There are, of course, also linguistic reasons for using songs in the classroom. Songs are excellent examples of colloquial English, or the language of informal conversation. Most of the songs EFL students will encounter are in fact informal. Using songs can prepare students for the language they will be faced with in real life. Furthermore, Domoney and Harris (1993) and Little (1983) investigated the prevalence of pop music in the lives of EFL students. Both studies found that music is often the major source of English outside of the classroom. The exposure to authentic English is an important factor in promoting language learning, as establishing a sense of rhythm can be used to increase a student's awareness of rhyming patterns and alliteration in reading or writing. Through music, memory skills can be improved and aural discrimination increased (Chong & Can, 1997). Music can focus the mind on the sound being perceived and promote learning through interactive processes. They have been part of the human experience for as long as we can remember and have become an integral part of our language experience. So, it is important to use music in coordination with language lessons. This can be of great value if learners become conscious of auditory and discrimination skills. Music and songs can help increase these listening skills in a fun, relaxed manner. As well, music creates an environment that is conducive to learning and sets the stage for listening and learning (Davies, 2000). For instance, teachers may use this rhyming pattern for different texts:
I like chocolate.