LANGUAGE IS MUSIC. So why shouldn't we learn a language with music? You may find the answer in the text below...
To many people across the globe, music is an important part of
everyday life. Whether Flamenco in Sevilla, opera in Milan, techno in Munich or
American pop in Los Angeles, music brings people together and helps define
unique cultures.
In addition to its cultural importance, many studies have found
that music plays a key role in early language acquisition and can also help
boost language learning. Neurologists have found that musical and language
processing occurs in the same area of the brain, and there appear to be
parallels in how musical and linguistic syntax are processed (Maess &
Koelsch, 2001).
Inside the classroom, music can be a great way to motivate
students of all levels to learn new world languages and help them practice
grammar, retain vocabulary and improve pronunciation.
The benefits of using music as a tool for second language
acquisition are extensive. First and foremost, songs teach linguistic elements,
such as vocabulary, grammar and syntax. Through learning lyrics, students’
vocabulary can quickly become more advanced, and singing phrases can lead to
better vocabulary recall. Songs can also prove helpful in learning
paralinguistic and extra linguistic elements, including accents and tones,
helping to improve pronunciation and comprehension of the language.
Most importantly, music helps connect students with new cultures
and opens up a whole new world, just one of the reasons why songs are an
important element of teaching world languages. They are an infinite number of
songs that discuss culturally relevant topics, such as human relations, ethics,
customs, history and humour, as well as regional and cultural differences.
These songs can help teach language and culture simultaneously.
Here are just a few ways music can benefit your students in
world language learning:
- Songs often use
a conversational tone, including day-to-day vocabulary and lots of
personal pronouns
- Lyrics are often
repetitive, which help students understand the global comprehension of the
oral text
- The rhythm, as
well as the repetition in songs, help reinforce vocabulary, as well as
some grammatical structures, without rote memorization
- Songs are open
to discussion and to several interpretations, which can serve as
conversation-starters (in language of course!)
- Rhythmic elements
could help reinforce the prosody of the target language
Barbara Sicot
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