IMPROVING ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION
THROUGH CHILDREN SONGS
Endang Kusrini, S.Pd., M.Hum
ABSTRACT
General characteristics of children that are related to their capability and aptitude are:
1) they ask question all the time, 2) they are able to make some decisions about their
own learning, 3) they have definite views about what they like and don’t like doing,
and 4) they are able to work with others and learn from others. In learning english, it
seems difficult for them to pronounce well, when they read some vocabularies. The
following activities can be applied in the classroom, to make them happy and enjoy
the lesson. It just need a simple media, since every school has a tape recorder.
English children songs are provided in some bookstores, and the price is not so
expensive. The students will satisfy and enjoy listening to the song. The students are
able to memorize the words and their pronunciation easily, it will help students in
learning english pronunciation.
KEY WORDS: children song, pronunciation.
About the Author:
Endang Kusrini, S.Pd., M.Hum is a lecturer at the Department of English
Education, Faculty of Education and Teacher Training UMP ( Muhammadiyah
University of Purwokerto). Jl. Dukuhwaluh PO Box 202, Purwokerto. Central Java,
Indonesia. She can be reached at : endang_kusrini @yahoo.com
I. INTRODUCTION strange for them. They will ask people
Children always want to know around them, to know more
and search information about information about everything.
something, especially if those things Children are an interesting object
are new and strange for them. They to be observed. They like playing, they
will ask people around them, to know are so active, and also so cute and
more information about everything. intelligent. Sometimes, children are
The curiousity of the children is very able to work with other and they also
high. As Donalds says that children will learn from other. Childood is
actively tries to make sense of the unforgetable period. They can do
world and asks questions (2004:4). anything they want to do. Children
Children always want to know and never think that it disturbs others or
search information about something, not, and they also do not think that it
especially if those things ate new and inflicts others or not. They will play
the whole time as they want. Those some teachers insert short,
illustrations are appropriate to Scott separate bits of
and Ytlberg statement that the nature pronunciation work into
of children is love to play (1990: 2-4). lesson sequences. And the
Scoott identifies some general last alternative is integrated
characteristics of children that are phases: many teachers get
related to their capability and aptitude, students to focus on
those are: 1) they ask question all the pronunciation issues as an
time, 2) they are able to make some integrated part of lesson”.
decision about their own learning, 3) In teaching Pronunciation,
they have definite views about what teacher should decide what technique
they like and don’t like doing, and 4) or alternative way he chooses. By
they are able to work with others and deciding the alternatives he uses in
learn from others. teaching English pronunciation, he can
make an appropriate strategy based on
II. TEACHING the alternative to get a maximum
PRONUNCIATION result. It is needed an enthusiasm in
Hornby (1995:928) says that teaching English pronunciation so that
pronunciation is the way in which a both teacher and students get a good
language is spoken; the way in which a result in it. It can be done by
word is pronounced; the way a person encouraging the students that they can
speaks the words of a language. do the best. Besides that, it also can be
Pronunciation is the way a word or a done by asking the students to present
language is usually spoken; the their ability in pronouncing English
manner in which someone utters word words so that other students know that
(wikipediaorg/wiki/pronunciation). they can do it well. By doing this,
From the definitions above, we can students have a great spirit to learn
take conclusion that pronunciation is how to pronounce English words well.
the way person utters a word or a Correct pronunciation is needed
language. for a speaker to communicate. If our
The following is Jeremy pronunciation is incorrect, we will not
Harmer’s explanation in pronunciation be understood. The result will be that
teaching (2002:1883): people will think you are speaking in a
“There are three foreign language and English people
alternatives are conveyed will think you are speaking another
by Harmer. First, whole language.
