Dhugal TP4

A couple nights ago I met up with Hamad at Starbucks for a tutoring session. I had planned for a listening skills activity, and used something that I have done in Spanish clases when I was younger: different songs would be played, and students would follow along on handouts of the lyrics. However, certain words and phrases would be blanked out, and students would have to listen carefully to determine what they were. The song would be repeated a few times to allow students second and third opportunities.

It’s hard to describe how engaging this activity proved to be with Hamad. I chose 3 songs: two by Cake and one by Queen (the Bohemian Rhapsody I told you about in class). Cake seemed to be a good choice, as the vocals are very clear. Even so, Hamad had to listen to certain parts of the song over and over. After each listen, I would note on the paper if the word he guessed was right or not. With harder words, I would give him hints (i.e. ‘This word rhymes with fantasy”). He actually didn’t know what rhyme meant, which was surprising to me.

The activity allows for cultural transference, especially with Bohemian Rhapsody. I told him about Freddie Mercury and opera rock, and that little ritual all people seem to share in of singing wildly along (‘I’m just  a poor boy, nobody loves me, He’s just a poor boy from a poor family!!). Hamad’s eyes lit up when he heard Mercury belting it out, and it was a true pleasure watching someone listen to this song for the first time.

I highly suggest this activity, it is excellent listening practice and fun for both student and teacher.