carols

Whether you are studying English in a foreign country, or on your own at home, listening to music is a great way to practice your skills! You can find English music stations online, or listen to English music on sites such as YouTube.

Many people (regardless of religion) sing holiday songs during the month of December. These songs are also known as carols. One fun way to practise writing is to adapt (change) the lyrics of a carol (or other popular song). When you adapt lyrics, you keep some of the original lyrics. The words that you change should still fit into the song with the original tune.This month we are going to practise adapting song lyrics. You don't have to choose a Christmas song if you don't want to. Choose a popular song that most people will know. You can do this challenge on your own or with a partner.Your Task1. Find a MyEC partner (or decide to do the challenge on your own).2. Choose a holiday song (or other popular song). Here is a large list of lyrics to holiday songs!3. Change some of the lyrics to the song to make it your own song! (Do one verse or the whole song.)4. Post the new lyrics on your own blog. Use the blog title: Writing Challenge #14: Your Song's Name5. If you can find a link to the original song (or lyrics) online add the link from your blog to help readers catch the tune (see my example).6. Come back and post a link to your adapted song in the comments here.My Example:I just posted my example on ESL Magazine. Check out my adaptation of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" here. (This is an easy one to adapt. You can use it too.)BONUS CHALLENGE: Do you have a microphone? Record your song and upload it to your audio player for all of us to hear! (Or record a video) Will anyone accept this audio challenge?TIP: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is a fun holiday song for practising English. Here is my daughter's favourite version.
Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of MyEnglishClub to add comments!

Comments

  • hello Tara,
    I try to use my voice for you, Happy New Year
    look at happynewyear

    lyrics adapted by happy birthday to you

    happy new year to you
    happy new year to you
    happy new year ... happy new year
    happy new year to youuu ...

    have wonderful holiday,

    -Nadiyah-
    https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2378515761?profile=original
  • Yay!!!!! Suela took my personal challenge to adapt Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. The lyrics are below. Try to sing along. It's brilliant! Suela, you have a talent for this! If you post this to your own blog too I can feature it so that more members can see it. This song is even better than the original! It's like a grown up version. You made my day. Thank you!
  • Suela, this song is fantastic! I am very familiar with the tune and I was able to sing along. I'm going to get my daughter to give it a try. She loves that song! Great writing! I'm so happy that many of you have been brave enough to take this difficult challenge.
  • BTW-If you're interested in the Rudoph song, try this quiz! http://esolcourses.blogspot.com/2009/12/learn-english-with-christma...
  • I'm still waiting for someone to adapt "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"!
  • Ah... thanks Nadiyah! That's so sweet.
  • hello dear Tara,
    could I create another lyrics ? I tried to translate the Indonesian's song to english
    it is my childhood song ...

    original lyrics

    satu satu, aku sayang ibu
    dua dua, aku sayang ayah
    tiga tiga, sayang adik kakak
    satu dua tiga, sayang semuanya

    one one one,I love my mother
    two two two, I love my father
    three three three, love brother sister
    one two three, I love all

    lyrics adaptation


    one one one,I love you
    two two two,I love you
    three three three,I love youuu ...
    one two three, I love youuuuuuuuuu ...

    thanks tara

    -Nadiyah-
  • Nadiyah's link was broken too. Try this one.
  • Dear Tara, this is my adaptation.
    Have a nice day!
    Nafis
  • hello Tara,
    I am glad when I can participate in your challenge
    I tried to create this Writing Challenge #14: Jose Mari Chan_Beautiful Girl here
    thank you so much for your great challenge, Tara

    -Nadiyah-
This reply was deleted.