Learning English can be fun, especially when using music.
Songs can help English learners and ESL students improve listening skills, pronunciation, and vocabulary while making the learning process enjoyable. Music allows learners to engage with the language in a natural and stress-free way.
This article explores how to use songs effectively and recommends music that can support English learning.
Why Learn English with Music?
Music is a powerful tool for language learning. Here’s why:
- Improves listening skills – Songs expose learners to natural pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation used by native speakers.
- Enhances pronunciation – Singing along helps practice difficult sounds, stress patterns, and intonation, which are key to speaking clearly.
- Makes learning enjoyable – Music is entertaining and keeps learners motivated, reducing stress and frustration often associated with traditional learning methods.
- Introduces new vocabulary – Lyrics contain useful words, phrases, and idiomatic expressions commonly used in everyday conversation.
- Aids memory – Melodies help learners remember words and phrases more effectively than memorization alone.
- Provides cultural insights – Songs reflect the culture and emotions of native speakers, helping learners understand language in context.
- Catchy tune – A catchy tune makes songs more memorable and engaging, aiding in understanding and retention of English.
By incorporating songs into daily practice, learners can develop their English skills in an enjoyable way.
How to Learn English with Songs
1. Choose the Right Songs
Not all songs are ideal for language learning. Choose a good song with clear pronunciation, moderate speed, and simple lyrics. Acoustic, folk, and pop songs often work well. Songs that tell a story or have repetitive structures are particularly useful for reinforcing language patterns.
2. Listen Carefully
Before reading the lyrics, listen to the song multiple times. Try to grasp the general meaning and identify familiar words. Pay attention to how words connect in spoken English and the singer’s intonation.
3. Read the Lyrics
Look up the song lyrics and read along while listening. This helps connect spoken and written words, making them a valuable resource for teaching English as a second language (ESL). Understanding the meaning of the lyrics enhances comprehension and allows learners to engage with the song’s message.
4. Sing Along
Singing along improves pronunciation, fluency, and confidence. Even if mistakes happen, the goal is to practice and become more comfortable with the sounds of English.
5. Focus on Difficult Words
Identify unfamiliar words, look them up, and use them in sentences. Pay attention to contractions, phrasal verbs, and slang expressions commonly used in songs. Repetition will help retain them.
6. Repeat and Practice
Regular exposure to a song makes learning more effective. Listening and singing repeatedly reinforce pronunciation and comprehension. Try to mimic the singer’s pronunciation and intonation as closely as possible.
Recommended Songs for Learning English
1. “Someone Like You” – Adele
- Why? ‘Someone Like You’ by Adele is a perfect song for learning English due to its clear pronunciation and slow pace, making it easy to follow.
- Focus on: Pronouncing past tense verbs such as loved, said, and found.
2. “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran
- Why? Simple lyrics and a clear melody.
- Focus on: Common adjectives like perfect, beautiful, and strong. ‘Perfect’ is particularly well-suited for intermediate students to grasp common adjectives.
3. “Count on Me” – Bruno Mars
- Why? Slow tempo and easy-to-understand lyrics.
- Focus on: Conditional sentences, such as If you ever find yourself lost in the dark, I’ll be the light.
Songs by artists like Justin Bieber, such as ‘One Time’ and ‘Love Yourself,’ can also be effective for learning English, providing vocabulary and grammar practice through relatable and straightforward language.
4. “Imagine” – John Lennon
- Why? Soft, slow melody and meaningful lyrics.
- Focus on: New vocabulary such as heaven, dreamer, and peace. The song ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon also provides a great example of modal verbs, such as “Imagine all the people living life in peace,” where “can” and “will” are implied modal verbs that modify the mood of the verbs, clarifying their meanings related to possibility and hope.
5. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake
- Why? Energetic and fun to sing along with.
- Focus on: Expressions and phrasal verbs like Can’t stop the feeling!, which is an example of the present continuous tense. The structure involves the verb ‘to be’ in the present (can’t) combined with a verb ending in -ing (stop).
6. “More Than Words” – Extreme
- Why? Slow, emotional song with clear pronunciation.
- Focus on: Connected speech, contractions (don’t, won’t), expressing feelings, and practicing irregular verbs. The song ‘More Than Words’ by Extreme is particularly useful for identifying and memorizing irregular verbs in the past simple tense, which is essential for describing completed actions.
7. “A Thousand Years” – Christina Perri
- Why? Slow and emotional, perfect for pronunciation practice.
- Focus on: Future tense, long vowel sounds, and present perfect tense. For example, in the song ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri, the line “I have loved you for a thousand years” uses the present perfect tense to express an ongoing action that started in the past.
8. “My Girl” – The Temptations
- Why? Slow, clear lyrics with easy-to-follow pronunciation.
- Focus on: The song’s lyrics, especially in ‘My Girl’ by The Temptations, are great for educational purposes. They use simple present tense and descriptive adjectives (sunshine, cloudy, honey).
9. “Just the Way You Are” – Bruno Mars
- Why? The lyrics are repetitive, making pronunciation practice easier.
- Focus on: Compliments and positive adjectives (amazing, perfect, beautiful), as well as verb tenses found in the song ‘Just the Way You Are’ by Bruno Mars.
Extra Tips for Learning English with Music
Use Karaoke Apps
Apps like Smule and YouTube Karaoke display lyrics and allow learners to sing along. These apps can provide real-time feedback on pronunciation and pitch.
Watch Music Videos with Subtitles
Many platforms, including YouTube and Spotify, offer lyric subtitles, making it easier to follow along. Watching music videos can also provide visual context, enhancing understanding of the song’s meaning.
Try a Singing Challenge
A 30-day English song challenge, where learners sing one song each day, can build confidence and fluency. Keeping a journal to note down new vocabulary words and phrases from each song can reinforce learning.
Create a Playlist
Making a playlist of English songs ensures constant exposure. Listening while cooking, walking, or commuting makes practice effortless. Having a variety of songs in different genres can keep learning fresh and engaging.
Use Online Lyrics Websites
Websites like LingoClip offer interactive exercises where learners fill in missing words while listening to songs. This helps improve listening skills and vocabulary retention.
Join a Singing Group or Language Exchange
Singing with others, whether in an online karaoke group or a local language exchange meet-up, can boost motivation and make learning more social.
Conclusion
Music is a valuable resource for learning English. It improves listening, pronunciation, and vocabulary while making the process enjoyable.
By choosing the right songs and practicing regularly, learners can make great progress in their language skills. Whether through singing along, analyzing lyrics, or using karaoke apps, there are many ways to integrate music into language learning.
So, what’s the first song you’ll start with today?
