Do you listen to music in the language you are learning?
I’m learning Japanese so I listen to/watch Japanese music quite often. I wonder how much I actually learn from this, but it helps that I like most of the music.
I watch a Japanese music show called “music station” every week, and usually learn a word or two.
So how about you? Does music help you learn? What kind of music do you listen to?

Graham, first of all excellent topic!!!!!

I think we can learn a great deal by listening and watching music programs of a different language and culture. This is an area of open-mindedness that I think everyone could benefit from, I’m sure it helps one become more comfortable with sounds and pitches of a language in addition to learned words and structure. It is also very satisfying when I recognize words of a foreign song— it keeps me real focused and ready to pick it apart (and I’m one of those that sings along, even if I’ve not a clue, it’s so fun, lol)

Music keeps the sole sane! Especially when there’s more to it than what meets the ear!
=) cheers & happy listening! elle

ps. I listen to all genre, but if I had to pick it would be dance/techno/house/electronica

My taste in music fluctuates constantly so I don;t really have a preffered genre haha.

I like to listen to Japanese and German music now and then but really not as often as I should do D:

A very interesting topic indeed!

I think that listening to music in the language you want to learn is one of the best listening practice you can get! Plus, it’s fun as well! I totally recommend it to anyone, even beginner learners! Listening to a song while reading the lyrics is extremelly efficient! We’re more likely to remember new words (and even grammatical patters) from music – not only because we like it, but also because the human mind generally works better this way…. :)

I hardy listen to music in my mother language at all…. 90% of the music I’m listening to is in English, which is great because it keeps me practicing…. But I try to listen to as much music in French and Italian as well.

I listen to many different genres, from pop and 70s- 80s oldies to contemporary pop and rock…. I also love symphonic metal and also opera music…. :)

yes of course, actually it helps me a lot listening to spanish music and watching spanish tv.

Yup! Totally, I watch tons of Japanese movies and listen to heap loads of Japanese songs.
I actually read the lyrics in Japanese and read the English translation to help me understand
the meaning of the song. It helps a lot because you are immersing yourself in the language by listening, reading or watching shows in that particular language you’re learning.

I think we should share recommendations, please tell what is good!! I love new music, especially in foreign languages, Indian Techno for example is awesome!!! Tapping into the unknown is what makes eduFire so cool!

Check out Putumayo World Music, they compile music from areas of the world and name it accordingly!!! I really like all that I’ve heard from them! Buddha Bar Compilations are also good (google Buddha Bar Music)
http://www.putumayo.com/
: )

That link is very useful, Elle, thank you! I will definitely explore some of the artists there! :)

As for recommendations, here’s mine: Jango – it’s a place where you can listen to all kinds of music for FREE. You just have to register and create a “radio station”, then select the artists you want to listen to and add them to your list. The greatest thing is that you have a search option and cand find artist and songs on other people’s stations and listen to exactly what you want. And it’s free! :)

Thanks so much for the link Sandra! I used to subscribe to Pandora but because of a licensing issue, you cannot now receive it outside of the US. This looks like a very similar place!

A few recommendations for Japanese music: Utada Hikaru, because she has an amazing, beautiful voice, and every single she puts out tops the charts in Japan. :)
The Checkers : I bought a CD of them. I don’t know if you’ll like them, but they were a rock band in Japan in the 90’s. Saxophone solos. :DDD

Hi Tyler – I looked up Utada Hikaru on YouTube and I have to agree, she has a very beautiful voice and I liked her style!

Debbie – I went to the Pandora site and it won’t let me listen to anything because of the problem you mentioned…. I’ll stick to Jango then…. :D

I am listening to Jango right now!! I am so glad you told us about this as I have been missing Pandora!

I’m not a big fan of Utada Hikaru myself, but she certainly is talented. My favourite Japanese artists are YUI and Mr. Children.

So glad ypu like it! The site is really great! What is your account there? Mine is: http://www.jango.com/profiles/32160982?l=0 – I think the site has a friends list option…. :)

I ‘think’ I have just sent you a friend’s request! :)

And I think I just accepted it! :D

Awesome! Thank you :) I am happy again now to have personalised radio!

Sandra, you are amazing!!!! thank you for Jango, I had no idea! In fact, I’m sitting thrilled because I found some old stuff that I have not been able to find… =) =) thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m so happy I was able to help, Elle! :) I’m glad you like Jango, what is your profile there? :D

I’m not sure? My profile display is, El, otherwise my email elleletnes@yahoo- but they didn’t give me an option to choose so I’m still trying to figure it out, and it’s fun! ;-D

Oh, yes!!! YUI is amazing! But, I have not heard of Mr. Children before. I’ll certainly check it out.
I was just about to post saying YUI is another great one. ^^
hitomi is also another great singer. Umm….Loudness? Loudness was an old Japanese metal band….maybe you’ll like them?

i think the best its to go to tbs.jp.co pick a program that seems interesting, while it has no subs and you might be lost for words, you start recognizing certain kanjis, as well as learning the name of certain celebrities or singers announced on the site or on the programs

as far as artist i love ayumi hamasaki, she has an awesome voice, and the group Ashari

I also listen to music of the language that I’m studying. It’s cool to here how the language sounds when sung.

I definitely find it a help to listen to music in French, it keeps vocabulary and phrases in my mind. Listening to the music also helps you learn culture, which is so important since language and culture just can’t be separated. It was easy to find new french artists when I was living in Québec but haven’t found anything new since, just stuck with the ones I already know. Does anyone know of any places online to find some good French music?