· web viewenglish has become a compulsory subject in schools in japan. japanese people study...
TRANSCRIPT
Learning English Through Music
Graduation Thesis
Presented to
the Faculty of the Department of
English Language and Literature
Notre Dame Seishin University
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirement for the Degree
Bachelor of Arts
by
Yumeka Hori
2018
Contents
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Learning English through music 1
1.2.1Listening skill 2
1.2.2Speaking skill 2
1.2.3Vocabulary/ Grammar 2
1.3 Some merits or demerits of learning English through music 2
1.3.1Merits of learning English through music 2
1.3.2Demerits of learning English through music 3
1.3.3Summary 4
1.4 Previous research on learning English from music 4
1.4.1 Using English songs in class (Kadoyama, 2001) 4
1.4.2 How are English songs used? 5
1.5 Research questions 6
1.6 Summary 7
Chapter Two: The data
2.1 Introduction 8
2.2 The Questionnaire 8
2.2.1 Introduction to the questionnaire 8
2.2.2Method 8
2.2.3Results 9
2.3 Summary 23
II
Chapter Three: The Analysis
3.1 Introduction 25
3.2 Summary of the results 25
3.3 Discussion of the results 25
3.4 Research questions 28
3.5 Limitations of the experiments 31
3.6 Further research 36
3.7 Conclusion 32
References 33
Appendices 35
III
Abstract
English has become a compulsory subject in schools in Japan.
Japanese people study English at least for eight years at school now. In
schools there are many methods of learning English. Learning English
through music is one of the most popular methods in Japan. In fact, many
schools use English songs as teaching material in English class. This thesis
researched the effects and methods of learning English through music.
In Chapter One, we looked at many effects of learning English through
music and the merits and demerits of it. There are many ways of utilizing
music for English learning.
In Chapter Two, we look at the results of the data from a questionnaire
given to 31 subjects. There were 22 questions in the questionnaire divided
into two parts. The first part asked them about basic information and English
learning. The aim of this part was to know their backgrounds and attitude to
English learning. The second part asked them about English music. The aim
of this part was to find out their thoughts about English music.
In Chapter Three, we analyze the data from the questionnaire which
seems to show that learning English through music is effective for Japanese
people. The effect depends on the methods, people can change the method
of learning depending on skills what they want to improve.
IV
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Introduction
English is now serving the role as the world’s universal language and many
people are learning English all over the world. Japanese people are also
learning English. Nowadays, English has become compulsory in Japan.
Japanese people study English at least for eight years at school now. The need
for English will increase more in the future because of globalization. Moreover,
the opportunity for a Japanese to meet English has risen as English music
spreads in Japan, too. In fact, English music is being used a lot as the teaching
materials in English education. This thesis is about the relationship with English
learning and English songs and mention about the method of learning English
through music.
1.2 Learning English through music
When we learn English, there are mainly four skills that we need for
complete communication. When we learn our native language, we usually learn
to listen first, then to speak, then to read, and finally to write. When we also
study our second language, we need these four types of language skills:
Reading (input), Listening (input), Speaking (output) and Writing (output). All of
these are important for learning English. The four language skills are related to
each other. There are many methods to build up these skills. For example,
reading English books, watching movies in English, listening to foreign music,
speak to foreign people in English, memorize new English words, take TOEIC
test, and so on.
In Japan, there are many opportunities to listen to English music.
Listening to music is one of the popular methods of learning English for
Japanese students. Actually, many teachers use English songs in English class.
1
1.2.1 Listening skillOne of the advantages of learning English through music is learners can
hear the natural pronunciation of native speakers (singers) so they can improve
their listening skill. Learners also can hear informal words or slang that they
cannot learn from books or dictionaries.
1.2.2 Speaking skillLearners can improve their speaking skill. They can practice to
pronounce English words or sentences by singing English songs. They can
learn how to put the words together by song’s lyrics. Listening to English music
is a good opportunity to learn English speaking.
1.2.5 Vocabulary/ GrammarLearners can learn new words from English music. In Japan, learning
vocabulary by listening is very popular. The lyrics of English songs include
some words that Japanese learners don’t know. Therefore, learners can meet
new words by listening to English songs and can increasing the vocabulary. If
learners check the grammar used in lyrics and learn it, learners can learn
grammar by songs too.
1.3 Some merits or demerits of learning English through musicThere are several merits and demerits for learning through music.
1.3.1 Merits of learning English through music
It is a chance to come to like English because it is easy to try.
Many Japanese people have awareness that they are not good at
English. Music is very familiar to everyone. Most people like listening to
music. Therefore, it is easier to try to learning English through music than
2
learn with text books. Learning English through music is a good chance
to stop feelings like “I’m not good at English”.
