How to Teach Turkish with Songs and Rhymes?
- Selda Berat Özmen
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
How to Teach Turkish with Songs and Rhymes?
a) Selecting Level-Appropriate Songs and Rhymes
Beginner level: Simple, repetitive, and short songs (e.g., "Kırmızı balık gölde, kıvrıla kıvrıla yüzüyor").
Intermediate level: Songs with more complex lyrics (e.g., Barış Manço – "Arkadaşım Eşek").
Advanced level: Poetic and metaphorical songs (e.g., Sezen Aksu – "Gülümse").
b) Activity Ideas
Listening and Gap-Fill: Pause the song and have students fill in missing words.
Karaoke: Display lyrics and sing as a class.
Tongue Twister Competitions: Reward the student who recites fastest and most accurately.
Song + Movement/Miming: Use gestures to reinforce meaning.
Create Your Own Rhyme: Have students write original rhymes.
c) Digital Tools for Support
YouTube: Kids’ song channels (TRT Çocuk, Minika Go).
Spotify/Apple Music: Playlists curated for Turkish learners.
Karaoke Apps: Smule, Singa for practice.
3. Example Songs and Rhymes
For Children:
🎵 "Ali Babanın Bir Çiftliği Var" → Animal names and verbs.🎵 "Portakalı Soydum" → Numbers and action verbs.🎶 "Yağmur Yağıyor Seller Akıyor" → Nature and weather vocabulary.
For Adults:
🎤 Tarkan – "Şımarık" → Everyday conversational phrases.🎧 Mor ve Ötesi – "Cambaz" → Metaphors and advanced vocabulary.
Tongue Twisters:
"Bu yoğurdu sarımsaklasak da mı saklasak, sarımsaklamasak da mı saklasak?" (Pronunciation challenge).
"Şu köşe yaz köşesi, şu köşe kış köşesi" (Location and season words).
4. Conclusion: Why Do Songs and Rhymes Work?
Promote long-term retention (music enhances memory).
Increase motivation and make lessons fun.
Engage multiple senses (auditory, visual, kinesthetic).
Strengthen classroom interaction.
If you want your students to be more active and enthusiastic while learning Turkish, be sure to incorporate songs and rhymes into your lessons! 🎶
Which songs or rhymes do you use? Share in the comments! 👇
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