Foreign Language Songs in the Elementary Music Classroom: Benefits, Challenges, and Effective Teaching Methods

UNCP Author/Contributor (non-UNCP co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Lindsay M. Byers (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP )
Web Site: http://www.uncp.edu/academics/library
Advisor
Valerie Austin

Abstract: This lecture recital considers the challenges many music educators face in attempting to meet standards for students and on teacher evaluations. The author suggests that music curriculum is sometimes marginalized as music educators attempt to include standards outside of the arts in their teaching in order to meet standards on teacher evaluations. The use of foreign language songs in the elementary music classroom as a means of constructing global and cultural awareness in elementary students demanded by Common Core State Standards, and teacher evaluations is examined. Beginning by defining Common Core State Standards, and the North Carolina Teacher Evaluation Process and discussing the challenges their implementation presents for music educators. Following this, the author reviews the benefits, challenges, and effective teaching methods for foreign language songs in the elementary music classroom revealed through study of the current literature on the subject. A description of a case study of two specific foreign language songs for different age and ability levels taught using methods found in the author's research concludes the effective methods section of the study. The classical repertoire performed in the recital portion and its correlation to the study of foreign language songs is also included. The goal of this study is to provide elementary music educators with a guide for teaching foreign language songs effectively while meeting Common Core State Standards, teacher evaluation standards and music objectives.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
School of Graduate Studies, Music Education, UNCP
Language: English
Date: 2014
Keywords
Music, Foreign Language Songs, Music Education, Elementary Music Education, Common Core State Standards, Teacher Evaluation, Cultural Awareness, Global Awareness

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