Students are the worst critics. hands down.

I finally found a radio for my "taller" (after school English club). I made a mix CD with various artists ranging from Michael Jackson to the Beach Boys. I looked for songs that had lyrics that could be understood (sung slow and clear), but also songs that I thought the students would enjoy. I downloaded loads of pop songs. I also had many friends send me MP3s for my classes.

However, none of the students liked any of the music I brought today! They kept saying "NO!...next!" And when I would play the next song, after only 10 seconds, they would be hollering for another.

This is funny to me because I consider myself a music connoisseur. No one tells me they don't like my music. I tell them. I'm the music snob!!!

I was a DJ at the underground radio station at my university for a few semesters and was exposed to every type of music imaginable: blues, jazz, ambient, Japanese pop, indie rock, punk, underground rap, etc. I even enjoy pop hits because of my love for dancing. I have a vast CD collection and all of my friends keep me stocked with the latest up-and-coming artists.

So i laughed out loud when the students were brutally critiquing MY music. I tried to meet them in the middle and pick pop songs I could bear: for instance Cindy Lauper, Madonna, or Coldplay...but they wanted Brittany Spears, Evanescence, and 50 cent....

It is going to be REALLY HARD for me to DOWNGRADE and download Christina Agullera or whatever her name is. But I will do it because I love my students and I want to motivate them to learn English. Also, taller is a time for creativity. I do not want to force my students to sing and dance to a song in English they dislike. It's cooler for them to learn the lyrics to the music they know.

And I remember middle school and the importance to fit in. If the popular girl in my taller hates the song, everyone hates it. I only need to please the popular kids to please the entire class!

Hopefully though, I will help them to expand their narrow music tastes beyond Maroon 5 and Linkin Park! My one request is that they like the Beatles before December!