Improving English through your favourite songs is nothing new; as you enjoy the music you like, you are also learning and improving your English.
As I told you in a previous post, Learn and improve your English through your favourite songs, you can even work on the four basic skills (Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing) while enjoying your favourite music. But in this new post, we will concentrate on your listening skills.
How Can You Improve Your Listening Through the Music You Like?
I recommend choosing a song you love because you will work with that song extensively and for some time.
Once you have chosen your song, try to memorize the lyrics and sing along with the music.
When you have internalized it, it is time to look for covers on YouTube.
What is a Cover?
For those of you who do not know what a cover is, I will explain it briefly:
The cover of a song is when a band or singer makes a new version of a song written by someone else. The band or singer making the cover performs with their personal style. The version can be similar or sometimes so different that it is difficult to recognize the original song at first glance.
Why this Strategy will Help You?
First, listening to different versions of your favourite songs is fascinating.
But even more important, you will have the opportunity to work on your listening skills deeply because you will listen to the song performed by:
Singers with different accents.
Singers with different styles.
Singers from different countries.
Singers with different pronunciations.
Male & female singers.
Etc.
It’s like the English language in the real world…
Different English accents
Different types of voices (male & female, young, old…)
Different pronunciations
Etc.
Because of all these singularities, you will notice that some words or sentences that are difficult to understand during a performance can be easily caught in a different version, as happens when you listen to English.
Some Examples Of Covers That I Like…
Here, I share some songs I like and some of their respective covers to give you a general idea.
Song: Viva la Vida by Coldplay
Original song
Cover 1
Cover 2
Cover 3
Song: Human by The Killers
Original song
Cover 1
Cover 2
Cover 3
Song: Every Breath You Take by The Police
Original song
Cover 1
Cover 2
Cover 3
There are covers for most songs. You will find good and bad covers, Covers you like and covers you don’t.
Pick up songs you love and work and enjoy listening to and improving English through music.
What About You?
What songs do you like?
Have you looked for covers in the past?
Will you try this strategy to improve your English through music?
All your comments are very welcome!!!