Vocabulary and oral practice with Suno

Facilitate the expansion and memorization of vocabulary and grammar structures, as well as listening comprehension and native-level pronunciation with the use of tailored songs.

DigCompEdu Competence Area(s)

Digital resources, Facilitating learners’ digital competence

Time

Preparation time 30 minutes

Implementation time 60 minutes

Educator Progression Level

Explorer

Target groups

Any language · Any proficiency · Listening, vocabulary & grammar · Any group size

Minimum student digital skill level

Basic

Minimum student language level

A1

🎓 Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • Memorize new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms
  • Practice listening comprehension
  • Practice pronunciation of the target language, and speech fluency
  • Engage with content that matches their interests and curriculum topics

Ingredients

Item / Resource Quantity Purpose
Suno (free or paid version) 1 account AI song generation platform
ChatGPT or another generative AI assistant 1 account Generate song lyrics tailored to learning objectives
Topic list or curriculum themes 1 per lesson Basis for song content and vocabulary selection
Thematic text or vocabulary list 1 per lesson Source material for lyrics generation prompt
Speakers / audio output 1 set Play the generated song to the class
Screen / projector to display lyrics 1 Visual support for listening activity
Paper for printing song lyrics (optional) 1 per learner Offline reference during listening activity
Google Docs or Word processor 1 Format lyrics and create follow-up exercises

Utensils

  • Device requirements, accounts, browser extensions, etc.
  • Computer or tablet with internet access
  • Suno, https://suno.com/home (free version sufficient)
  • ChatGPT (free version sufficient)
  • Basic word processing software
  • Speakers/computer or tablet with integrated speakers
  • Printer (optional)
  • Screen/projector (optional)

🥣 Preparation – Before Implementation

  • Identify your topic and level – Choose a curriculum-relevant topic and determine your students’ language proficiency level.
  • Prepare the list of elements to include in the song – Create a list of vocabulary, grammar structures, and/or idioms depending on the needs of the lesson
  • Prepare your ChatGPT prompt – Write down the specific details you’ll need: topic, language level, text length, and the list of elements to include in the song (vocabulary, grammar, idioms)
  • Set up your document – Open a word processor to copy and format the generated text.
  • Open Suno, paste the song lyrics generated, and request the creation of a song based on these lyrics. You can specify your preferred music genre and tempo.

🔥 Implementation Steps

  • Generate song lyrics
  • Open ChatGPT and use this prompt template:
  • Sample prompt: “Write song lyrics about [TOPIC] for [LANGUAGE LEVEL] language learners. Use the following list of vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms in the lyrics. Make it engaging and age-appropriate for [AGE GROUP] in [SETTING]. Create the lyrics so they can be matched to [MUSIC GENRE].”
  • Example: “Write song lyrics about hobbies for B1 Swedish learners. Use the following list of vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms in the lyrics. Make it engaging and age-appropriate for adult migrants in a language class. Create the lyrics so they can be matched to disco/pop-rock music in the style of Abba.”
  • INSERT: vocabulary, grammar structures, idioms list created during preparation phase
  • Review and edit the song lyrics
  • Read through the generated lyrics
  • Check that the vocabulary and grammar matches the list provided in the prompt
  • Adjust if needed (i.e. spelling errors, add more words from the vocabulary list that weren’t included, etc)
  • Generate the song
  • Open Suno and use this prompt template:
  • Sample prompt: “Create a song about [TOPIC] for [LANGUAGE LEVEL] language learners. Make it engaging and age-appropriate for [AGE GROUP]. Create a [MUSIC GENRE] song (in the style of [ARTIST]). Use the following lyrics: [INSERT LYRICS GENERATED BY CHATGPT].”
  • Example: “Create a song about hobbies for B1 Swedish learners. Use the following list of vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms in the lyrics. Make it engaging and age-appropriate for adults. Create a disco/pop-rock song (in the style of ABBA). Use the following lyrics: [INSERT LYRICS GENERATED BY CHATGPT].”
  • Implement activity in class
  • Play the song to the learners
  • Follow with activity of your choosing: listening comprehension, vocabulary exercises, sing-along activity to practice pronunciation and speech fluency, etc

🧂 Differentiation & Inclusion

Adaptations for varied language levels, access needs, and cultural backgrounds.

  • For mixed-level classes: Generate multiple versions of the same topic at different proficiency levels
  • For visual learners: Ask ChatGPT or an AI image generator to create lyrics cards that can be animated into a lyrics video (maybe a different tool i.e. Sora
  • For advanced students: Create songs with lyrics with more complex themes or cultural references
  • For specific interests: Customize topics based on student surveys or current events they care about

🍴 Assessment & Feedback

Criterion Excellent Good Needs Work
Listening Comprehension Identifies main topic, key vocabulary, and most details on first or second listening. Identifies main topic and some vocabulary; misses minor details. Struggles to identify topic or vocabulary even after repeated listening.
Vocabulary Recognition Correctly identifies and uses 80%+ of target vocabulary from the song. Identifies 50–79% of target vocabulary; some errors in use. Identifies fewer than 50% of target vocabulary; significant gaps.
Task Completion Completes follow-up activity fully and accurately; engages actively. Completes most of the activity with minor errors or gaps. Does not complete the activity or shows minimal engagement.
Critical Reflection Thoughtfully discusses AI authorship, copyright, and cultural appropriateness. Engages with reflection questions with some depth. Provides only surface-level or no reflection on AI use.

⚠️ Ethics, Privacy & Safeguarding

  • Teachers should inform students that outputs might not be fully copyright‑safe for publication or commercial use and should discuss intellectual property basics.
  • Set clear usage guidelines and review outputs before public sharing.
  • There’s an ethical question about authorship: when students use AI to generate music, should it be considered their own work, AI‑assisted work, or the AI’s output?
  • Define clear attribution policies, like how citations are used in written work.

🍱 Extensions / Follow‑Ups

Homework ideas:

  • Students create and present their own versions of the song based on the same lyrics to fully tailor the material to their individual preferences.
  • Students write their own lyrics to practice grammar and vocabulary
  • Students write a text (short story, letter, news article, etc) based on the song’s theme and lyrics

🔗 Cross‑Subject Link

  • Choir/sing-along activity and music practice for music class
  • Generate songs about science, history, or social studies topics in the target language

References & Resources

  • ChatGPT – AI text generation tool for creating educational content
  • Suno – AI song generation tool
  • CEFR Level Descriptors – Guidelines for language proficiency levels
  • OpenAI Usage Policies – Guidelines for appropriate use of ChatGPT
  • AI in Education Guidelines – Ethical guidelines for educators on using artificial intelligence