How do I use songs in language teaching?

We have been asked repeatedly by other teachers: Do you use songs in teaching? How do you do it? The answer is yes, but with some considerations.

Among young learners, many like to sing. Teaching songs in the target language definitely has the benefit of promoting interest in learning the language and the culture. Also when singing, language is used with music, and words are voiced with rhythms and tones. Music helps to interpret meanings and emotions expressed by the song. It is a fun way of learning the language. Nevertheless, Chinese is a tonal language. Often the tones of words in Chinese songs become unrecognizable when sung. We would not recommend teaching listening comprehension using songs. For beginning learners, we would suggest that nursery rhymes or rhythms and poems be sung or read aloud as songs. Use Chinese songs with previously learned words. Do some pre-singing activities, such as explaining the emotions or ideas in the song, or learn the words before singing to achieve better results.