ESL Classics - songs for learning English

Make learning English a more joyful experience by using classical music.

"Whenever I recall the story of my life, it is with music."
Lord Tennyson
(1809-1892)

Nothing is better than telling a story. It puts words in context and gives them emotion. When you add pictures and music, it is a winning combination.

Classical music, in particular is ideally suited to the classroom. Many students are familiar with the tunes. Through exposure to classical music in movies, advertisements and cellphone ring tones, classical music is no longer the domain of a select group of people. Moreover, classical music helps memory retention.

ESL Classics and More ESL Classics are songbooks that combine story-telling, grammar and classical music. Each unit focuses on a specific theme. Listen to each song and complete a variety of exercises. These exercises focus on listening, speaking, reading and writing.

ESL-EFL-ESOL songs for learning English

A multi-level songbook combining classical music and illustrated verses

(1) Daily Activities
Imperatives, Phrasal Verbs

Ponchielli

(2) Shopping
Adjectives, Opposites

Mozart

(3) Winter Weather/Clothing
Simple Past Tense

Beethoven

(4) Preparing Dinner
Simple Present Tense

Berwald

(5) Fast Food Restaurant
Future Tense

Vivaldi

(6) Doctor's Office
Simple Present Tense

J. Strauss II

(7) Employment
Past Tense, Questions

J. S. Bach

(8) Love/Relationships
Modals, Past Perfect Tense

Beethoven

(9) Children
Future Perfect Tense

(10) School
Phrasal Verbs, Imperatives

Mozart

(11) Driving
Present Tense, Adverbs

Offenbach

(12) Travel
Present Perfect Tense, Articles

Verdi

(13) Socializing
Noun Clauses, Questions

Boccherini

(14) The Party
Conditionals, Future Tense

Mozart

(15) Banking
Phrasal Verbs, Polite Questions

Leontovych

(16) Crime/Safety
Past Tense, Irregular Verbs

Bizet

(17) Pets
Prepositions, Word Order

Rosas

(18) Neighborhood
Adjectives, Opposites

Pachelbel

Reviews

"For teachers who would like to add another practical activity to their repertoire."
Center for Adult English Language Acquisition
Washington, D.C.
August 2007
www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/ccaug07.html

"Happy, elated, ecstatic, this is the mood that Maureen Stewart's book puts you in."
Julia Chemali, Materials Consultant
Toronto District Catholic School Board
www.tcdsb.org/adulted/pdf/2006%20MARCH.pdf

"Your students will leave the class singing."
Daniela Delmastro, President
P/H/E TESL Affiliate
www.teslontario.ca/phe/PHESpring06Newsletter.pdf

"This book and its activities are well-suited for ESL students of all ages. The songs are upbeat and enjoyable for the student and the teacher. I am sure it will be a useful tool in your resource list."
Toronto Catholic District School Board
www.tcdsb.org/esl/New.htm

"Fun and refreshing, ESL Classics will provide many hours of enjoyable learning. Teachers will enjoy selecting from the well-prepared variety of activities in the book's extensive repertoire."
Ellen Pilon, TESL Nova Scotia newsletter
Fall 2006
www.teslns.ca/newsletter/NewsletterNOV06.pdf

"Toronto ESL teacher Maureen Stewart writes lyrics and sets them to classical music to teach university graduates from non-English-speaking countries about language, pronunciation and everyday life in Canada."
The Globe and Mail Newspaper
December 2007

www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071203.wcensusesl1203/BNStory/census2006/home