Recycle Songs are short pieces of music, between 10 seconds and a minute or so in length. You’ll find at least two versions of each song.

The first–the original song–can be used for listening activities.

Second, there’ll be a karaoke version–an mp3 file without words. Students can sing the original words to this. But better yet, they can write their own words, perhaps in pairs or small groups, and then perform them to the class. They can even record their version.

Sometimes you’ll find a third recording. This is an already recycled version: a re-recording of the original with new words, often a student-generated version.

That’s why these are called Recycle Songs. We can use these songs again and again and again.

With each Recycle Song you’ll find specific instructions for a variety of activities.

If students from around the world happen to record singing to any of these recycle songs, or even write cool words, please contact me. I would love to put more student-generated material on the site.