For many language learners, music is one of the most enjoyable ways to practise listening skills.
But more than that, using English songs to learn the language can also help you improve vocabulary, pronunciation and understanding of everyday expressions.
However, not every English language song is equally helpful. So choosing the right music makes a significant difference when it comes to how much you can actually learn from it.
What Makes A Song Good For Learning English?
The best English songs to learn the language usually share a few important features.
Firstly, the singer’s pronunciation needs to be clear, without a heavy accent and the song should also have a slow to mid tempo to it. Learners need enough time to recognise words and understand the structure of a sentence before the lyrics move on.
Songs with lyrics that repeat are a big help as choruses and recurring phrases reinforce new vocabulary and make the words easier to recall. Also music that includes natural sentence patterns are also very useful as they reflect how people actually speak in real life.
English songs with lyrics that tell a simple story or focus on familiar themes such as travel or relationships can help learners follow the narrative of the song and sing along to it.
Last of all, a catchy tune also helps vocabulary stick too. We all know what it’s like to get a song stuck in your head and they are the best kind for language learning.
Common Challenges In Learning English Through Songs
While songs are a powerful language learning tool, English music in particular presents some challenges.
For starters, English spelling and pronunciation do not always match. Therefore, especially for beginners, this can make it difficult to recognise words just by listening alone.
Depending on which English speaking country they’re from, songs also often include slang, idioms, phrasal verbs and sometimes swearing. Which of course tends not to be covered in most standard learning materials.
Fast paced lyrics obviously make language comprehension harder, as do cultural references that require additional context to fully understand the meaning.
Genres to avoid are rap and hip hop as they often have very fast lyrics and complex wordplay. Heavy rock or metal can also be hard as vocals may be distorted or shouted. That doesn’t mean avoiding them forever, particularly if you enjoy those music styles - just don’t start with them.
Song Suggestions For Learning English
Slow ballads such as Perfect by Ed Sheeran, Someone Like You by Adele and Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi are good places to start as they have good enunciation and repetition.
Some songs by modern pop artists can also work well. As It Was by Harry Styles and Levitating by Dua Lipa for example have clear vocals and memorable choruses.
For English language learners who enjoy older classics, songs such as Your Song by Elton John or Let it Be by The Beatles are also excellent choices.
Take Your Learning Further
Listening to music is a great way to build confidence with English, but the fastest progress comes when you combine it with real conversation and daily immersion.
With Lingoo, learners can stay with host families or qualified teachers in the UK and experience English through everyday life. From chatting over meals to exploring local culture, you will use the language naturally and can turn the vocabulary you learn in songs into real communication.