VOA慢速英语2011-Education Report - Are You Learning Engli

Songs teach language. Consider a song like "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega. An American teaching¹ English overseas² once told us that students love it.

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Recently we asked people on Facebook to suggest other songs that English learners might like.

Noemi Nito wrote: I'm one of those English students who love "Tom's Diner." I started learning³ English with "Lemon Tree" by Fool's Garden.

Another person, Asi Tambunan, suggested the song "God Only Knows" by Orianthi.

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Gyongyi Jako wrote that ABBA's songs from Sweden are perfect for class work. Also, the Beatles and John Lennon, as well as Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World."

Cookie Monster and friends from "Sesame Street Live" in New York last February to celebrate the 30th anniversary⁴ of the touring stage shows

Paul Cifuentes says Bob Marley's songs are amazing for teaching. But another teacher, Joseph Deka, says songs by Johnny Cash have always worked in his classroom. He says his students can hear the words, plus the songs often have stories. But he says young children love "C Is for Cookie" by Cookie Monster from the TV show "Sesame Street."

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Aurelio Lourenco Costa Gusmao says he began to like English after his teacher played the Westlife song "I Have a Dream": That was eight years ago. I was in the seventh grade. And from that day on, my dream of improving my English skills became attached⁵ in my mind.

Teachers can use this song to convey⁶ the message to their students that they should have their own dream for the future.

Aurelio's story was no surprise to another commenter, Katie Kivenko: When you listen to your favorite songs, you feel emotionally⁷ high and it moves you to action.

And that's the VOA Special English Education Report. You can share other music suggestions for English learners at voaspecialenglish.com or on Facebook at VOA Learning English. I'm Steve Ember.

1 teaching   

n.教学，执教，任教，讲授；(复数)教诲

参考例句：

• We all agree in adopting the new teaching method. 我们一致同意采取新的教学方法。
• He created a new system of teaching foreign languages.他创造了一种新的外语教学体系。

2 overseas   

adj.海外的；adv.在海外

参考例句：

• Her man has been sent overseas by his employers.她的丈夫已被雇主派往海外。
• Many firms are focusing on increasing their markets overseas.许多商行都专注于扩大国外市场。

3 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

4 anniversary   

n.周年(纪念日)

参考例句：

• They celebrate their wedding anniversary annually.他们每年庆祝一番结婚纪念日。
• Today is my parents'30th wedding anniversary.今天是我父母结婚30周年纪念日。

5 attached   

附加的

参考例句：

• The lease entitles the holder to use the buildings and any land attached thereto.本租约持有人有权使用此建筑物以及所附属的土地。

6 convey   

vt.传送；运送，输送；传达，表达，传播

参考例句：

• Don't forget to convey my regards when you see him.你去见着他，别忘了给我捎个好儿。
• My letter will convey some idea of my mode of life.我的信将使你了解到一些我的生活方式。

7 emotionally   

adv.感情上，情绪上，冲动地

参考例句：

• a special school for emotionally disturbed children 为精神异常儿童开办的特殊学校
• A wide range of emotionally stressful events may trigger a relapse. 多种令人情绪紧张的事情都可能引起旧病复发。 来自《简明英汉词典》