Using English Songs to Elementary School Pupils

the Effects of Words and Age

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore how to use English songs effectively in elementary school English activities. Today, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology endorses English activities in elementary school. Its practical handbook for elementary school English activity says that its purpose is to raise pupils' motivation. This study presupposes that pupils will participate in song activities more actively if they can enjoy singing songs. From this point of view, date were analyzed by comparing three ways of presenting lyrics: no words, words in hiragana, and words written in the Roman alphabet for elementary school students. The results show that with lyrics presented in any of the three ways, the lower graders and higher graders can sing songs at almost the same level. In contrast, the middle graders can sing songs best if they are given the words in hiragana, and they perform the worst without words. In addition, this study shows that the higher the pupils' grade, the more important for their enjoyment is the feeling that they can sing.