Teach and Enchant: Using Chants with English Language Learners

They’re jazzy. They’re catchy. And most importantly, they’re memorable. Jazz chants were developed by Carolyn Graham, an ESL expert from the American Language Institute at NYU, in order to reinforce language conventions and the proper intonation of English. Students learn lyrics quickly by connecting English's natural rhythm to a catchy jazz beat. And the lyrics stick.

Which is why we’ve added six brand-new chants to our curriculum this year. These chants, accompanied by live-action video or captivating animations, focus on essential topics for English learners, including pronouns, plurals, and multi-meaning words. Best of all, students can record the chants on their own, so they can have a fun and safe environment to practice advanced language constructions without an audience. Read on for more details or watch the online demo for a sneak peek.

After students watch their first chant, they enter the recording studio to practice the chant for themselves. With two different speeds to choose from, students can record at their own pace and then listen until they're content. Our chants cover a variety of topics, including:

Counting
This chant teaches students how to count as high as they want.

Multi-meaning words
Would you sock a sock? Can a bat bat? This chant discusses words with dual meanings.

Plurals
This chant uses magic to teach students how to make words plural.

Be verbs
These verbs can be tricky to identify, understand, and use. This chant simplifies the task by giving students an easy way to memorize and use be verbs.

Pronouns and possession
This chant sets the record straight about the difference between me and mine, he and his, and you and yours.

And more!
Preview each chant in the Imagine Learning English Activity Menu. Click Level 2, then Chants in the left menu, and let the exploring begin.