Teach English with Music: Alan Smith Robertson’s ESL Songs
Teaching English doesn’t always have to mean grammar drills and vocabulary lists. Thanks to Alan Smith Robertson, teachers now have a creative way to bring music into the classroom. His songs are designed to make grammar and vocabulary more memorable, engaging, and fun for learners of all ages.
Each song focuses on a specific topic whether it’s tricky grammar points like past modals or reported speech, or everyday vocabulary like clothes and transport. The rhythm and repetition of music help students internalize the language naturally, while teachers get ready-made resources to liven up their lessons.
Here’s a quick look at some of Alan’s most useful songs for ESL classrooms:
1. “ Are you coming out?” – Alan Smith Robertson
Level: Intermediate Low (A2+)
“ Are you coming out?” by Alan Smith Robertson is an engaging educational song created to inspire both students and teachers. With its catchy melody and thought-provoking lyrics, it encourages listeners to open up, express themselves, and embrace learning. Perfect for the classroom, it offers a fun way to explore English grammar and vocabulary.
Explore 'Study QUESTIONS' on Roxxem!
2. “Don't try to change me” – Alan Smith Robertson
Level: Intermediate Mid (B1)
This song explores the complexities of personality and relationships, emphasizing the importance of embracing everyone’s unique traits. With a catchy pop melody, it challenges listeners to accept themselves and others as they are, without trying to change them. It’s a celebration of individuality and self-acceptance.
Explore 'Don't try to change me' on Roxxem!
3. "'Cause I'm alright" - Alan Smith Robertson
Level: Intermediate Mid (B1)
This educational pop song uses humor and relatable scenarios to teach the present perfect tense with “for” and “since.” Through a playful post-breakup narrative, it offers a fun and engaging way to practice grammar. Perfect for both students and teachers, it makes a tricky topic easy to remember.
Explore ''Cause I'm alright' on Roxxem!
4. “My favourite shirt” – Alan Smith Robertson
Level: Intermediate Low (A2+)
This playful pop song humorously portrays a lover’s quarrel through the theme of clothing. As clothes are thrown out onto the street, the singer laments the loss of his favorite shirt amidst the chaos. A catchy and entertaining way to learn clothing vocabulary while having fun!
Explore 'My favourite shirt' on Roxxem
5. “Where boats belong” – Alan Smith Robertson
Level: Intermediate Mid (B1)
Join Lucy on her adventurous journey across the world in this engaging folk-style song. Through vivid storytelling, it introduces transport and travel vocabulary while celebrating the freedom of exploring new places. A memorable and inspiring way for students to learn English through real-life contexts.
Explore 'Where boats belong' on Roxxem!
6. “Fireball” – Alan Smith Robertson
Level: Novice Mid (A1)
Dive into the basics of English with this fun and educational song. It helps learners grasp the essential verb “to be” in a memorable and engaging way, making it perfect for ESL students building foundational language skills.
7. “In an emergency room” – Alan Smith Robertson
Level: Intermediate Mid (B1)
This engaging educational song takes listeners into the intense world of an emergency room. Through vivid storytelling, it introduces health and medicine vocabulary while highlighting the challenges and realities of medical life. A unique and memorable way for ESL learners to expand their language skills.
Explore 'In an emergency room' on Roxxem!
8. “Lie la lie” – Alan Smith Robertson
Level: Intermediate Low (A2+)
This educational pop song creatively teaches indefinite pronouns through fun and engaging lyrics. Perfect for both students and teachers, it combines music with language learning, making grammar lessons enjoyable, memorable, and easy to practice.
Explore 'Lie la lie' on Roxxem!
Ready to Bring Music into Your ESL Classroom?
All of Alan Smith Robertson’s songs are available on Roxxem, making it easy for teachers and students to access high-quality, classroom-ready content anytime. From grammar lessons to vocabulary practice, these songs turn learning English into an interactive, enjoyable experience.
Whether you’re teaching beginners or intermediate learners, Roxxem provides the perfect platform to stream, explore, and integrate these songs into your lessons. Turn your classroom into a space where music meets language learning, and let your students sing, learn, and thrive with every lesson.
👉 To learn more about Alan Smith Robertson’s work and explore additional resources, visit ESLSongs.com.