lesson: making It is more important for us as
pronunciation the main language teachers to have a good
focus of lesson does not pronunciation. If we have not a good
mean that every minute of pronunciation, how can we enable our
the lesson has to be spent students to pronounce correctly? e.g. I
on pronunciation work. need some medicines for my
Second, discrete slots: cough.(cough[kof], caw[kau]). He is
not a boy who is afraid of hardship and The first step in actual classroom
death. (with or without a pause before instruction is to introduce the sound, to
"who" is quite different.) focus the students' attention on the
As a means of communication teaching point. e.g. We can teach the
by word of mouth, language is used in words eat, he, she, seat, see, etc. with
oral speech and in reading aloud. the help of learning A,B,C,D,E,
Therefore, in order to make oneself 2) Imitate the sound
easily understood while expressing The sound system is known to be
one's own or other people's thoughts in learned best through imitation of the
any language, one must be able to sound patterns, description of
pronounce words and sentences in that phonological systems and comparison
language quite correctly. and contrast of different sounds. By
Pronunciation is more important imitation, students learn a new sound
than phonetic. Stress and intonation by listening to the teacher’s modeling,
are as important as the sounds following the teacher's model and
themselves and should be taught from trying to produce the sound in the way
the very beginning. Whether the teacher do. Since most of the
pronunciation needs special attention teachers are not native speaker of
or focus in language teaching depends English, tapes or records are very
on many factors especially learner helpful for the students.
factors. Learners whose native From those principle of
language has similar sounds to English teaching pronunciation mentions in
are less likely to have problems with http://5974.71.99/2009/yyy/Jiaoan/unit
pronunciation .doc above, it is important for the
The goal of teaching teacher to create an interesting activity
Pronunciation are: 1) to pronounce in a class, such as using of children
correctly all the speech sounds of the song media. The students will satisfy
language and all the combinations in and enjoy listening to the song. The
their proper order not only isolated students are able to memorize the
words, but also in sentences, 2) to words and their pronunciation easily, it
pronounce sentences fluently at the will help students in learning english
speed required by the situation with pronunciation.
correct stresses, linking of sounds,
rhythm, pauses and intonation. Critical III. WHY ENGLISH SONG CAN
period hypothesis states that if humans HELP?
do not learn a foreign language before Songs provide examples of
a certain age, then due to changes such authentic, memorable and rhythmic
as maturation of the brain, it becomes language. They can be motivation for
impossible to learn the foreign students’ to repeatedly listen to and
language like a native speaker. imitate their musical heroes. Here, we
The presentation of teaching look at some aspects of pronunciation
pronunciation: that can be focused on through songs:
1) Introduce the sound. 1) Using songs to focus on sounds
Sounds are the smallest unit 3) Using Song to Focus on Connected
from which words are formed and can Speech
be categorised as vowels and Connected speech is the natural
consonants. The question is why are way we speak, linking together and
they difficult? As languages differ in emphasising certain words, rather than
their range of sounds, students have to each word standing alone.
learn to 'physically' produce certain Contractions (two words forming one)
sounds previously unknown to them., are an extreme example of the way we
and learners can find sounds difficult connect speech, to the extent that the
to pick out, and may not see the point written form too is affected.
in focusing on them. However, How songs can help? First,
incorrectly pronounced sounds strain Songs, and especially the chorus,
communication, sometimes even provide real and 'catchy' examples of
changing a phrase's meaning. how whole phrases are pronounced
How songs can help ? First, often to the extent that students find it
songs are authentic and easily difficult to pick out individual words.
accessible examples of spoken The music further emphasises the
English. The rhymes in songs provide 'flow' of the words. Second, songs, like
listeners with repetition of similar other spoken texts, are full of
sounds. Second, students often choose contractions. Third, students can be
to listen to songs over and over again, keen to reproduce this, in order to sing
indirectly exposing them to these the song as they hear it.
sounds. There are no 'standard' songs
2) Using Song to Focus on Words for teaching pronunciation. Any song
Words are combinations of can be an example of different
sounds which form together to give pronunciation aspects. However, we
meaning. A word is uttered in try to choose songs that are clear (use
syllables, usually one emphasised quality recordings where possible), not
syllable (the stress) and the rest weak too fast, memorable, likely to appeal to
(unstressed). our learners (possibly songs they
How songs can help? First, already know) and easy to create
words in songs fit the music, helping activities for, depending on the area of
learners associate the number of pronunciation we are focusing on.
syllables / stress in these words, with
memorable rhythms. Second, The IV. CHILDREN SONG
relaxed atmosphere songs create can Children's song may be a nursery
expose students to this difficult rhyme set to music, a song that young
pronunciation area, without their children invent and share among
realizing. Third, songs contain endless themselves, or a modern creation
examples of weak syllables, helping to intended for entertainment, use in the
convince learners of the way English is home, or education. Although
pronounced. children’s songs have been recorded
and studied in some cultures more than
others, they appear to be universal in 3) Music and rhythm it much easier
human society. to imitate and remember
Pioneers of the academic study language than words which are
of children’s culture Iona and Peter just spoken.
