PPLI Spotlight on Schools Using Music and Rhythm in the MFL Classroom - Flipbook - Page 4
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Using Music and Rhythm in the MFL Classroom
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● This approach is low-cost and accessible; it requires no specialist musical ability from the teacher.
● Activities can be adapted for diferent year groups, from beginners to exam classes.
● Recordings of student songs were shared as revision resources, reinforcing peer-to-peer learning.
● The project has the potential to extend beyond French, as music and rhythm can be applied equally well in
Spanish, German, Irish, or any language taught in schools.
In addition to nursery rhymes and adapted melodies, modern French pop songs were also incorporated to develop
pronunciation and listening skills. Songs such as Le sens de la vie by Tal proved particularly efective because of their
clear diction, repetition of key phrases, and emotional energy, which motivated students to sing along. I also drew
on popular YouTube creators such as Sara9h, who covers international chart hits in French. Because students were
already familiar with the English versions, they could focus on how French pronunciation difers noticing features
such as nasal vowels, silent onal consonants, and liaison. By singing along with contemporary tracks, learners
practised authentic rhythm and intonation patterns, moving beyond classroom vocabulary to the natural now of
the language. This not only enhanced pronunciation but also bridged the gap between classroom French and reallife cultural experience, showing students that French is a living, dynamic language.
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