Effects of using songs in EFL classes on levels of engagement and anxiety of upper elementary school students
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tartu Ülikool
Abstract
The aim of the study was to explore, whether using songs in EFL classes influences
the engagement and anxiety levels of students in any positive or negative way. For this
purpose, three research questions were posed. Firstly, what are the benefits of using songs
in the EFL class? Secondly, what are the levels of engagement and anxiety in the research
group prior to the use of songs? And lastly, did levels of engagement and anxiety in the
group change during the use of songs in lessons? The hypothesis of this study was that
songs have a positive effect on student engagement as well as anxiety.
The introduction of this thesis gives an overview of the benefits of using songs in
foreign language lessons. Possible obstacles that teachers may face in trying to incorporate
songs into their classes are also outlined. The introduction is concluded with a thesis
review section.
The first chapter explains the essence and importance of classroom engagement, as
well as anxiety and one of its types – foreign language anxiety. Positive effects of songs on
engagement as well as anxiety are also explained.
The second chapter details the research that was carried out with a group of 15 sixth
grade students. These students had never learned English with the help of songs before.
Prior to implementing songs in six out of twelve lessons, the group was observed for over a
week. In addition to that, an interview with their regular teacher was carried out and
questionnaires were distributed and collected. After the end of the teaching period, four
students were interviewed. The results section reports relevant data that was collected
during the research period. In the discussion part, literature from the theoretical section of
the thesis is tied together with data collected during the research period. This is done,
keeping in mind the aforementioned research questions.
The second chapter is followed by the conclusion. In the conclusion, the most
relevant points concerning the benefits of songs in EFL classes, engagement and anxiety
are summarized once more, alongside the results of the research.
Description
Keywords
laulud, inglise keel, võõrkeel, ärevus, kvalitatiivne analüüs