Repetition learning does not bother you
It is important to listen to and say English repeatedly when people learn
English conversation. It is hard for people who have awareness that they
are not good at English. However, using music, they can learn English
without pain.
There is a model of the pronunciation in music
English songs have a model of pronunciation. People can hear native
pronunciation naturally by listening to songs. It is one of good point of
learning English by music that it is not learning by textbook.
People can learn the rhythm of the sound and the connection of the word
Rhythm is important when people speak English. People can hear
English rhythm by listening to English songs. People can learn
connection of the sound by English music. Native English speaker
change a sound or attach another word when they pronounce it. It is a
good chance to be familiar with the rhythm and connecting the word.
It is an opportunity of the output by singing.
For singing English songs, people can practice pronouncing English. It is
good chance of output learning.
1.3.2 Demerits of learning English through music
It isn’t suitable for people who do not know the basic grammar
We can’t say that learning English through music is effective learning
method for people who don’t know the basic grammar and words. For
these people, listening to English songs is just chance to be familiar with
English. It is difficult to understand words and structure of lyrics if your
3
ability is low. If people want to learn grammar, it is more effective learn by
grammar textbooks than by English songs.
A dialect is included
A lot of dialect or slang is included in English songs. There are many
ways of pronouncing or slang in English songs because the dialect is
different depending on the singer. People should learn the basic English
pronunciation first.
There is a lot of abbreviation
In English songs, there are many poetic or colloquial expressions so
there are many abbreviation. It is not good thing to learn by rote
uncomplete sentences.
There is much free translation.
If people learn with translation into Japanese, it often becomes the much
free Japanese translation. People should pay attention to the meaning of
lyrics because there are many cases whereby the meaning makes sense
only in that song.
1.3.3 SummaryIn this section we have seen many merits or demerits of learning English
through music. There are many good points to learning English through music,
but depends on method, English songs are not good for material of learning.
1.4 Previous research on learning English from listening to music
1.4.1 Using English songs in class (Kadoyama, 2001)In English education, there have been many attempts to utilize English
music as teaching materials for a long time in Japan. Actually, many practical
4
reports have been centered on English songs at junior high schools and high
schools. There are many reports that classes became active by singing English
songs. These days, practical reports and studies are also being conducted in
the English education of universities. English songs are favorably accepted by
English learners as the material for English learning. Actually, many students
say that they practiced singing songs or fill the blanks in the lyrics of English
songs such as The Beatles and The Carpenters in English classes.
1.4.2 How are English songs used?
As mentioned above, English songs have been widely used in classes
and their use is quite varied. Asakawa (1997 in Kadoyama 2001) categorizes its
application methods into the following 8 categories.
1. Creating a lesson atmosphere
This is a way to generate interest in English of the student by playing
English music at the start or end of the class.
2. Introduction and establishment of words and grammar
This utilization of English songs is a method using song lyrics to
introduce or deepen knowledge of grammar such as subjunctive or
present perfect form. There are many examples of this method.
(Example: Abrate, 1983; Dubin,1974 ; Martin,1989; Urbancic and
Vixmuller,1981 in Kadoyama, 2001)
3. Making a substitute song (English composition)
This is carried out as a practice of the English composition that use one
part of song’s lyrics.
4. Listening to lyrics (filling up)
This is the use of music as an exercise for listening. It can be divided into
two types. One is a method to listen to songs and fill the blanks of the
5
text lyrics, and is intended to raise the listening skill to recognize sounds
exactly. Another use is aimed at catching the general meaning of the
songs.
5. Reading aloud
This method is performed many classes for the purpose of learning basic
rhythm and pronunciation of English.
6. Creating a translation
Zola & Sandvoss (1976) reported this use as for advanced learner.
7. Taste lyrics as English poetry
This is a method to taste lyrics as English poetry. For example, learning
about phoneme or personification in lyrics.
8. Read lyrics and treat them as teaching materials
Asakawa (1997 in Kadoyama 2001) reported this method uses English
songs as the reading educational material. Taking up the song with a
strong social message such as peace or human rights, it is the interest in
social topics of the student increased.
1.5 Research questionsWe have looked at the way of learning English through music. There are
many ways to use English songs for learning English. And there are some
merits and demerits of learning English. We will look the effects and methods of
learning English through music so there are three research questions for this
thesis.
Research question 1: Is learning English through music effective for
learners?
Research question 2: How effective is English music for learning?
6
Research question 3: What kind of music is good for English learning?
We will look at these questions in the following chapter.
1.6 SummaryIn this chapter, we looked at the effect of learning English through music
and the merits and demerits of it. There are many ways to use music for English
learning. There are many good points of learning English through music but
there are some demerits too. What is the effective way, or what types of songs
are good for English learning?
In Chapter Two, we will look at the student’s opinion about learning
English and using music for learning English.
7
Chapter Two: The Data
2.1 Introduction
In Chapter One, we looked at learning English through music from various
points of viewpoints.
