Just returned from a National Sing Up conference on male singing leadership which was brilliant, quite inspirational speakers and nice as a linguist to attend something notionally unconnected with languages but with so much relevance. One of the main themes will be instantly recognisable to linguists anyway, how to interest boys in singing (languages) and do we need more male singing role models in schools?
By the end of the conference, having seen outstanding examples of male and female leaders, the feeling was that what was needed was better teachers, regardless of sex.There were also good pointers to motivation relevant to languages. Advice from singing leaders that boys need short-term goals and have to understand the purpose of what they are doing. Having some kind of performance outcome that can be quickly realised and that they can be successful at is crucial.
The familiar model of
i) presentation (kept uncomplicated and brief - just enough modeling to allow pupils to copy)
ii) practice, feedback, refinement : practice, feedback, refinement : practice, feedback, refinement :
iii) performance
iv) success : validation : motivation
is very relevant to all we do as linguists
I am going to post many more ideas on how to introduce songs effectively in MFL lessons in the weeks to come.
