At ALOS we know that learning a new language can be a challenge, but there are methods that make it more enjoyable and more effective. One of them is using music as a learning tool and complement. Let’s look at how to get the most out of the chance to polish a language while you listen to your favourite artists.
Music not only makes learning a language more enjoyable, it can also significantly improve your fluency in the language you are learning.
The link between music and memory
Music has a powerful impact on memory. According to a study published in the journal Memory & Cognition, melodies can improve your ability to recall words and phrases in a new language. Catchy, repetitive song lyrics help reinforce vocabulary and grammar, making long-term memorisation easier. In essence, the key is that we tend to memorise words and phrases more easily when they come with a melody. It happens in our own language, where we remember the lyrics of countless songs. And it works the same way with other languages.
Pronunciation and accent
Listening to and singing songs in the language you are learning exposes you to native pronunciation and intonation. Repeating songs helps you become familiar with the sounds of the language, improving your accent and fluency. It is no secret: we improve our pronunciation the more and the better we hear it. Beyond each artist’s accent (the big differences between American and British English, French intonation, and so on), it is very practical to get familiar with how certain words are pronounced, especially unfamiliar ones, by hearing them first-hand.
Widen your vocabulary
Songs tend to use a range of words and idiomatic expressions that are not always found in textbooks. When you listen to music, you are exposed to more colloquial, authentic language. The global popularity of music in English has helped many Spanish learners pick up phrases and idioms used in everyday life. Everyday speech, street speech, one-to-one speech. A way to widen your vocabulary and become more confident.
It gives us cultural context
Music is a window onto the culture of a language. Songs often reflect the values, traditions and experiences of a culture, which lets you learn more about the context in which the language is used. This not only improves your understanding of the language, it also makes you more culturally aware. In recent years we have witnessed the explosion of two musical phenomena closely tied to their cultural roots. On the one hand, reggaeton has crossed the Atlantic (its beginnings go back to the 1990s) to show us how the world is understood from a Latin American perspective: relaxed, bold, mischievous and unconstrained. On the other, the more recent K-pop phenomenon has opened South Korean culture up to the West, revealing its deep-rooted traditions and its ways of understanding life and entertainment.
All right, but… let’s get practical!
- Create themed playlists: Put together playlists with songs about the specific topics you are studying. For example, if you are learning vocabulary related to emotions, look for songs about love, sadness and joy.
- Karaoke in the language you are studying: Taking part in karaoke sessions in the language you are learning is an excellent way to practise pronunciation and have fun at the same time. You will need to set embarrassment aside and let yourself go, but it is well worth it.
- Analysing lyrics: Pick a song you like, find the lyrics and translate them. Try to understand each line and how the sentences are built. This will also help you understand double meanings, metaphors and non-literal translation.
Some useful resources
- LyricsTraining: An app that lets you listen to songs and fill in the missing lyrics. This improves both your ear and your comprehension. You can download it HERE.
- Spotify and YouTube: Create playlists of songs in the language you are learning. Here you have HERE one of the most popular English-language music playlists on Spotify.
- MusiXmatch: An app that displays song lyrics as you listen. It is useful for following the words and understanding songs better in real time.
Time to listen to some music!
Music is an ideal tool for improving your fluency in a new language. It not only makes learning more enjoyable, it also reinforces memory, improves pronunciation, widens vocabulary and provides valuable cultural context. By working music into your study routine, you can make language learning more effective and more fun. So next time you want to improve your fluency, put on your favourite song and sing! And remember that it is a superb complement to studying with us whichever language you like: at your own pace, with the timetable and methodology you want, with the highest teaching quality and at a single price, from 9 euros an hour.