Japanese people must start studying English from before junior high
school and most people continue to study English in high school. Some
people study English in university too, so most Japanese people study
English at least 6 years. In addition, we have many chances to listen to
English songs these days. We can listen to English songs on the smartphone,
in the class, at restaurants, at shops, and so on. But, are English songs
effective for English study? What is the effective method and what types of
songs are good for learning English?
In this chapter, we will look at the data from a questionnaire sent out to
some subjects.
2.2 The questionnaire
2.2.1 Introduction to the questionnaire
In this section I will present the questionnaire.
2.2.2 Method
1) Subjects
The subjects of this questionnaire were 31 students, and 26 of those are
women, and 5 were men. They are students or member of society (a teacher
and an office worker). I asked them questions in English about English
learning, English skills, and English music. Their results were used to find out
the relationships between learning English and English songs.
8
2) Test design – the questionnaire
In this questionnaire, I asked them 22 questions about English learning
and English music. I divided these questions into two parts. In the first part
(Question 1 to Question 8), I asked them about themselves, for example,
name, age, their English learning stiles, and their thinking about English skills.
The aim of this part was to know their backgrounds and attitude about English
learning.
In the second part (Question 9 to Question 22), I asked them about
English music. The aim of this part was to find out their thoughts and
backgrounds about English music. The questionnaire is in the Appendix
3) Procedure
I made a questionnaire about basic information, English learning, and
English music to find out the relationship music and English learning and
distributed it on Google Forms. I gave it my 31 friends (most of them were
Notre Dame Seishin University student). Then, I calculated the data and
analyzed it to get the results.
2.2.3 Results
First, we will look at the data about part 1 questions about their basic
information and English learning.
Figure 1: The data of age of subjects
9
Figure 1 shows most of the subjects are 20-22 years old and university
students (96.8%). Only one person is 23 years old.
Figure 2: Which way of learning English do you prefer?
Figure 2 shows 38.7% of the subjects prefer Listening, 32.3% of the
subjects prefer Speaking, 16.1% of the subjects prefer Reading, and 12.9% of
the subjects prefer Writing. Most popular the way of learning English is
listening.
Figure 3: What English skill is the most important do you think? Why?
10
Table 1: The data from the above questions
Listening Because I need to understand what they mean.
Speaking Because we can tell our own ideas, opinions, and feelings.
Speaking it is necessary to communicate.
Speaking speaking is the best way to contact with others
Speaking Because listening can commute with foreigners.
Speaking It is important to communicate with people with English.
Speaking I'd like to speak well.
Speaking
If we can even speak English, we can communicate with all
people.
Speaking If we cannot speak English, we can't communicate with foreigner.
Speaking Communicating with others give many ideas.
Speaking We can communicate easily
Listening If I can't understand what people say, it's a problem.
Speaking
Because I think it's useless that we can get a high score in writing,
listening, reading , but can't speak English.
Speaking
I think that when we go to foreign country, most important thing is
speaking.
Listening
Because if people can't understand the meaning of sentences,
they can't talk.
Speaking Need for communicate with other countries peoples
Listening We can't communicate without understanding what people say.
Speaking Because if we can speak well, tell what we want exactly.
Speaking It's important to communicate with people
Speaking I like speaking very much
Speaking 自分で口にする事で英語に慣れると思うから。
Speaking The human relationship is established by speaking word.
Speaking I want to speak English.
Speaking 英語は主にコミュニケーション能力が求められるから
Speaking I think speaking is best way to communicate with people.
Speaking 伝わらないと意味ない
Speaking コミュニケーションをとりながら学ぶことが大事だと思うから。
Speaking Speaking is the most useful in foreign life
Speaking コミュニケーションで使うから
11
Listening
伝えることは、単語だけでもジェスチャーや絵などがあれば大丈
夫だけど、相手の言うことを正しく聞き取れないと理解はできな
いから。
Listening 日常生活で一番使う可能性があるから。
Figure 3 shows 80.6% of the subjects think the speaking skill is the
most important for us, and 19.4% of the subjects think the listening skill is the
most important. Nobody thinks that reading or writing skill is the most
important for us. Table 1 shows the reason why they chose that answer.
These reasons show, most of the subjects think communication skill is the
most important in English ability.
Figure 4 : How many hours do you study English each week?
Figure 4 shows that 61.3% of the subjects study English 1~5 hours
each week, 16.1% of the subjects study English 6~10 hours each week,
12.9% of the subjects study English zero hours each week, 6.5% of the
subjects study English 11~15 hours each week, and 3.2% of the subjects
study English more 16 hours each week. According to this data, 87.2% of the
subjects study English at least 1 hour each week.
12
Figure 5: What kind of method do you study English?
