Music and movies are not only a way to relax after work but also a pleasant backdrop for everyday activities. They help to learn foreign languages faster and easier.
Everyone who is just starting to learn foreign languages is looking for a kind of magic wand that will help you learn the language faster and with less effort. Music and films are just one of those “magic wands”.
How exactly does music help to learn foreign languages?
Stimulates mental activity
The so-called “Mozart effect” is a well-proven scientific fact. Listening to classical music, in particular, Mozart increases the efficiency of intellectual activity, memory, and concentration. Classical music helps to better assimilate grammar, memorize new words and their spelling. It is not necessary to study a foreign language with music – you just need to listen to it before class for at least 5-10 minutes. Or read bilingual books while you are listening to classical music.
Helps to get used to the melody of a foreign language
Research shows that people who have listened to a foreign language before starting to learn a language do better than those who have not heard the sound of that language before. Listening to music in a foreign language helps to get used to the sound of the language and its melody.
In this regard, everything is easier with the English language, but those who are going to learn more “exotic” languages, for example, Norwegian, Finnish, Korean or Japanese, should first find and listen to music selections in the respective languages.
This is so helpful when you’re going to teach your kids a foreign language. We all know that bilingual children’s books are maybe the best way to teach a foreign language. So you can buy a book and sing with your kid and with this raise a bilingual baby.
Lets you learn idioms and slang
Contemporary music in the target language is a real treasure trove of idioms (set expressions) and slang. It is these linguistic elements that help to understand and speak in a “living”, and not “alphabetical” language.
Helps to learn everyday vocabulary and colloquial expressions
The lyrics use the very vocabulary that will come in handy in everyday communication. These are adjectives and verbs for describing feelings and actions, various “fashionable” words, and colloquial expressions. A lot of useful words can be gleaned from the songs if you choose the right repertoire.
How exactly do films help to learn foreign languages?
Films help to improve language at all.
“Movies are merely for enjoyment,” you explain, “and songs are required to have a nice time or to break the silence.” And you’ll be both correct and incorrect at the same time. Yes, this is all entertainment content. Only if you look in your own language. If you do this in English, watching your favorite movie already develops into learning. Believe me, this training is not one of the easiest. But it can help you take your English to the next level.
Films help to improve pronunciation
Want to get rid of your accent? Act like students of language departments: listen to the foreign speech as much as possible, repeat what you listened to, and copy intonation. Aspiring linguists and translators work on pronunciation in dedicated audio labs, but the same can be done at home.
You can listen to audiobooks, but movies will make this task much easier for you.
For learning the live language.
Often in books, and in some courses, we are asked to learn English, which no one speaks anymore. In modern films, on the contrary, you will find a lot of idioms, phrases that are used in everyday life by natural speakers. And you will immediately learn a normal, living language.
So, while everyone else is racking their brains, memorizing the next word or rule, you will enjoy learning language from songs and movies. You will be able to learn a living language, learn many useful idioms, and will use them every day. The most important thing is to finally hear what foreigners are talking about. This magical method is suitable for those who are just starting to learn a foreign language, as well as for those who want to take it to the next level. In conclusion, learning something, especially language, should be not only a goal but also a hobby. So you have to find a correct and enjoyable way to learn something new. For instance, when you are learning a language, you have to think that this is something like a quest but not a traditional study thing. It means you sure need to read a book while you are studying but read a book which is not like the other books you used to read. These kinds of books are bilingual books. Or if you want to listen to songs, do it another way. Choose another artist, listen to a new song and try to translate it into your native language. Do all the tips we advise and we will promise your study will be as enjoyable as possible.
The Washington Magazine 