Boost Students’ Listening and Speaking Skills With English Songs

This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of using songs as a methodological strategy to improve these skills among students from Ecuadorian public high schools. The participants were 94 preservice teachers, 1,191 high school students, and 88 teachers. A mixed-method research design was used to collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data. The instruments used were pre- and posttests, students’ interviews, and surveys. The results showed that preservice teachers helped students sharpen their listening and speaking skills using songs when thoughtfully selected, considering students’ age, level, and personal interests. Furthermore, songs can reduce anxiety and increase students’ self-confidence when expressing their ideas verbally. The originality of this study lies in the fact that it was carried out in public schools with limited economic resources, where technological tools are often inaccessible, and through the results obtained, it was evident that songs helped students improve their listening and speaking skills.