Figure 5 shows most of the subjects choose listening to foreign music
as a method of studying English. (74.2%) Watching movie is the second most
chosen method to studying English. TOEIC and speaking to foreigner is the
third most chosen method to studying English.
Figure 6: Do you listen to foreign music?
Figure 6 shows 48.4% of the subjects said they listen to foreign music
all the time, and 41.9% of the subjects said they listen to foreign music
sometimes. In other words, 90.3% of the subjects said they listen to foreign
13
music daily. It was only 9.7% of the subjects said they don`t often listen to
foreign music.
Figure 7: Do you think listening to English music is effective for English
learning?
Figure 7 shows 64.5% of the subjects think listening to music is
effective for English learning, and 25.8% of the subjects answered maybe.
Only 9.7% of the subjects answered listening to English music isn’t effective
for English learning. According to these data, many subjects think listening to
English music is effective for English learning.
Figures 8, 9, 10, and Table 2: How often do you listen to these types of
music?
14
Almost
never Not often Sometimes A lot
Rock 23% 13% 45% 19%
J pop 0% 6% 29% 65%
K pop 39% 19% 35% 6%
Rap 45% 29% 23% 3%
Jazz 52% 26% 19% 3%
Blues 58% 32% 6% 3%
Western pop 16% 19% 35% 29%
hip hop 16% 32% 35% 16%
Classical 45% 32% 16% 6%
Heavy metal 74% 19% 3% 3%
Japanese trad. music 61% 26% 6% 6%
Instrumental (no
lyrics) 61% 19% 13% 6%
15
Acapella (voice only) 71% 26% 0% 3%
Figures 8, 9, 10 and Table 2 shows the most listened to music for
subjects is J pop (sometimes 29% + a lot 65% = 94%), and next is Western
pop (sometimes 35% + a lot 29% = 64%). Third is Rock (sometimes 45% + a
lot 19% = 64%). On the other hands, the type of music that the subjects don’t
listen very much is Heavy metal (almost never 74% + not often 19% = 93%)
and Acapella (almost never 71% + not often 26% = 97%). K pop and hip hop
are listened relatively a lot by subjects.
Figures 11, 12, 13: What kind of music do you listen to?
16
Figures 14, 15, Table 3: How easy or difficult is it to listen to these types of
music?
17
Table 3: The data for the music they like
Easy
Not so
easy Difficult Very Difficult
Rock (n=13) 31% 38% 8% 23%
Rap 10% 19% 35% 35%
Jazz 3% 16% 26% 55%
Blues 6% 26% 32% 35%
Western pop 6% 35% 26% 32%
hip hop 23% 32% 29% 16%
Heavy metal 10% 23% 35% 32%
Acapella (voice
only) 6% 10% 23% 61%
Figure 14, 15 and Table 3 shows Rock to have few admirers but the table
shows the relative percentage of each to be consistent with the other genres.
Western Pop also easy to understand the meaning.
Figure 16, Table 4: Was English music used in English class when you
were in…?
Yes Sometimes No
18
Was English music used in English class when you
were in .........? [Elementary school] 29% 32% 39%
Was English music used in English class when you
were in .........? [Junior High] 29% 61% 10%
Was English music used in English class when you
were in .........? [Senior High] 48% 32% 19%
Was English music used in English class when you
were in .........? [University] 52% 29% 19%
Elementary school
Figure 16 and Table 4 show 29% of the subjects said English songs
were used in their classes, and 32% of the subjects said English songs were
used in their classes sometimes. 39% of the subjects said English songs were
not used in their classes. Therefore, quite a lot of subjects said English songs
were used in their classes when they were in elementary school.
Junior high school
Figure 16 and Table 4 show 29% of the subjects said English songs were
used in their classes, and 61% of the subjects said English songs were used
in their classes sometimes. Only 10% of the subjects said English songs were
not used in their classes. Therefore, many subjects said English songs were
used in their classes when they were in junior high school.
Senior high school
Figure 16 and Table 4 show 48% of the subjects said English songs were
used in their classes, and 32% of the subjects said English songs were used
in their classes sometimes. Only 19% of the subjects said English songs were
not used in their classes. Therefore, many subjects said
English songs were used in their classes when they were in senior high
school.
University
19
Figure 16 and Table 4 show 52% of the subjects said English songs were
used in their classes, and 29% of the subjects said English songs were used
in their classes sometimes. Only 19% of the subjects said English songs were
not used in their classes. Therefore, the most of the subjects said English
songs were used in their classes when they are in university.
Figure 17, Table 5: Do you remember those songs?
Yes Maybe No
Do you remember those songs? 35.5% 35.5% 29%
This question is about English whether they remember the songs that
were used in their class. Figure 17 and Table 5 shows 35.5% of the subjects
remember English songs that were used in their class. 35.5% of the subjects
said maybe they remember. 29% of the subjects said they don’t remember
English songs that were used in their class.
