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IMPROVING LEARNERS’ COMPREHENSION SKILLS THROUGH SONGS
Tolıbaeva Mehriban Kongratbay qızı, Student of KSU
Scientific advisor: Kudaybergenova Sapura
Annotation:
The article examines the possibilities of using songs as an effective tool in enhancing
skills.This study is divided into theoretical and practical parts.Within the theory,the affects of
music on human div and health.The last section shows the advantages of music in learning and
improving comprehension skills.
Key words:
music, song, English language, learning,brain, stress, sleep, mood, memory
Learning languages is not as easy as people think.If newcomers have a desire to be
professional or would like to reach accuracy and fluency,they should develop their skills.It would
be better to pay attention to productive skills like speaking and writing as well as they do not
neglect the receptive skills such as listening and reading.Because all of these play essential role in
the lives of people.
There are wide range of ways to improve the comprehension skills.One of the most
common one is listening to songs.The reason is that,according to some researches music can
improve your memory and make it easier to remember things.Additionally listening to music can
lower blood pressure and improve ealth.Music helps stabilize mental, physical, and emotional
rhythms, creating a state of deep focus and concentration that allows for efficient learning and
processing of large amounts of information [1]
We completely agree that music helps stabilize mental, physical, and emotional rhythms,
fostering deep focus and concentration. Music has a unique ability to engage the brain, creating a
harmonious state that promotes efficient learning. For instance, calm and rhythmic music can
lower stress levels, improving mental clarity and emotional stability, while upbeat music can
energize the div, making it easier to process and retain information. This makes music a powerful
tool for enhancing productivity, creativity, and overall cognitive function.
1.Murray aptly points out that songs “provide us with a window into a world that is not our
own, a world that we glimpse and remember thanks to the power of music.” [6]
Murray’s observation beautifully highlights the profound way music connects us to
unfamiliar experiences and perspectives. Songs serve as a bridge, offering insight into diverse
cultures, emotions, and stories that we might not otherwise encounter. This unique ability to evoke
memories and emotions through melodies and lyrics makes music a universal language, capable
of fostering empathy and understanding across boundaries.
2.Music has the power to inspire and calm. People with musical talent often excel in
learning foreign languages because they can better perceive, process, and replicate accents, as
noted by Stansell. Both music and language are forms of communication using sound and
gesture.[7]
119
We fully agree with the idea that music inspires and calms while also enhancing language-
learning abilities. Music and language share common elements, such as rhythm, tone, and patterns,
which help develop auditory skills and memory. As Stansell points out, individuals with musical
talent are often better equipped to perceive and replicate accents, as they are more attuned to subtle
variations in sound.
The connection between music and language as forms of communication is particularly
fascinating. Both use sound to convey emotions and meaning, and both rely on rhythm and
structure to engage listeners. This overlap explains why musical training often correlates with
heightened linguistic skills, including improved pronunciation, vocabulary, and fluency.
3.When learning pronunciation, learners should focus on communicating effectively with
other non-native English speakers from different language backgrounds ). Music is an excellent
tool for teaching pronunciation to children of all ages. Exposure to various pronunciations helps
learners find a style that fits their personality.[4]
We strongly agree with Jenkins’ perspective that learners should prioritize effective
communication over achieving native-like pronunciation, especially in a globalized context where
English serves as a lingua franca. Music is an exceptional resource for teaching pronunciation
because it exposes learners to diverse accents and rhythms in an engaging way.
For children, music provides a playful and repetitive method to practice sounds, improving
both pronunciation and listening skills. The variety of styles and accents in songs allows learners
to explore different pronunciation patterns, helping them develop a speaking style that aligns with
their personality while ensuring clear communication. This makes music an invaluable tool for
fostering confidence and fluency in language learning.
4.Older adults often struggle to hear speech in noisy environments, such as parties or
restaurants. However, musically trained older adults perform better in these situations. This skill
is crucial for learning a new language, as pulling speech from noise is easier for those who learned
a second language early in life. Researchers found that late bilinguals face challenges
distinguishing certain sounds, especially in noisy settings. In English, this is further complicated
by similar-sounding words, like big and beg or said and sad, which differ only slightly in vowel
sounds.[5]
We completely agree that musical training enhances the ability to hear speech in noisy
environments, making it a valuable asset, especially for older adults. This skill is crucial not only
for communication in daily life but also for language learning, as it improves the ability to
distinguish subtle differences in sounds.
5.Horn emphasizes that music enhances vocabulary, articulation, and pronunciation,
making it essential in teaching English as a second language. She highlights that to effectively
learn and experience both music and language, learners need strong listening skills. Good listening
skills form the foundation for mastering the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading,
and writing.Horn suggests using music to encourage learners to listen actively and analytically.
She explains that, just like learning any language, understanding the «language» of music requires
listening to its sound patterns before using it. This highlights that listening skills are fundamental
for teaching and learning reading and comprehension, making them a core part of language
acquisition, education, and social development.[2]
We strongly agree with Horn’s assertion that music significantly enhances vocabulary,
articulation, and pronunciation, making it an indispensable tool in teaching English as a second
120
language. By fostering active and analytical listening, music helps learners develop the auditory
skills necessary for mastering the four foundational language skills: listening, speaking, reading,
and writing.
Horn’s analogy between learning music and language is particularly insightful. Just as
understanding the “language” of music begins with recognizing sound patterns, learning a new
language also requires strong listening skills. These skills not only improve pronunciation and
vocabulary acquisition but also aid in reading comprehension and overall social communication.
Using music in education encourages learners to engage with sounds in a dynamic way,
creating a holistic learning experience. This approach not only supports language acquisition but
also contributes to broader educational and social development, underscoring the profound role of
listening skills in both music and language learning.
For anyone learning a language, having sufficient sleep, a good mood, and being free from
stress plays an important role in their progress.Moreover, it helps improve our listening, reading,
writing, and speaking skills. Music can enhance our ability to focus on language patterns, improve
pronunciation, and even increase vocabulary retention, making it a valuable tool for language
learners. The rhythm and melody of songs can also aid in better comprehension and fluency.By
listening to music we could reach all of these.
This study explores the effectiveness of songs as a tool for improving comprehension skills. It
is divided into two key sections.This section examines the influence of music on the human div
and health. It highlights how music impacts cognitive functions, emotional well-being, and brain
processes that are essential for learning and comprehension.The final section focuses on the
benefits of using music in educational settings. It emphasizes how songs can enhance learning
experiences, aid in memory retention, and improve comprehension skills.The article concludes
that music serves as a valuable and multifaceted tool for cognitive and educational development.
References
1.Brewer, C. (1995). Music and learning: Integrating Music in the Classroom.
Quarterly Journal, p. 1-13. Retrieved from:
2.Horn, C.A. 2007. English second language learners: Using music to enhance the listening
abilities of grade Ones. Masters thesis. Unisa. 3.https:www.thwesternmusictherapy.com
4.Jenkins, J. (1998). Which pronunciation norms and models for English as an International
Language?
ELT
Journal.
Volume
52,
Issue
2,
p
119-126.
Retrieved
from:
http://eltj.oxfordjournals.org/content/52/2/119.short
5.Mayo, L. H., M. Florentine, and S. Buus. 1997. Age of Second-language acquisition and
perception of speech In noise. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research 40 (3): 686–
693.
6.Murray, S.K. 2005. Learning a Second Language Through Music, Baylor University, Academic
Exchange Quarterly, 9 (2),
7.Stansell, J.W. 2005. The Use of Music for Learning Languages: A Review of the Literature.
University of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign.
