Tune In to English
How Music Can Be Your Language Learning Superpower
Learning English can sometimes feel like a long journey, but guess what? You have a super fun tool to help you: music!
Listening to and working with songs can make learning English much easier and more enjoyable. It's not just about listening; it's about really getting involved with the music. This can make a big difference in how quickly you learn.
Think about those songs that you just can't get out of your head. They're so catchy, they play over and over. We call these earworms🪱 . They make a song go around and around in your brain!
That's exactly why music is so good for learning!
When a song has a good tune, interesting words, and a nice rhythm, it makes it much easier to remember. You might find it hard to remember a phrase from a textbook, but if it's in a song, it's much more likely to stay with you.
So, how does music actually help you learn English? Let's look at some ways:
Building Your Vocabulary: Songs are full of new words and phrases. They often use everyday language, so you learn how people really talk. Listening to different types of music means you'll hear different kinds of words, from simple ones to more complicated ones. For example, you might learn words like "happy," "sad," or "love" in pop songs, or maybe words like "dream," "believe," or "forever" in other kinds of music.
Practising Pronunciation: Singing along to songs is a great way to get better at pronunciation. Listen carefully to how native English speakers say words and try to copy them. This helps your mouth get used to making the right sounds.
Learning Grammar Without Even Trying: Songs don't teach you grammar rules directly, but they show you how grammar works in real life. You start to understand how sentences are put together just by listening. For example, you might hear how to use "I went" or "I have been" in a song.
Getting to Know English-Speaking Cultures: Music is a big part of any culture. Listening to English songs helps you learn about the cultures, values, and ways of life in English-speaking countries. This is important for understanding how people communicate.
Improving Your Listening Skills: Listening to music regularly helps you get better at understanding different sounds and accents. This is really helpful for improving your listening comprehension.
Making Learning Fun: Learning a language should be fun! Music makes it more enjoyable and less stressful. It's a great way to relax and still be learning.
Using Earworms 🪱 to Your Advantage:
Earworms 🪱 can be your secret weapon! Here’s how to use them:
Pick Your Music: Try different kinds of music. Pop is good for everyday words. Rock can have more interesting language. Folk music often tells stories. Find what you like!
Listen Carefully: Don't just have music playing in the background. Try to follow the words and understand what they mean. You can find song lyrics online.
Sing Along! Don't be embarrassed! Singing helps your pronunciation and helps you remember words.
Look at the Words: After you know a song well, look at the lyrics. Find new words and learn what they mean. Try to use them yourself.
Focus on Phrases: Pay attention to words or phrases that are repeated in the song. These are often common phrases people use.
Make Flashcards: Write new words on flashcards. This helps you remember them better.
Don't Worry About Mistakes: It's okay to make mistakes when you sing or try to understand the words. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the music.
Types of Music to Try:
Here are some styles of music you can try:
Pop: Good for modern words and phrases. Think of artists like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, or Dua Lipa.
Rock: Often uses more complicated words. Bands like The Beatles, Queen, or Radiohead are good to listen to.
Folk: Great for stories. Artists like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, or Mumford & Sons are good examples.
Indie: Often uses creative language. Try bands like The Lumineers, Florence + The Machine, or Bon Iver.
Jazz: Introduces more complex language. Listen to Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, or Miles Davis.
Hip Hop/Rap: Good for rhythm, rhymes, and modern slang. Artists like Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, or Cardi B can be helpful, but remember that some words might be informal.
Music doesn't just help with formal English learning; it can also spark creativity!
I enjoy writing short stories from time to time, and recently, a song about a mole living in a hole became an earworm for me.
The simple image and rhythm of the song inspired me to write a whole story about a mole's adventures.
It just goes to show how even a silly song can trigger your imagination and lead to something creative and new.
So… using music can make learning English more fun and easier. Go put on your headphones, choose some music you like, and start learning!