20
Figure 18, Table 6: Do you understand the lyrics of English songs?
Yes Maybe No
Did you understand the lyrics of the
song? 38.7% 41.9% 19.4%
Figure 18 and Table 6 show 38.7% of the subjects understand the
lyrics of English songs. 41.9% of the subjects said maybe they understand the
lyrics of English songs. 19.4% of the subjects said they don’t understand the
lyrics of English songs.
Figure 19, Table 7: Do you listen to music while reading the lyrics?
21
Yes Maybe No
Do you listen to music while reading the
lyrics? 40% 23.3% 36.7%
Figure 19 and Table 7 show 40% of the subjects listen to music while
reading the lyrics. On the other hand, 36.7% of the subjects don’t listen to
music while reading the lyrics. 23.3% of the subjects said maybe.
Figure 20, Table 8: Do you learn new words when you study from
music?
22
Yes
Sometime
s No
Do you learn new words when you study
from music? 48.4% 29% 22.6%
Figure 20 and Table 8 show about half of subjects (48.4%) said they learn
new words when they study from music. 22.6% of the subjects said they don’t
learn new words from music. 29% of the subjects said they often learn new
words from the music.
Figure 21, Table 8: Do you research the meaning of words when you
can’t understand the meaning of lyrics?
Yes Maybe No
Do you research the meaning of words
when you can't understand the meaning of
lyrics? 58.1% 22.6% 19.4%
Figure 21 and Table 8 shows 58.1% of the subjects said they research
the meaning of words when they can’t understand the meaning of lyrics.
23
22.6% of the subjects often research the meaning of lyrics. 19.4% of the
subjects don’t research the meaning of lyrics even if they can’t understand.
The list of songs which can be found in the Appendix shows many
subjects said Disney songs are easy to use to learn English from. Actually, 17
Disney songs were listed. 17 Taylor Swift songs and many One Direction (8
songs) and The Beatles (6 songs) are also listed in the appendix.
2.3 Summary
In this chapter we looked at the result of the questionnaire. We could
see the subject’s attitudes about English learning and music. There were
many different thoughts about English learning and music. In Chapter Three,
the results will be discussed.
24
Chapter Three: The Analysis
3.1 Introduction
In Chapter One, we looked at the effect of learning English through
music and the merits or demerits of it. In Chapter Two, we found the subjects
attitudes about learning English and the songs they use for that. In Chapter
Three, we will analyze the questionnaire data carefully.
3.2 Summary of the results
In Chapter Two we found some interesting data from the
questionnaires. Let us look at examples to recall the data.
First, most of the students receive English education using English
songs in the English class and most of them remember those songs. In
addition, most of the subjects listen to English songs daily. These data are
interesting.
Second, many people listed the same songs and artists as English
songs which are easy to learn English from (in Question 21 of music
questionnaire). There may be a reason why they chose these songs or some
kind of common points.
Let us look at these results in detail next.
3.3 Discussion of the results
In this section I will discuss the data from the questionnaire in detail.
Question 4: Which way of learning English do you prefer?
The data shows 38.7% of the subjects prefer Listening, 32.3% of the
subjects prefer Speaking, 16.1% of the subjects prefer Reading, and 12.9% of
25
the subjects prefer Writing. The most popular the way of learning English is
listening for these subjects. Most of the subjects tend to prefer learning
English from a sound (Listening 38.7%+Speaking 32.3%=71%) rather than
learn from letters (Reading 16.1%+Writing 12.9%=29%).
Question 5, 6: What is the most important do you think? / Why?
This data shows 80.6% of the subjects think the speaking skill is the
most important for us, and 19.4% of the subjects think the listening skill is the
most important. Nobody thinks that reading or writing are most important for
us. The subjects tend to think it is more important to communicate by sound
than by letters.
The main reason for the subject’s opinions that speaking skill is the
most important is people think speaking is the best way to communication
with others. There is such an opinion that it's useless that we can get a high
score in writing, listening, and reading, but can't speak English. On the other
hand, the main reason for the opinions that the listening skill is the most
important in English skill is if we can't understand what people say, we can't
talk to them. An interesting opinion about the listening skill is that we can tell
that we want to say by gesture or body language, so understanding what
people say is the most important aspect of communication.
Question 8: What kind of methods do you study English? Choose as many as you like.
The data shows most of the subjects (74.2%) choose listening to foreign
music as a major method of studying English. Watching movies is the second
most chosen method to studying English. The feature of listening to English
music and watching movies in English are people that can learn English while
enjoying it. Songs are shorter than movies so people can easily do repeat
learning.
26
Question 15, 16: Was English music used in English class when you were in...? / Do you remember those songs?
