Foreign Language and Music, The Perfect Blend

I have long been a fan of the Cantonese language but have struggled to study it. Its figurative idioms and clarity of sound are fascinating yet difficult to be grasped. Sensing my struggle, my mother, who isn't a native Cantonese speaker as well, shared her learning experience with me. Growing up in the Golden Age of Cantopop during the 70s, she learned the language quickly through the songs and thus recommended this convenient method to anyone who is striving at a new language.

As I checked out the songs, I realized some extraordinary benefits in employing music in the language learning process. For one, if the learner fully appreciates the music, he or she is likely to be thoroughly engaged in the language environment, facilitating active learning. When encountering unknown words in the song, the learner is much more motivated to find out its connotation in order to complete the significance of the lyrics. Additionally, when it comes to figuring out proper pronunciations in a new language, songs also serve as a great guide, since singers typically perform in languages that they have a good understanding of. I found it fairly easy to pick up the pronunciation of words especially when I read the lyrics simultaneously. Singing out loud with the music is extremely helpful, too; it is far more interesting and enjoyable than speaking practice in traditional classroom settings. Moreover, this musical method also allows language learners to reinforce their knowledge anytime and anywhere. With portable electronic devices, quick access to music is ensured and thus one may listen to the language with the greatest possible efficiency and convenience.

Of course, it is easy to take the method a step further. Ever since I started to listen to Cantonese songs, I have attended Cantopop concerts in Hong Kong several times. I cherished the opportunities to not only enjoy the live musical environment, but also to examine my progress. At these occasions, I felt fulfilled with my ultimate goal of the language journey, as I was surrounded by Cantonese speakers and immersed in the best of its popular culture. I know my connection with the culture could not have been made without the music, and I know my mother’s method could be used by any language learner who appreciates music.