The efficacy of singing in foreign-language learning

Arla Good · Frank Russo · Jennifer Sullivan

103 citations0/0 files storedPsychology of Music

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EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning Diverse Music Education Insights Second Language Acquisition and Learning

Abstract

This study extends the popular notion that memory for text can be supported by song to foreign-language learning. Singing can be intrinsically motivating, attention focusing, and simply enjoyable for learners of all ages. The melodic and rhythmic context of song enhances recall of native text; however, there is limited evidence that these benefits extend to foreign text. In this study, Spanish-speaking Ecuadorian children learned a novel English passage for 2 weeks. Children in a sung condition learned the passage as a song and children in the spoken condition learned the passage as an oral poem. Children were tested on their ability to recall the passage verbatim, pronounce English vowel sounds, and translate target terms from English to Spanish. As predicted, children in the sung condition outperformed children in the spoken condition in all three domains. The song advantage persevered after a 6-month delay. Findings have important implications for foreign language instruction.

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References

2000What Is Hard to Learn Is Easy to Forget: The Roles of Word Concreteness, Cognate Status, and Word Frequency in Foreign‐Language Vocabulary Learning and Forgetting 1998Effects of Learning Method and Word Type on Acquiring Vocabulary in an Unfamiliar Language 2006Effects of Stimulus Characteristics and Background Music on Foreign Language Vocabulary Learning and Forgetting 2008Using Music to Support the Literacy Development of Young English Language Learners

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2019Addressing Linguistic Diversity in the Language Classroom in a Resource‐Oriented Way: An Intervention Study With Primary School Children 2019Music in the Foreign Language Classroom: How and Why?2016Singing and arts activities in support of foreign language learning: an exploratory study 2020Indigenous youth reconnect with cultural identity: The evaluation of a community‐ and school‐based traditional music program 2020Learning grammar through singing? An intervention with EFL primary school learners 2018Combining Song—And Speech-Based Language Teaching: An Intervention With Recently Migrated Children 2024Embodied music training can help improve speech imitation and pronunciation skills 2022

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