows in the right.
Relevance to Language Teaching and Learning
Lyricstraining is a very practical website to improve language learners’ listening in foreign songs. It can improve learner autonomy as well, for the website is usually operated by learners themselves. By popular music and videos, students are greatly motivated. Most of the time, English songs can only be extensive listening materials, except memorizing the whole lyrics; however, filling in gaps makes lyrics the intensive listening. Moreover, it increases learners’ vocabulary (especially oral English, abbreviation, and slang) and spelling correction.
Possible Usages in/outside Class
1. According to its form, I think, it would be better for teachers to give homework to students, and ask them to finish certain songs related to the content of lesson themselves. Alternatively, teachers can demonstrate the function of this website and practice learner autonomy of students.
2. If in class, I think a possible way is that, the teacher gives the topic of popular songs (or similar topics) for a speaking task. After the discussion, the teacher can guide students deliberately to select some famous songs or singers that almost everyone knows. Open the website, and ask volunteered students to fill in gaps. It would motivate students more if they are formed into groups to answer and compare to other groups. In this way, they may also love listening to English songs and Lyricstraining website.
3. The teacher may also ask students to sing the songs they have learnt at home and perform it as warm-up activity of class.
Limitations
1. The website can only improve listening, vocabulary and a little speaking skills. Teachers need more aids to add integrated skill elements into class. Music is always an enthusiastic speaking topic for students.
2. According to its content, it is more suitable to teenage learners or young adult learners in my context. Children and middle-aged adult learner may be not interested in lyrics of popular songs. To attract young learners like children, more children’s songs from cartoon series, and so on can be added in the website. Parents can help to type and children would only shout out, spell and learn the song.
3. Although it has different levels for various users, I still think beginners to learn English as foreign language may find it is difficult for them to listen clearly when English appears in songs even the easiest level.
Overall, it is really an excellent website for English learners, especially those who love popular music as well!