This data shows many subjects said English songs were used in their
English class. From the elementary school to the university, the percentage of
using English songs in class is rising. In addition, according to question16,
many subjects remember that songs. It can be said English songs are
received as a teaching material in education at school and play a role.
Question 21: Please write a list of which English songs (and artists name if you know it) you think are easy to learn English? e.g. 'Yesterday' by the Beatles
According to this data, Disney songs are easy to use to learn English.
Actually, 17 Disney songs are listed. Taylor Swift (17songs), One Direction (8
songs), and The Beatles songs (6 songs) are also listed a lot in Table 17 on
Chapter Two. There are many common points on these songs.
Disney Songs
Many Disney songs are listed in Table 17. Above all, “Let it go”, “Beauty
and the Beast”, “Part of your world”, and “A whole new world” are listed
many times. These songs are famous and most people have heard at
least once. These songs have some common points.
1. The melody is relatively slow so people feel easy to listen to.
2. Easy to understand the meaning of the lyrics because most people
know the story of that song’s movie.
3. Each word is pronounced neatly and clearly one by one.
4. There is no slang.
5. People can enjoy these songs with Disney movies.
27
Songs by Taylor Swift
Many Taylor Swift’s songs are also listed in. For example, “22”, “Belong
with me”, “We are never getting back together”. These songs have some
peculiarity.
1. The melody isn’t too fast and it’s pop.
2. Easy to understand the meaning of lyrics.
3. There are many texts to speak to like a conversation.
4. She pronounces words slowly and clearly.
5. Many songs of her are about the feeling of love that cause in her
experience. Many young woman are easy to do empathy in a text and
easy to learn phrase
Songs by One Direction
Eight of their songs are listed in Table 17. For example, ‘What makes you
beautiful’, ‘Kiss You’, and ‘live while we are young’. These songs have
some peculiarity.
1. The melody is pop.
2. The difficulties of words or sentences in the lyrics are not so high.
3. They pronounce words clearly.
Songs by The Beatles
Many songs by The Beatles are also listed in Table 17. There is some
peculiarity of these songs.
1. Many songs have a slow melody.
2. Words in the lyrics are not difficult so are easy to understand.
3. There are many useful expressions in the lyrics.
3.4 Research questions
This section will answer the research questions from Chapter One.
28
Research question 1: Is learning English through music effective for learners?
According to Question18, many subjects think listening to music is
effective for English learning (effective: 64.5%, maybe: 25.8%). Only 9.7% of
the subjects answered listening to English music isn’t effective for English
learning. Actually, most of the subjects listen to foreign music daily and have
been taking the English classes that use English songs as a teaching material
(according to Question15 of the questionnaire).
As mentioned at Chapter One, there are many uses of English music
for English learning. Learning English through music is effective and many
people have realized that actually. As mentioned Chapter One, listening to
English music just as a background without thinking or reading lyrics can help
them to be familiar with English or English pronunciation. However, just
listening as a background, can’t help improve our expand our English skill. We
can use English songs in many ways, so it is necessary for us to use the
music properly according to the ability that we want to improve.
Research question 2: How effective is English music for learning?
There are many methods of learning English through music. We can use
it for different purposes in accordance to types of skill that we want to
improve.
Listening Skill
If learners want to improve her the listening skill by using English songs,
she has to listen to songs carefully and understand the meaning of the
lyrics. According to Question 9 of the questionnaire, most people listen to
foreign music daily (all the time: 41.9%, sometimes: 48.4%) but according
to Question 17, some people don’t understand the meaning of the lyrics
(19.4%). These people may just enjoy the sounds or rhythm of English
music. It is good for just be familiar with English pronunciation, but it has
almost no effect on the listening skill.
29
According to Question 18, 48.4% of the subjects listen to English songs
with lyrics. The important thing to improve the listening skill by English
music is to listen to the lyrics carefully and understanding the meaning. To
listen to them again and again is also important. Method 4 by Asakawa
(1997) in Chapter One, “Listening to lyrics (filling up)” is one of the
methods to improve the listening skill through songs.
Speaking Skill
If the learners want to improve speaking skill by using English songs, it is
important to learn expressions of English by lyrics and singing songs.
People can practice singing a song and be a good opportunity to practice
to pronounce English. In addition, the song’s lyrics include colloquial
expressions so learners can learn expressions to use in a daily
conversation. Method 5 “Reading aloud” by Asakawa (1997) in Chapter
One is one of the methods to improve speaking skill with English songs.
Vocabulary/ Grammar
Learners can learn vocabulary or grammar from the song’s lyrics. English
songs maybe include words or expressions that learners don’t know. If
learners research about that and memory it, learners can improve their
vocabulary or grammar. According to Question20 of the questionnaire,
many subjects research the meaning of words when they can’t
understand the meaning of lyrics (58.1%). These people are able to
listening to music and learn new words. If they don’t research about that,
they can’t learn new words. The method 2 “Introduction and establishment
of words and grammar (語彙や文法の導入，定着)” by Asakawa (1997) on
Chapter One is one of the method to learn vocabulary or grammar from
music. According to Question 19, many subjects learn new words from
English music (yes: 48.4%+sometimes yes: 29%=77.4%).
