Although many people hear, “All the lonely Starbucks lovers,” the correct line is, “Got a long list of ex-lovers.” (Although people might seem lonely in Starbucks, there is no such thing as Starbucks lovers.)Īnother great example comes from The Eurythmics’ famous titular lyric, “Sweet dreams are made of these.” People mishear it as “Sweet dreams are made of cheese.” (Maybe some people’s dreams are, but that’s not what the band meant!) The subtext matters Taylor Swift’s song “Blank Space” is famous for this. Lyrics are easy to mishearĮven native speakers mishear lyrics. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you develop your listening skills. When you parrot songs (= repeat words and phrases blindly), you can learn phrases that don’t exist, use wrong grammar, or even offend people. Drawbacks of listening to music in EnglishĪs much fun as it can be to listen to English songs, it’s not a perfect method. The more music you listen to and understand, the easier it will be to talk about it with both native and non-native English speakers. Music is a great conversation topic to discuss with people around you. Lots of varietyīecause singers from different regions and countries often pronounce words differently, music can help you recognize words you already know from a variety of voices. Though you might understand only 25% of the lyrics in the beginning, you’ll gradually improve your listening to 50%, then 75%, and so on. The more you hear the same words, the more likely it is that you will remember and be able to use them. Most songs are less than 5 minutes long and are available to listen to while you drive, commute, or shop. ![]() You can also check out Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 best music videos. If you’re looking for a good place to start, some of our favorites are “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” by Beyonce, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana, and “Hello” by Adele. ![]() Sometimes music videos will add the context you need to solidify your new vocabulary. Many of these apps allow you to follow the lyrics as you’re listening to the song, so you can associate the sound with the spelling of the words. Lyrics are widely available on the Internet and in streaming apps. Not even native speakers understand every word in a song, so don’t feel bad if it’s hard at first. The more you’re exposed to new vocabulary, the easier it is to understand in context. Like reading and watching movies, music is a good source of words and phrases that you might not otherwise hear. ![]() Some people even learn best while moving to the beat (= dancing)! Lots of new vocabulary While auditory learners connect to the sounds, visual learners enjoy music videos, and kinesthetic learners connect to the rhythm. Learners with varying styles can use English songs to improve listening skills. It brings exposure to many new voices, lots of fresh vocabulary, and better comprehension through repeat listens. Music can be a fun, low-stress way to develop your listening in English. The benefits of listening to music in English In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of using music to improve listening, illustrate with funny English song examples, and end with a 5-step guide for making the best of music as a learning tool. You’ve likely listened while visiting a shopping center, buying food in the supermarket, or enjoying a drink at the bar, so why not use it to your advantage? After all, English-language rock, pop, and hip hop music are played in a variety of settings around the world. ![]() If your goal is to improve your English listening, music is a natural first step.
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