Music helps learners with pronunciation, vocabulary and culture. It can also be used to teach grammar. Here is a growing selection of ideas to use music in your class:

Antología por Shakira

Preterite, culture, love

Letra https://www.letras.com/shakira/35913/#google_vignette

Take out preterite verbs and add blanks. Make a word bank for students to fill the blanks in. Add English translations to the bank. Have students write something short about the past as an extension.

Ayer por Gloria Estefan

Preterite, culture, love

Letra 

https://www.letras.com/gloria-estefan/352270

Take out preterite verbs and add blanks. Make a word bank for students to fill the blanks in. Add English translations to the bank. Have students write something short about the past as a follow up.

Mi Tierra por Gloria Estefan

Preterite, present, culture, immigration

Letra 

https://www.letras.com/gloria-estefan/13048

Take out present verbs or phrases (i.e. te duele) and add blanks. Make a word bank for students to fill the blanks in. Add English translations to the bank. Have students write something short about the past as a follow up or about what hurts. Also, great everyday nature vocabulary (tierra,  cal, luna, etc.). Have students make a short nature scene and label their sketches.

Ay, Mamá por Chayenne

Present progressive, present tense, commands, culture, dance

Letra

https://www.letras.com/chayanne/168620

Take out present progressive verbs or phrases (i.e. te duele) and add blanks. Make a word bank for students to fill the blanks in. Add English translations to the bank.

Vivir mi vida, Marc Anthony

Present progressive, present tense, commands, culture, dance

Letra 

https://www.letras.com/marc-anthony/vivir-mi-vida/#google_vignette

Take out the Voy a + infinitive phrases and add blanks. Make a word bank for students to fill the blanks in. Alternatively, have students underline those phrases in the lyrics. Write about future plans as an extension.

Soy gitano, Camarón de la Isla

Culture; present tense (soy)

Letra 

https://www.letras.com/camaron-de-la-isla/910165/#google_vignette

Camarón de la Isla was a HUGE flamenco star. Exposing learners to this genre is important. I suggest reading a bit about the history of flamenco. Follow up with a writing about identity (i.e. Yo soy…).

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