Language learning is a fun and educational way to develop your skills.
Watching music videos, reading original lyrics, and guessing the languages in context are all effective tools when you learn languages with music.
What are the benefits when you learn languages with music?
Listening to music is actually an effective language learning method.
According to a study done for elementary school children, their musical aptitude helps build second language pronunciation skills.
For example, children have better vocabulary banks than people who didn’t grow up with musical influences.
Due to the repetition of words, children can identify objects faster than the average person.
Moreso, if these are foreign songs, they have a better analysis of context clues with a foreign language on video.
Impact of music through different languages around the world
It isn’t hard to hear a foreign song on the radio nowadays. Wherever you go, you may have already been hearing catchy tunes by either a Korean boy group (BTS) or a Spanish song with a remix on it that includes Justin Bieber, Camilla Cabello or whoever.
But even back then, there were many popular Spanish, Italian, and German songs that were loved by millions of people around the world.
You may have heard of the songs Asereje by Las Ketchup (Spanish), 99 Luftballons by Nena (German), or even the famous Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) by Domenico Modugno.
These songs even top the Billboard charts, so it’s definitely not a trash song just because it’s pop.
Music is a way of expression through lyrics and is a very effective memory tool (Mnemonics) that unites people around the world.
Where to learn languages with music
Starting your language learning journey is easy. Even daily news articles of your target language will help you achieve that native language level in no time.
If you’re learning a new language from scratch, foreign language music is your best option.
Here are our other recommendations which are both free and paid tools.
Through Youtube
Did you know that you can press the CC button to check if there are English subtitles? These subtitles are a good guide to language learning, especially if you watch music videos.
You can even check if there are translations to other languages. You will enjoy that good boost in language skills while you’re
Youtube also has dedicated playlists to music only in that language you’re trying to learn.
If you like to listen to Youtube in the background and learn languages while on the go, they also have a Youtube premium version for $11.99 a month.
Spotify has the original lyrics
A good feature of Spotify is including the original language lyrics of that song you’re listening too.
Although it doesn’t include the translation, this is a great choice for both Native speakers and beginners to enjoy the
Spotify also helps identify similar songs that you’ve heard. So, if you want more songs to continue learning and listening to German, Italian, or French, expect suggestions from this wonderful music streaming app.
The best news about listening to Spotify is that it is free. But, expect advertisements in between songs. There are chances that you’ll encounter a 30-second ad-free option for 5 songs or more.
Ad-free Spotify is available for $9.99/month if you live in the US or £9.99/month for those living in the United Kingdom.
Online language learning websites with your target language
A serious language learner should make the effort to try all means of learning a language.
So, if you are a music lover, you can find apps that will help you learn a language through music on both Apple and Android.
There are also language tips that include pronunciation, grammar, and even verb tenses.
If this is your language learning strategy, here are other effective language techniques that boost your language skills.
Some of the most notable websites where you will feel like you’ve signed up for language classes are:
- LyricsGap
- LyricsTraining
- LanguagesThroughMusic
- Lirica.io
- Sounter
- FluentU
You can try to research more music language learning websites on any search engine. You won’t run out of things to find!
From your friend
One of the common mistakes people do when learning a language is having to pay thousands of dollars to become a native English-speaking person or any other language.
If you want to avoid incorrect lyrics, having a friend that
Using lyrics to understand the languages
Popular songs often have song lyrics in English. If you’re lucky, foreign songs have an English translation together with the actual foreign lyrics.
Korean language learners are happy to know that since 2008, K-pop has been diligently managed by K-pop lovers all over the world. So you won’t miss out on what they’re actually saying.
Many pop songs have repetitive lyrics though. If you like to dig deeper into a country’s culture, check out songs with a theme or concept that revolve around philosophies, culture, tradition (or breaking traditions), and other mind-boggling songs.
It helps your daily dose of language learning if you can identify what the song is about without even knowing the meaning of the lyrics first.
Music videos tend to help give context clues, so it’s better to watch foreign songs that has a music video.
Music transcends all languages
You don’t need to trouble yourself with all of the complex grammar rules or even go to the country just to immerse in the linguistic sounds of a foreign language.
You will definitely hear differences between the sounds of different countries.
If you’re like me, you will try to listen first to actual speech rather than researching knowledge for pronunciation. Besides, that will take away the fun of learning and listening.
