Teaching Tips

Oye Mi Canto, Mi Son Using Tongue Twisters and Songs

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Abstract

This teaching tip was developed to be used with middle and high school students at the beginning of week 2 in level I Spanish. The practice was for all learners within the classroom to practice at the same time. Class sizes ranged from 27 to 35. The tip was first implemented in 2000 and modified as students improved in performance and increased their willingness to participate. Because of its success, it was also applied at levels II and III with students who were not exposed to the tip in level I. These students also reacted with a strong willingness to participate. Starting in 2008 the principles of the 30 Million Word Initiative (Suskind, 2015) were added: high repetition in a meaningful way with negotiated meaning. From this sprang the concept for the 1 Million Word Initiative (the author’s initiative). This initiative has the goal that by the end of the 3rd year of high school exposure, students should have the opportunity to hear and react to 1 million words with repetition in their L2 Spanish experience.

How to Cite:

Bowman, D., (2016) “Oye Mi Canto, Mi Son Using Tongue Twisters and Songs”, Pronunciation in Second Language Learning and Teaching Proceedings 8(1).