Others
Listening skill, speaking skill, vocabulary or grammar can be said the main
effect of learning English through music but it is not only these three skills.
30
Depending on methods, learners can improve other skills. For example,
as the method 8 by Asakawa (1997, in Kadoyama 2001) on Chapter One,
people can read lyrics and treat them as teaching materials. This method
can improve reading skill. In addition, as the method 3 by Asakawa (1997,
in Kadoyama 2001) on Chapter One, people can practice to making
English composition using lyrics.
In this way, there are many ways to utilize songs and the learners can
improve many English skills.
Research question3: What kind of music is good for English learning?
Music selection is important for learners. There are many types of
English songs. According to Question 14 of the questionnaire, Western pop or
rock songs are easiest to understand. But, Heavy metal or Rap songs are
difficult to understand the meaning.
I asked the subjects to list songs that they think are easy to learn
English (Question 21 of the questionnaire). According to these data, Disney
songs are easy and 17 Disney songs were listed. Taylor Swift, One Direction,
and The Beatles songs were also listed many times in the Appendix. As
mentioned the part of ‘Discussion of results, Chapter Three’, these songs
have some common points. According to these data, English songs with the
following characteristics are good for English learning.
1. The melody is not too fast but slow.
2. Easy to understand the meaning of lyrics (word level is not too high).
3. There are many texts to speak to like a conversation.
4. There is no slang in lyrics.
5. Words are pronounce clearly
6. Famous and familiar songs.
3.5. Limitations of the Experiments
There are several limitations with this study.
31
Firstly, most of the subjects were female university students. There will
be differences depending on the gender or age. I heard opinions only from 31
people and most of the subjects are females at Notre Dame Seishin
University.
Secondly, most subjects were in the English department. This means
most of the subjects are studying English specially. Some people don’t like
studying English and may have different opinions about English songs or
English learning.
3.6. Further research
Most of the subjects were university students and female so I would
like to ask many types of people, for example, junior high school students,
men, or people who are not good at English.
I asked only students or members of society who were student until
recently, so I want to ask a wider range of people.
3.7. Conclusion
In this study, we looked at the effect of learning English through music.
Learning English through music seems to be effective for Japanese people
and English songs are used in many English classes at school. There are
many types of music, ways to use music, and several merits or demerits using
English songs. The effects depend on the methods, and we learned people
can change the method of learning depend on their skills and what they want
to improve.
32
References
Papers
Abrate (1983) In Kadoyama, 2001. Use of Music and Song in the Teaching of
English -The development of a song-based textbook English with Hit Songs-,
pp.10-12 Unpublished document
Asakawa (1997) In Kadoyama, 2001. Use of Music and Song in the Teaching
of English -The development of a song-based textbook English with Hit
Songs-, pp.10-12 Unpublished document
Dubin (1974) In Kadoyama, 2001. Use of Music and Song in the Teaching of
English -The development of a song-based textbook English with Hit Songs-,
pp.10-12 Unpublished document
Kadoyama, T. 2001. Use of Music and Song in the Teaching of English -The
development of a song-based textbook English with Hit Songs-, pp.10-
12 Unpublished document
Martin (1989) In Kadoyama, 2001. Use of Music and Song in the Teaching of
English -The development of a song-based textbook English with Hit Songs-,
pp.10-12 Unpublished document
33
Zola & Sandvoss (1976) In Kadoyama, 2001. Use of Music and Song in the
Teaching of English -The development of a song-based textbook English with
Hit Songs-, pp.10-12 Unpublished document
Websites
洋楽を使った英会話の勉強法！具体的な学習手順やデメリットは？https://
eigo919.com/quick/462.html Accessed August 3, 2017
Akiko (2017)『洋楽で英語力をアップする方法とおすすめの楽
曲』https://www.kaplaninternational.com/jp/blog/learn-english-through-
songs Accessed August 3, 2017
34
Appendices
Appendix I The Questionnaire
Music Questionnaire
1. I accept that these data can be used for research*
AgreeReject
2. Name*
(Short answer text)
3. Age*
-1617-1920-2223-
4. Which way of learning English do you prefer?*
SpeakingWritingListeningReading
5. What is the most important do you think?*
SpeakingWritingListeningReading
6. Why?*
(Long answer text)
