Chants

Students learn and recite rhythmic chants that replicate natural speech rhythm, memorizing useful chunks of English.

Procedure

1. Perform a chant, emphasizing strong beats with finger clicks or claps. Example (capitals = strong beats, dots = rests): HI . . . LOU . . . HOW are YOU? HI . . . KATE, i'm FEEling GREAT and HOW . . . ARE . . . YOU?
2. Ask students to repeat just the first line after you, two or three times.
3. Gradually add more lines until they can say the whole chant by heart.
4. Encourage gestures: e.g., shaking hands at "Hi," pointing to partner at "How are you?" The chant can be performed by pairs taking different roles.
5. In the next lesson, ask the class to recall and recite the whole chant.

Tips

• With literate classes, write the chant on the board first, then erase segments as they learn it by heart.
• Chants can practise specific grammar or vocabulary (e.g., present simple questions: DO you like DANcing? YES i DO).
• Vary tempo, volume, and pitch for fun: very slow, very fast, loud, soft, crescendo, high or low pitch.
• In later lessons, have students perform in small groups or pairs, dividing lines as a conversational exchange while maintaining rhythm.
• Based on Carolyn Graham's Jazz Chants — check her YouTube recordings for more examples.