Music as an effective tool to increase levels of motivation, entertainment, and self-confidence of ESL learners

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate whether music can be implemented as an effective tool in the ESL classrooms to increase motivation level, entertainment, and self-confidence among ESL learners. The hypothesis of the study was the use of English songs in an ESL classroom increase motivation level, entertainment and self- confidence among Sri Lankan ESL Learners. The sample of this study consists of 80 students from the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. This sample was divided into two groups as the control group and the experimental group. The control group was taught English verb forms in a traditional classroom setting whereas the experimental group was exposed to a teaching session of English verb forms using English songs. After that, a Likert-type scale questionnaire was distributed to rate the feelings and the attitudes of the students of the two groups in terms of the application and non-application of music in ESL classrooms.SPSS data package was used to analyze the data gathered from the questionnaires. The results of the study showcased that, the students of the experimental group (Group 18) have given a higher positive feedback about the English session than the control group (Group 03). In other words, the students who got exposed to background music and English songs in the ESL classroom has turned the classroom into an enjoyable and relaxing setting where the students’ interest, self-confidence, and motivation towards learning English verb forms have achieved an immense growth.