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"Ring, rang, rung, ringing." "Sweep, swept, swept, sweeping." These are
but a few of the many irregular verb forms which non-native speakers of
English must acquire. Needless to say, recalling these irregular verb forms
is difficult for many E.S.L. learners. Yet what can E.S.L. teachers do to
facilitate the process of learning these verbs? While there are no pills or
injections, there is an alternative and enjoyable way that can be used with
E.S.L. students: songs. Songs offer a viable alternative since, in the
research literature, songs have demonstrated to have a powerful impact
upon rote memorization and language acquisition (Medina, 1991).
Step 1: Teach the meanings of irregular verbs in a song (i.e., the base
form)
e. Test volunteers
The following irregular verbs and their various verb forms were sung to the
melody of "Hernando’s Hideaway."
Verse 1
Verse 2
Verse 3