Music in the English Language Classroom: Nine Classical Composers English Teachers Should Know

Using Classical Music in the EFL Classroom
These nine classical music composers have long been recognized for their significant contribution to altering and enhancing English and foreign language learning in classrooms around the world from Angola to Mongolia to Yemen and Zambia. Which of these classical music composers is shown in the picture? (Answer is below)

• Beethoven
You can get more insight into one of the world’s most well-known hearing-impaired composers at: http://www.lucare.com/immortal/ There is also a free classical music radio station online featuring Ludwig Van Beethoven at: http://www.beethoven.com/

Mozart
Always portrayed as a flamboyant, vibrant character, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has been the theme of countless papers, essays and compositions. There are also numerous documentaries and a popular Hollywood film on his life too. Learn more about him at: http://www.mozartproject.org/

• Bach
An amazing composer Johan Sebastian Bach has left us with a music legacy that could not be easily surpassed. You and your language learners might start delving into the aspects of his life and works by visiting: http://www.jsbach.org/

• Vivaldi
Admittedly, I knew a less about Antonio Vivaldi that I thought. He suffered from “heart problems” and chest pains even when young. He was born about 60 years after the deaths of William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes. But checkout his interesting story for yourself at: http://www.baroquemusic.org/bqxvivaldi.html

• Schubert
Franz Schubert, the son of a teacher himself finally died from a Syphilis infection in 1828. In he meanwhile though, he lead a varied and interesting life during the 1800s. Read more about him and see some pictures too at: http://www.naxos.com/composerinfo/Franz_Schubert/21172.htm

• Chopin
Born in Poland and ending his days in Paris, Frederic Chopin dedicated himself almost exclusively to the piano more so than any other classical music composer. Born 200 years ago you can key up your knowledge of his life and works here:
http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/chopin.html

• Tchaikovsky
Peyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky initially studied Law and was 20 years old in 1860, right before the American Civil war broke out. His passions and music can be expanded upon in your English as a foreign language classes by visiting the site at: http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/5648/PLife.htm

• Brahms
Johannes Brahms, born in Hamburg, Germany, soloed on the piano in public at the age of 15. How old are your English language learners? How do their studies compare with those of Brahms? Not sure? Find out than at: http://www.johannesbrahms.org/

• Debussy
Claude Debussy (pictured above) was born in France near the start of the American Civil War and died in Paris from Cancer near the end of World War I in 1918. There is an interesting picture gallery, biography and other background information about him online at: http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/debussy.html


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.