Episode 20: Songs and Language Acquisition with Cate Hamilton | The Power of Music in Multilingual Classrooms | Talking Their Language with Helen Bodell

Episode 20: Songs and Language Acquisition with Cate Hamilton | The Power of Music in Multilingual Classrooms | Talking Their Language with Helen BodellWelcome to Talking Their Language with Helen Bodell, the podcast for teachers, school leaders, EAL specialists, and educators who are passionate about supporting multilingual learners and creating inclusive, language-rich classrooms.In Episode 20, Helen Bodell is joined by Cate Hamilton, doctoral researcher at the University of Oxford, to explore the fascinating connection between songs, music, and language acquisition.Together, Helen and Cate discuss how songs can support children learning languages, including pupils learning English as an Additional Language (EAL), and explore why music can be such a powerful tool for developing communication, confidence, memory, and a love of languages.Drawing on her research into the effectiveness of using songs to teach foreign languages to primary-aged children, Cate shares insights into how singing can support language learning and how educators can use music to create engaging multilingual learning experiences.In this episode, you'll discover:How songs can support language acquisition and vocabulary development.Why music can be an effective tool for multilingual learners.The links between singing, memory, pronunciation, and communication.Practical ways teachers can use songs in language-rich classrooms.How celebrating multiple languages can support inclusion and belonging.The role of language awareness in effective language teaching.Meet Cate HamiltonCate Hamilton is a doctoral student at the University of Oxford, researching the effectiveness of using songs for teaching foreign languages to primary school-aged children.Before joining the Oxford Department of Education, where she completed her Master's in Applied Linguistics in 2021, Cate taught English and foreign languages in secondary schools and early years settings for 15 years.Cate’s interest in songs and language learning developed through Babel Babies, a multilingual approach to exploring languages and linguistics through singing songs in ten languages.She also hosts The Language Revolution podcast, exploring how language awareness can inform and transform language teaching, with guests including leading voices in education and linguistics. Cate is also Chair of the annual conference for NALDIC, the national subject association for EAL.Whether you are an EAL Lead, classroom teacher, early years practitioner, teaching assistant, or language specialist, this episode offers inspiring ideas about how music and multilingual approaches can help children develop language skills and confidence.Further readingRead our accompanying blog for further ideas, strategies, and resources:https://www.twinkl.co.uk/blog/ealExplore more Twinkl EAL resourcesJoin Twinkl EAL:https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/72uh3Browse the full Twinkl EAL resource collection:https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1gx63tIf you enjoyed this episode of Talking Their Language with Helen Bodell, subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with colleagues. Each episode explores research, classroom practice, and inspiring stories that help educators support multilingual learners and celebrate the power of language.