The Relationship Between Music and Language: Can Teaching With Songs Result in Improved Second Language Learning?

Abstract

It is commonly asserted that music/song can be helpful in the acquisition of many aspects of language including vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. A review of available literature, however, suggests that there is very little empirical evidence to support these claims. The present thesis will review this literature and then propose a hypothetical experiment designed to shed light upon the question of the effect of music/song on second language learning. This experiment specifically proposes to examine the acquisition of subordinate clause word order in German, comparing conditions in which music/song is used versus when it is absent from the lesson. The thesis will also discuss possible avenues of future research regarding the question of whether using music/song in the foreign language classroom leads to more effective second language learning.