Teaching English Through Music: Using Songs in Rural Classrooms
Learn how educators like Shawn Stanly Anthony Dass use music and Krashen's Affective Filter Hypothesis to teach English in rural classrooms and engage students.
Best quote from Teaching English Through Music: Using Songs in Rural Classrooms
If you can get your students humming the English lesson on their way home, you’ve won. Music lowers the affective filter, creating a safe, low-pressure environment where language becomes a source of joy rather than anxiety.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
I want to run a program that is teaching spoken English to rural kids using music in today’s demo session. I’m going to be doing show and tell what can I turn into a song or something that could tune into
Frequently Asked Questions
In rural education settings where students may struggle with basic literacy, music serves as a powerful alternative to traditional textbooks. Educators like Shawn Stanly Anthony Dass have successfully swapped books for guitars to lower student stress and remove the intimidation of learning a new language. Starting a lesson with a song or a chord signals a safe, non-threatening environment, making English feel accessible rather than like an intimidating wall for students who find standard curriculum difficult.
The Affective Filter Hypothesis, a concept by Krashen, suggests that emotional variables like stress, boredom, or anxiety can act as a filter that blocks new information from reaching the brain. When teaching English through music, the rhythmic chants and familiar melodies help lower this filter. By creating a safe and engaging atmosphere, teachers ensure that the 'gates' to learning remain open, allowing rural students to absorb vocabulary and language structures more effectively without the fear of failure.
Effective rural education often requires building a deep personal connection with students to make them feel seen, heard, and safe. For example, Bernice Han went beyond standard English language teaching by learning the local Temiar language to better communicate with her students. This approach, combined with the use of music, helps bridge the gap between the teacher and the community, ensuring that the classroom is a space where students feel emotionally supported and ready to learn.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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