Music is always a refreshing change for an ESL class. Holidays are also always nice to add into the English as a Second Language class mix. I’ve decided to combine both with an English as a Second Laguage Halloween song followed up by discussions.
ESL students seem to love this silly song and they really like talking about ghosts and scary things. Here is a link to the song on YouTube. (This is the original appearance of Bobby Picket on American Bandstand) I hope you enjoy it as much as my class did. If you are planning on bringing the feeling of Halloween to your class you can always dress up and hand out candy.
My students loved it! Also, some scary background music really adds to the ambiance as students are going over the discussion questions. The link I’ve included has a nice visual for people to enjoy as well.
“Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett
I was working in the _________, late one night
When my ___________ beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab, began to rise
And suddenly to my ____________
He did the mash, he did the monster mash
The monster mash, it was a graveyard __________
He did the mash, it caught on in a _________
He did the mash, he did the monster mash
From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master __________ where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes
They did the mash, they did the monster mash
The monster mash, it was a graveyard ____________
They did the mash, it caught on in a ____________
They did the mash, they did the monster mash
The zombies were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included __________,
Dracula, and his son
The scene was rockin’, all were digging the sounds
Igor on ___________, backed by his baying hounds
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive
With their vocal group, ‘The Crypt-Kicker Five’
They played the mash, they played the monster mash
The monster mash, it was a graveyard ____________
They played the mash, it caught on in a ___________
They played the mash, they played the monster mash
Out from his coffin, Drac’s voice did ________
Seems he was troubled by just ______ _________
Opened the lid and shook his fist and said
“Whatever happened to my Transylvania Twist? ”
It’s now the mash, it’s now the monster mash
The monster mash, it was graveyard ___________
It’s now the mash, it caught on in a ____________
It’s now the mash, it’s now the monster mash
Now everything’s cool, Drac’s a part of the ________
And my Monster Mash is the hit of the land
For you, _____ _________, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you
Then you can mash, then you can monster mash
The monster mash, and do my graveyard __________
Then you can mash, you’ll catch on in a ___________
Then you can mash, then you can monster mash
ESL Discussion Questions for Halloween
- Whose ghost would you like to meet?
- Do you believe in ghosts?
- Would you talk to a ghost?
- Do you know any good stories about ghosts?
- Do you know anyone who has said that they have seen a ghost?
- Have you ever come in contact with a ghost? (Have you ever seen a ghost?)
- If one of your friends told you they had seen a ghost, would you believe him/her? Why/Why not?
- What is the scariest ghost story you know?
- Is there an area where you live (park, house, etc.) that is known to be haunted?
- If so, what is the story or legend that makes people believe this area is haunted? Have you ever visited this place?
- Do you believe that houses can be haunted? Have you ever been to one?
- ***If you were a ghost who and where would you haunt? ***
- How do you know if a ghost is near you?
- If you don’t believe in ghosts, then what have you heard other people say?
- If you don’t believe in ghost, why don’t you believe?
- Can you recall any strange or unexplained events in your life?
- ***Do you believe your ancestors are watching you? ***
- ***Would you spend the night in a very old uninhabited house, church, or school that was known to have ghosts? ***
Wasn’t That Spooktacular?!?
Sorry for the pun, I couldn’t help myself. As I’ve said before, getting into the spirit of your own holidays or even the local holidays really can inspire students to become more interested in learning. When I set up my class during Christmas I had a student who never ever smiled suddenly seem jovial and lighthearted. She told me that in spite pf herself, she found herself getting into the Christmas mood.
Stories like that really made my day and made me think that all the effort I put into making class fun and interesting were worth it. So Let it be with your class. Inspire, entertain, and educate and your class will be a success!
Until next time remember that Teaching English is Fun!
Jim
