What makes a good ESL song
- Few words, many times. Six to ten target words, each repeated, beat a long list sung once.
- One structure. A sentence frame such as "I can see a ..." or "This is my ..." that children can reuse in class.
- An action for every word. Point to your nose, jump, wave: the action carries the meaning before the word does.
- Slow, clear singing. Ask for a slow tempo and simple lines; the gentle style is slower than playful.
- Words the children will use today, not words chosen for the rhyme.
How to write the details
List the target words and the sentence frame. Say the level ("absolute beginners, ages 4 to 6") and how you will use the song ("we act it out", "we hold up picture cards"). If you want the meaning in the children's first language, say which language and how: "say each word in English, then in Spanish". Then read the lyrics: check every word is one you taught, and swap any that are not. Up to 3 fresh drafts are included if the first is too hard. For mixed-level groups, ask for an easy chorus for everyone and one harder verse for the confident children.
Using the song across a week
- Day 1: teach the words with pictures first. Then play the song once while you do the actions.
- Day 2: children do the actions with you. Hold up the picture card as each word is sung.
- Day 3: pause before each target word; the class says it.
- Day 4: children sing the chorus, then use the sentence frame in a game.
- Day 5: a child leads the actions while the class sings. Keep the song in your warm-up rotation for the next unit.
Songs in other languages too
Songs can be sung in English, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese or Italian, so the same approach works if you teach those languages to young children, or want a welcome song in a new arrival's home language. See English songs for ESL kids and songs to teach kids Spanish for example topics.
How it works here
Choose "For children to listen to" with the language topic, the age band and a style. The lyrics arrive about a minute after payment. When you approve them, an AI music model sings the song in about 2 to 4 minutes, as a song of about two minutes, in a warm adult female or male voice. Make up to 3 sung versions and keep the clearest. A pack of 20 covers a unit a week for a term or more, and packs of 5 and 20 bring the price per song down and never expire. You can use the songs in class and on your own channels.
Example lyrics
Made with Still Morning for a made-up class, from these details: "For beginner English learners aged 4 to 6. Target words: head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hands, feet. Sentence frame: "This is my ...". Sing slowly, each word twice, point to each body part. Chorus: "Touch your head, touch your nose". We hold up picture cards.". Lyrics as the writer drafted them, before any edits.
[Verse 1] This is my head, head This is my head This is my eyes, eyes This is my eyes This is my ears, ears This is my ears [Chorus] Touch your head, touch your nose Touch your head, touch your nose Clap your hands, clap your hands Touch your head, touch your nose [Verse 2] This is my nose, nose This is my nose This is my mouth, mouth This is my mouth This is my hands, hands This is my hands [Chorus] Touch your head, touch your nose Touch your head, touch your nose Clap your hands, clap your hands Touch your head, touch your nose [Bridge] Point to your feet, feet Stomp your feet, feet [Chorus] Touch your head, touch your nose Touch your head, touch your nose Clap your hands, clap your hands Touch your head, touch your nose
What it cannot do
The music model sometimes stresses a syllable oddly or blurs a word, which matters more for learners, so listen to each version and keep the clearest. It sings in a natural accent you cannot pick (no choice between British and American English), and you cannot slow down the recording or change single notes. A song is a practice tool, not a full English course.
Questions parents ask
Can I choose a British or American accent?
No. You choose a warm female or male voice, not an accent. Use your own spelling and words in the lyrics; you can edit every line.
Can I make the song slower?
Ask for slow, short lines in the details, and choose the gentle or lullaby style, which are slower than playful.
How many words should one song teach?
Six to ten for young beginners. Split a longer list across two songs.
Can I teach phonics with these songs?
Yes: list the letter sounds and example words. See the phonics song maker.
Can I use the songs on my online teaching channel?
Yes, on your own channels, including monetized ones. Label the music as AI-made where the platform asks.
Updated 2026-10-17. Made with AI. The words come from an AI writer working from your details, and you approve them. The music and the voice come from an AI music model (not a human singer).