Learning a Foreign Language Through Music and Television: An Effective Method

Introduction

Learning a foreign language can be a daunting task, especially if you are starting from a base in your native language, such as English. However, there are effective methods to enhance your language learning journey. In this article, we will explore how listening to music and watching television with subtitles can significantly improve your pronunciation and overall language proficiency.

Why Music and Television?

The best way to learn the pronunciation of foreign languages from your own native language, English, is to watch TV, especially using closed captioning when available. The words on the screen will provide a second or two of extra processing time if you can read the language. In addition to TV, music, particularly songs with lyrics and good pronunciation, can be a powerful tool. Just as listening to music is a favorite pastime for many, it can also serve as an engaging and effective learning tool.

Music as a Gateway to Language Learning

The method that I developed to learn a new language, in my case Spanish, is rooted in the enjoyment of music. In 1996, at 41 years old, I embarked on learning Spanish while working full-time. I discovered the Mexican rock group MANA, which helped me develop a unique approach to language learning. Here are the steps I followed to achieve fluency in less than two years:

Step-by-Step Guide to Language Fluency

Listen to the Music While Reading the Lyrics: Start by listening to the music and reading the lyrics. This helps you familiarize yourself with the phonetics. Even if you do not understand all the words, focus on how they sound. Listen to an album several times to ensure you know the word order and pronunciation. Shut Off the Music and Write the Lyrics in English: After you've listened to the music a few times, turn off the music and write out the lyrics on a college-ruled piece of paper, leaving one space between each lyric line. Then, write out the English translation between the lyric lines. This practice helps you begin to leave English behind but allows you to rely on it as a crutch if needed. Listen to the Songs Again for Comprehension: Listen to the songs again, now knowing what the songs are about and understanding the words. This step enhances your comprehension of the language beyond just pronunciation. Sing the Songs with the Music Playing: Sing along with the music, trying to copy the singer's accent and pronunciation as closely as possible. This helps you memorize the words and get used to the natural flow of the language. Move to Another Album and Observe Familiar Phrases: After finishing with one album, move on to another one. You will quickly notice that key phrases and constructions you know have been written into the lyrics of the new songs. This reinforces and expands your vocabulary. Watch Soap Operas and Soap Novelas: In addition to music, watching soap operas can be a great way to learn. These cheesy, contrived stories provide a rich and clear dialogue that can help you gain a quick understanding of the language. Watching them with Spanish subtitles can be a useful tool to gauge your progress. Use a Children's Spanish-Only Dictionary: As your vocabulary grows, start using a Spanish-only dictionary to help you learn the language more comprehensively. This helps you transition from English-Spanish dictionaries to only using Spanish for your learning process. Speak in Spanish with Everyone: As your vocabulary and confidence grow, start speaking in Spanish with anyone and everyone. Most Spanish speakers will be gracious and helpful, and you'll find that they are also learning English, which can be motivating. Read Books, Newspapers, and Magazines: Finally, read books, newspapers, and magazines. The more you practice reading and writing in Spanish, the better you will become.

Conclusion

Through the use of music and television, you can learn a foreign language in a fun and engaging way. These methods have helped me achieve fluency in Spanish, and I hope they can help you on your language learning journey as well. Embrace the journey and enjoy the process!