DEVELOPING YOUNG LEARNERS’ LISTENING SKILLS THROUGH SONGS

Listening skill is regarded as the most important outcome of early language teaching and songs are regarded as one of the best ways for practicing and developing the listening skills of especially young learners. Therefore, any syllabus designed for teaching foreign languages to young learners specifically focuses on the listening skill in general and contains songs as effective listening materials. The purpose of this theoretical study is to present a theoretical structure by reviewing the relevant literature in relation to the importance of the listening skill for young foreign language learners and to discuss the importance, advantages, and teaching procedures of songs as listening activities. Research shows that the necessary time is not being devoted to listening comprehension activities in the teaching of modern foreign languages in Turkey and students are unable to reach the targets about listening comprehension mentioned in the curriculum. Therefore it is concluded in this study that the development of listening skills should be given priority in the Turkish context as in many European countries and that the use of songs as listening materials should be promoted.