‘’Music is not to hear, it is to feel’’ said a wise man. And we couldn’t agree more!
We also believe that music can help us learn. It can make the process more fun and enjoyable.
If you started learning languages when you were a child, your teacher has probably used music as one of the resources, but this doesn’t mean that adults can’t learn English with songs too.
In case you haven’t yet started taking classes in English language, Justlearn platform is a great way to learn. There’s a wide range of English native speakers that you can choose from and start learning today.
After you’ve checked that box and you have someone to help you, there is definitely so many other resources that you can do on your own to improve your English language skills:
- Watch movies
- Watch TV shows
- Visit an English speaking country
- Listen to music!
There are, of course, more ways to learn English, but today we’d like to talk about the power of music, this universal language that is adored around the globe, which connects people from Africa and Europe, South America and Australia…
So can you learn English with songs?
Our answer is yes, thousand times yes, and here are our reasons, tips and favourite songs.
Reasons to learn English with Songs
Improve your vocabulary
The best way to learn English words is within context. If you listen to Taylor Swift’s popular song Shake it Off, you will definitely understand in depth the meaning of this phrasal verb (of shake) that means to: ‘’successfully deal with or recover from’’. There are so many pop songs with this unique and personal approach to life which can all help you memorize English words.
Practice your listening skills
Not only that you will pick up new words with songs, but you will also get better at listening in English. Maybe some songs are not very understandable the first time, but after you get your ear more used to it, the lyrics will come more naturally to you.
Perfect your pronunciation
We have the music producers to thank for giving us such catchy pop songs that you just cannot get outside your head. We have all been there, with our favourite songs stuck in our heads, right? Well, these are great news for our English language learning, because we get to listen to native speakers and correct our pronunciation if needed following their example.
Learn slangs
The best way to speak like native speakers is to adopt their vocabulary. Apart from the common vocabulary, there are so many English words that they don’t teach you in school, like popular slang. But there is always music to help you with the missing parts.
It’s fun
It may not sound like a good reason, but if you are motivated enough and if you enjoy the language learning process, you have much more chance to be great at it.
Related article: Sing Your Way to Fluency: 5 Modern Songs For Learning English Grammar
Tips to learn English with Songs
Online Videos with Lyrics
The best website for this is definitely Youtube. It is also good because it gathers your favourite songs with lyrics, so you can sing along and check for unfamiliar words. You just need to type the name of the singer, their song and add word lyrics, for example The Cure – Friday I’m in love lyrics.
Lyrics Gaps Exercises
This is a great way to learn as well. You get to practice your listening skills and pick up new words at the same time.
‘’If I were a boy
I think I could ____________
How it feels to love a girl
I ________ I’d be a better man’’
Check the websites below for more similar exercises:
http://www.learnenglish-online.com/listening/music.html
https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-worksheets/search/lyrics
Karaoke night
One the most fun ways to learn English with songs is to organize a karaoke night, or to go to one in your local bar. You don’t need to be gifted, you don’t need to know the lyrics, but that will be a night to remember. And English words that you learn that night will be stuck in your head forever.
Songs to help you learn
Justin Timberlake, Can’t Stop the Feeling
Pharrell Williams, Happy
Rihanna, Love on the Brain
The Cure, Friday I’m in Love
Miley Cyrus, Jolene cover
Ed Sheeran, Shape of You
Ariana Grande, Into You
Taylor Swift, Shake it Off
How to learn English with songs?
Choose a song that you like, find online video with lyrics, look up unknown words and sing the song, perfect your pronunciation and learn slang.
Does listening to songs in English improve my language skills?
By listening to songs in English you can improve your vocabulary, practice your listening skills,
Is slang from English songs wildly used in ordinary speech?
The singers use both common vocabulary and popular slang, which is used by native speakers in everyday conversations.
Where can I find songs for learning English?
The best website for learning English with songs is YouTube. Here you can both listen to the songs and read the lyrics.
What is the best way to improve my listening skills in English?
To improve listening skills, it is a good idea to watch movies and TV shows, visit an English speaking country and listen to music.
