How Music Can Boost Your Language Learning

It’s been known for a long time how music can help you to learn a new language. But how can it be and how to effectively embedded music during our process to learn a new language? This article will explore and answer both questions. By the end of the reading, we would like to recommend some Indonesian songs to help you learn the Indonesian language online. We promise it will be fun!

The power of music to boost your language learning is no lie. I bet you still remember the power of ABC song to help you remember the alphabet in order. Theoretically, there are several reasons why applying music is primarily recommended in learning a new language.

Music Strengthens Your Vocabulary and Listening Skills

It is scientifically proven that singing new words helps people remember them easily. Listening to music enables us to integrate the grammatical better and extend our vocabulary. The lyrics of songs often consist of informal phrases that we do not always encounter when learning a language formally. Listening to music would also help develop your listening skills as it helps your brain to be more familiar with foreign words and language. Mimicking lyrics in a foreign language in a way that makes you happy is never prohibited too.

Songs Help You Understand the Local Context Even Better

Slang, figures of speech, symbolism, and metaphors are all used in song lyrics that you would not hear in daily conversation. They also include written abbreviations that you may learn and use in a social way, such as text messaging or Internet-related terms. Such unique words that you found through song would surely help you to know better about the culture.

Singing the Song Would Significantly Improve Your Conversation Skill

You can improve your pronunciation and try out different accents once you have known the lyrics. Accents differ depending on the nation, as well as the singer's origins. Singing will help you in learning the correct pronunciation of the words as well as helping you recall the new vocabulary you have learned effortlessly.

Some Indonesian Songs to Start With

1. Di Sini Senang di Sana Senang

This song reflects cheerful feeling as the translated lyrics say, “In here I am happy, in there I am happy, everywhere I am always happy.” Also, the rhythm is so catchy, it can trigger us to dance and move our bodies. Such simple lyrics are easy to understand, even with one-try.

2. Sepanjang Jalan Kenangan

This link directs to a show in the Netherland where the Dutch Actor and Actress could sing the song fluently. So you got to sing them correctly too!“Sepanjang Jalan Kenangan,” or translated as “Along the Memory Lane,” is a love song that describes the romantic experience of a lovey-dovey couple on a date during a light rain.

“Sepanjang jalan kenangan kita selalu bergandeng tangan”

Along the memory lane, we hold each other’s hand

“Sepanjang jalan kenangan kau peluk diriku mesra”

Along the memory lane, you hold my body tender-heartedly

“Hujan yang rintik-rintik di awal bulan itu”

The light rain at the beginning of the month

“Menambah nikmatnya malam syahdu”

Add to the enjoyment of a serene night

3. Kemesraan

Kemesraan, translated as “Fondness,” is a long-lasting Indonesian love song that almost all Indonesian people are familiar with. The lyrics are easy to understand and the rhythm is indeed enjoyable. Try to listen to it yourself or find other versions sung by another singer. I bet this song would be one of your favorites.

Those are the first three songs we recommend you to listen to, to accompany your Indonesian language learning process. Nevertheless, there are thousands of Indonesian songs out there available on the internet for you to explore. You might also find inspiration from the Indonesian movie’s soundtrack or even in an on-demand video sharing app such as TikTok where you can also practice your dance moves there.

Learning Indonesian online has never been this easy before the era of digitalization. We offer you an Indonesian language online course with great teachers and well-refined teaching methods. Try our course now! You can also book a free trial session here.