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Today’s students often find themselves surrounded by various visual and audio “distractors.” While these might seem to take away from valuable homework time, they can actually play a crucial role in language acquisition. Music, films, and series, three of the most popular forms of entertainment, can significantly enhance English fluency when used effectively. But how exactly do they contribute to language learning?
The Benefits of Music in Language Learning
Several studies have shown that music in educational environments plays a pivotal role, particularly when students enjoy and can relate to the material. Also, lyrics can serve as examples of sentence patterns and proper vocabulary pronunciation and songs can be used as both listening and speaking exercises. For instance, one engaging classroom activity is the “gap-fill” exercise, where students receive a handout with song lyrics that one of their classmates has selected, but with some of their words omitted. Their task is to fill in the missing words and then sing along and mimic the rhythm of the song, which often reflects the natural rhythm of the language. This activity hones their listening and speaking skills while also providing an opportunity to learn more about their classmates’ musical preferences.
Music’s extraordinary impact on memory is also worth noting. Due to its catchy and repetitive nature, music aids in linguistic recall, as noted by Dr. Tim Murphey, a professor of English at Kanda University of International Studies. He explains that this is due to the similarities between songs and typical conversations in the target language. It should come as no surprise, then, that we often find ourselves repeating words and phrases in English that we’ve heard somewhere, even if we can’t remember where.
The Influence of Films and Series on Language Learning
Films have been a part of our culture since December 28, 1895, when the Lumière brothers presented the first commercial movie screening in Paris. Accessing films and series has become incredibly easy, leading many students to engage in binge-watching on TVs, laptops, tablets, and phones. Before we reprimand them for watching too much instead of doing something more “productive,” it is important to explore the tremendous benefits that watching films and series can have on second language acquisition.
Authentic language exposure, including diverse accents and dialects, aids learners in developing listening comprehension skills and adapting to different forms of spoken English. Rodríguez and Moreno (2009) emphasize that watching films and series improves the ability to recognize different accents and informal speech. Thus, the common complaint among students about not understanding what actors say without native language subtitles is somewhat justified if they lack exposure to diverse films and series.
Another critical aspect is vocabulary expansion and natural speech practice. Sharma (2015) observed that those who regularly watch films and series in the target language show improved pronunciation and greater confidence when speaking English. A useful strategy is to assign a film or an episode of a series each week, which not only reinforces the language benefits mentioned, but it also provides material for classroom discussion. In my experience, students are eager to express their thoughts and opinions on what they have watched, and they often relate to the adolescent protagonists in these films and series. This connection can be comforting, as students see that others are going through similar situations, whether it’s a heartbreak, a whirlwind romance, or a fallout with their parents.
Conclusion
While it might be easy to blame students’ poor performance or boredom on what seems to distract them, it is crucial to consider how these distractions can actually be advantageous. Both Ismaili (2013) and Zilber (2018) discussed the motivation, engagement, and memorable moments students experience when they are involved in watching and listening as part of their language learning process.
P.S.: Should You Use English Subtitles?
For intermediate learners, using English subtitles is a highly effective method to boost comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and listening skills simultaneously.
References
- Grimm, S. (2020). Language Learning from the Developmental and Neurocognitive Perspective: An Examination of the Impact of Music on Second Language Acquisition. Honors College Theses. 58. https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/honorstheses/58.
- Ismaili, M. (2013). The effectiveness of using movies in the EFL classroom. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2(4), 121-126.
- Murphey, T. (1990). The Song Stuck in My Head Phenomenon: A Melodic Din in the LAD? System, 18(1), 53-64.
- Rieb, C. A. (2018). The Impact of Music on Language Acquisition. Honors Capstones. 1205.
- Rodríguez, J., & Moreno, F. (2009). The effects of films on EFL learners. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 1(1), 88-97.
- Sharma, D. (2015). Enhancing English pronunciation skills through film. International Journal of English and Education, 4(3), 118-124.
- Stephens, J., & Allard, S. (2013). Pronunciation models in film. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 35(3), 337-364.
- Zilber, E. (2018). Music and language: Exploring the relationship between music and second language acquisition. Journal of Language and Education, 4(2), 54-63.
Danai Stavropoulou, MA in Applied Linguistics/TESOL, BA in English Language and Literature, is the Director of English Studies at The English School, dedicated to empowering students through language education.
