Singing Enthusiasts’ Guide to Learning English

In my last article, I shared various techniques to enhance your English skills in pronunciation, grammar, writing, and speaking. Recently, I had a thought: What if we could practice all these skills in a fun and unconventional way?

One effective way to learn English is through singing. This approach is particularly advantageous for those who enjoy belting tunes, whether in the shower or at karaoke with friends. Engaging with the language in a fun and enjoyable manner not only makes the learning process more pleasant but also enhances retention, compared to the drudgery of rote memorization and repetitive grammar drills.

How to learn English with music: expert tips from Bob the Canadian

Music is an incredible resource for learning languages! To gain deeper insights, we consulted an expert: Bob the Canadian. If you’re unfamiliar with him, Bob is a dedicated high school teacher from Ontario, renowned for his engaging YouTube videos aimed at English learners. With over 460,000 subscribers, his channel is a go-to for many. Here’s Bob’s perspective on the role of music in language learning:

I’m a huge advocate for using music as a powerful tool for language learning, and I highly recommend it! One of the best aspects of music is how effortlessly you can sing along to your favorite songs over and over, making it far more enjoyable than reading a text aloud multiple times. Plus, you can listen to a song 100 or even 1000 times and still find joy in it, which isn’t the case with audiobooks—our brains simply don’t engage the same way. Music truly opens up a world of language learning! To maximize this experience, be sure to print out the lyrics and follow along. This way, you’ll grasp the meaning behind the words, which can sometimes be a challenge even for native speakers like myself!

One of the great advantages of music is its versatility as a study tool. Unlike other English study methods, which might not be suitable for certain situations, music can easily fit into your daily routine. For example, at work, you probably wouldn’t announce, “I’m going to read this English book!”—that might not sit well with your boss. However, listening to music is often more acceptable and can enhance your learning even in a professional environment!

For more great insights from Bob, check out our Q&A interview with him here:

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What English Songs Should You Sing?

The key to learning English through music is to choose songs you enjoy, particularly those with meaningful lyrics. Avoid tracks that lack substance or are hard to grasp. Genres like country, jazz, and blues are excellent options, along with select pop songs. Artists such as Madonna, Sting, Michael Jackson, and Adele offer great choices that can enhance your language skills while keeping you entertained.

And if you want to improve your listening comprehension, classic songs are a great choice.

It’s important to recognize that many modern song lyrics frequently incorporate contractions, abbreviated word forms, and slang that are typically found in everyday conversation. This gives the music a relatable and informal feel, connecting with listeners in a way that feels authentic and familiar.

To enhance your grammar skills and broaden your vocabulary, consider printing the song lyrics along with their translation. This way, you won’t waste time searching for the meaning of unfamiliar words; instead, you can deduce their meanings from the context. Singing purely by ear might lead to misunderstandings and memorizing lyrics inaccurately. Therefore, having the lyrics in front of you while you sing is essential for clarity and comprehension.

There are some good sites where you can use songs to study English. Here are a few:

•         Lyricstraining.com
•         Agendaweb.org
•         Lyricsgaps.com

Diversify your approach to learning English with music and songs.

Dedicate at least 30 minutes each day to practicing on these websites. Engage with songs and complete the exercises, and you’ll quickly see a noticeable improvement in your English skills.

Resources for Children Who Love to Sing

If your child, younger brother, or nephew enjoys a variety of songs and cartoons, you have a fantastic chance to introduce English into their entertainment. Learning English can be enjoyable and engaging, rather than dull! Explore these YouTube channels for fun and easy songs and cartoons that will make language learning a delightful experience:

•         Maple Leaf Learning
•         Rhymes songs
•         Nursery Rhymes
•         Muffin songs
•         StoryBots
•         Super Simple Songs
•         Kids Magic
•         Gogo

These channels are always adding new songs, and often they are connected with holidays like Halloween, Christmas, Easter, etc.

Introduce your children to the joy of learning a foreign language through engaging English songs! Discover how enjoyable and entertaining studying English can be—experience it for yourself!

If you are looking for a tutor for your child, you can find one here.

Good luck!