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)
Time
Preparation time minutes
Implementation time 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
- Answer AI‑generated quizzes to check understanding of a topic.
- Reflect on question types (multiple‑choice, recall, short answer) and identify areas for improvement.
- Provide feedback on the accuracy and relevance of AI‑generated questions.
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
🍴 Assessment & Feedback
⚠️ Ethics, Privacy & Safeguarding
🍱 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