7. How many hours do you study English each week?*
01~56~1011~15
35
16~
8. What kind of method do you study English? Choose as many as you like.*
Reading English booksWatching movies in EnglishListening to foreign musicSpeaking to foreign people in EnglishMemorizing new English wordsTOEICUsing English learning applicationStudying grammarOther…
9. Do you listen to foreign music?*
Yes, all the timeYes sometimesNot oftenAlmost never
10. Do you think listening to English music is effective for English learning?*
YesNoMaybe
11. Why do you think so?*
(Long answer text)
12. How often do you listen to English music each week? (○○minutes,○○hours)*
(Short answer text)
13. What kind of music do you listen to?*
A lot sometimes not often almost never
RockJ popK popRapJazzBluesWestern pophip hopClassicalHeavy metal
36
Japanese traditional musicInstrumental (no lyrics)Acapella (voice only)
14. How easy or difficult to understand are these types of music in ENGLISH?*
Easy Not so easy difficult Very difficultWestern popRockRapJazzBlueship hopHeavy metalAcapella (voice only)
15. Was English music used in English class when you were in ...?*
Yes Sometimes NoElementary schoolJunior HighSenior HighUniversity
16. Do you remember those songs?*
YesNoMaybe
17. Did you understand the lyrics of the song?*
YesNoMaybe
18. Do you listen to music while reading the lyrics?*
YesNoMaybe
37
19. Do you learn new words when you study from music?*
YesSometimesNo
20. Do you research the meaning of words when you can't understand the meaning of lyrics?*
YesNoMaybe
21. Please write a list of which English songs (and artists name if you know it) you think are easy to learn English? (7~10songs). e.g. 'Yesterday' by the Beatles*
(Long answer text)
22. If you have anything else you wish to tell me about English learning and music, please write it here.
(Long answer text)
38
Appendix II The song preferences
Please write a list of which English songs (and artists name if you
know it) you think are easy to learn English? (7~10songs). e.g. 'Yesterday' by
the Beatles
Hey Jude' by the The Beatles
Call me maybe' by Carly Rae Jepsen
Hey Jude by the Beatles
we are the world by Beatles
fight song by Rachel platten
22 by Taylor Swift
I love you by Avril Lavigne
love yourself by Justin Bieber
see you again
What makes you beautiful (One Direction)
Let it go by Disney
One Direction 'magic''
Can you celebrate
Let it go (Disney)
belong with me (Taylor Swift)
love story, mine (Taylor Swift)
we are never getting back together (Taylor Swift)
baby (Justin Bieber)
love yourself (Justin Bieber)
sugar (Maroon5)
A whole new world (Disney)
Under the sea (Disney)
Part of your world (Disney)
Beauty and the beast (Disney)
A whole new world (Disney)
Part of your world (Disney)
I see the light
39
Beauty and the beast (Disney)
Let it go' by Frozen (Disney)
'Live while we are young' by one direction
'Emotion' by man with a mission
'Fly again' by man with a mission
'DOA' by shingeki no kyojin
'Love is an open the door' by Frozen (Disney)
'for the first time in forever' by Frozen (Disney)
You belong with me by Taylor swift
Part of your world by Ariel (Disney)
Love story by Taylor swift
22 by Taylor swift
22 by Taylor
Red by Taylor
You belong with me by Taylor
History of my life by One direction
power by little mix
scared to be lonely by martin Garrix
Good life by G-easy
New romantics by Taylor swift
5days by Patrick Nuo
stay by Zedd
Kiss you by one direction
Payphone by Maroon 5
boom clap by Charlie XCX
You belong with me by Taylor Swift
What do you mean Justin Bieber
Baby Justin Bieber
Shape of you Ed sheeran
You belong with me Taylor Swift
What makes you beautiful One direction
One thing One direction
Up all night One direction
40
Try Everything' by Shakira
'Stay' by Zedd
'Beauty and the Beast' by Ariana Grande (Disney)
'Symphony' by Clean Bandit
'Country road'
'We are the world' by Michael Jackson
Whatever by oasis
We are the world
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor Swift)
Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
A Whole New World from Aladdin (Disney)
Beauty And The Beast (Disney)
Dancing Queen by ABBA
Let it be by the Beatles
Let it go (Disney)
"Call me maybe "Carly Rae Jepsen
forget
album''purpose” by justin bieber
Into' by Ariana Grande
Justin Bieber, Zedd, P!nk, DJ snake, etc...
22 (Taylor Swift),you belong with me (Taylor Swift)
I'm yours' by Jason Mraz
'Bad day' by Daniel Powter
'Let it be' by the Beatles
'All you need is love' by the beatles
'I don't want to miss a thing' by Aerosmith
なし
カーペンターズ
sing a song
Thinking out loud' by Ed sheeran
'Sugar' by Maroon5
'Firework' by Katy perry
'Marvin Gaye' by Charlie puth
41
'Timber' by PITBULL
taylor-swift の shake it off
One-direction の曲は全部わかりやすいと思います！
Smoke On The Water
42