Opie divided children’s songs into Those statements above, clearly
those taught to children by adults, define that children song is funny. As
which when part of a traditional we see, most children like something
culture they saw as nursery rhymes, funny. They like something different,
and those that children taught to each with their interest in children song,
other, which formed part of the will make the process of teaching
independent culture of childhood. A English pronunciation easier. We
further use of the term is for songs assume that children song is good for
written for the entertainment, or improving English pronunciation of
education, of children, usually in the Elementary School students, because it
modern era. In practice none of these is something different than usual way.
categories is entirely discreet, since, In conducting this activities, the
for example, children often reuse and students will be active and
adapt nursery rhymes and many songs enthusiastic in the class. The students
now considered as traditional were will pay attention to the teaching
deliberately written by adults for learning process. In this situation, the
commercial ends. students will seem to be cheerful
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/children’s when the songs are played. They can
song. practice the songs during study in the
There are many reasons why class room, or out of the class.
children songs are good for English New song will be nice for them,
pronunciation. It has many especially if the students have ever
contributions in pronunciation heard in Indonesian edition song, such
teaching. as :
1) Children songs are funny. a) I am a captain ( Aku Seorang
They promote mimics, gestures Kapiten),
which are associated to the meaning. b) My Ballons (Balonku),
They are good to introduce c) When I Wake Up (Bangun Tidur),
suprasegmental phonetics. Children d) Lizard Lizard on The Wall (Cicak
songs can be applied to comprehension Cicak Di Dinding),
stages (listening) or production e) I Have Two Eyes (Dua Mata
(singing). There are songs for all ages Saya),
and levels. Students can learn English f) I am very Happy Everwhere
very easily through echoic memory. (Disini Senang Disana Senang),
2) Children songs also help g) My Hat is Round ( Topi Saya
children remember things more Bundar),
easily and draw children more h) The Alphabet Song,
deeply into a lesson. i) Twinkle Twinkle Litte Star,
j) Are You Sleeping, ect.
Those rhymes of the songs are 2) Teacher repeat the song in spoken
familiar enough to Indonesian form;
children. It makes them enthusiastic 3) Teacher and student repeat a song
when the songs are played. The together;
Students will not fell shy when they 4) Students listen the song from the
make some mistakes in pronouncing cassete once again;
the words of the song. They will seem 5) The last activity is the repitition of
cheerful and become more confident the song in the instrumental
because they know much about that version.
songs, when they sing the song.
Almost all children are interested V. CONCLUSION
in singing a song, but teachers should The following activities can be
be selective in choosing a song that applied by the english teacher in the
will be used in teaching pronunciation. classroom. It needs only simple media
They should choose an intersting song such as: cassette or Compact Disk of
so that the students are attracted in children songs, tape recorder or DVD
them. A song can be learnt only when Player and Television, since every
the learner understands the meaning of school almost has those kinds of
the language items in that song. The equipments. English children songs are
implementation of the children songs provided in some bookstores, and the
as follows: price is not so expensive. The students
1) The Teacher distributes the text will satisfy and enjoy listening to the
of lyrics of song to the students, song. The students are able to
or teacher can write the lyrics on memorize the words and their
the board; pronunciation easily, it will help
2) The teacher explains the students in learning english
meaning of lyrics and tell the pronunciation.
way how to pronounce it;
3) The teacher plays the music REFERENCES
about two times, let the students Cameron, Lyne, 2001. Teaching
listen to the song; English to Young Learners.
4) The teacher asks them to sing a United Kingdom: Cambridge
song three times; University press.
5) The teacher play the mucic one Children’s Song, Http// en.
again to check their Wikipedia.org.wiki/. (12 Juni
pronunciation; 2010)
6) The teacher asks them to do Developing Pronunciation, Http//
some exersices. www. Teaching
Another alternative that can be english.org.uk/think/acticles/.
done by the teacher in conducting this (10 Juni 2010)
activity are as follows: Harmer. Jeremy. 2002. The Practice of
1) The students listen the song from Languge Teaching. Malaysia:
the cassette; Pearson Education Limited.
Hornby, A.S 1995. Oxford Advance
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Britain: Oxford University
Press.
Kramer, Daniel J. Using Songs in
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Topenglisteningteaching.com
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to Children in Asia. New York.
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