Music for second language learning in a German Bilingual Program

Abstract

Music can support the teaching of second languages. Its use can facilitate the learning of linguistic skills, benefit the students affectively, provide learning about and through culture, and be used to teach content as well. However, little is known about how teachers regularly use music in their language learning classrooms. In this study, seven elementary school teachers in one German Bilingual Program were interviewed and teaching artefacts were examined. Drawing from language ecology as our theoretical framework and examining language learning as context-dependent, we considered music as a mediational means to facilitate language learning. Findings revealed how teachers used music to teach language, content, and culture as well as support classroom life. The findings of this study inform second language learning and content-based language teaching.