Episode 169: How to Use Songs in the World Language Classroom (and Make Them Comprehensible) with Kara Jacobs
Description
Every world language teacher knows the power of music — but how do we move beyond karaoke Fridays and make songs truly comprehensible and meaningful for our learners? 🎵
In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, host Claudia Elliott sits down with veteran teacher and blogger Kara Jacobs to unpack how she turns authentic songs and music videos into acquisition-rich, culture-centered units. Together, they explore how to create stories around songs, use visuals to support comprehension, and design lessons that engage both novice and heritage learners.
You’ll learn:
- How to choose songs that are compelling, not just grammatically useful
- Simple ways to make authentic music accessible for every proficiency level
- How “triple input” — audio, visual, and text — boosts comprehension
Why translation and storytelling can deepen students’ cultural connectionWhether you teach Spanish, French, or any other language, this episode will leave you inspired to use music as a powerful tool for communication and connection in your classroom.
🎧 Tune in, take notes, and start making songs comprehensible!
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Resources:
Free resources created by Kara Jacobs
Acquire & Inspired PD Opportunity with Kara and AnneMarie Chase. Details are available HERE.
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