From Lyrics to Understanding: The Role of Songs in Improving Students' Listening Abilities
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This study explores the impact of using songs on improving students' listening comprehension skills in an English language learning context. The research employed a mixed-methods design, combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluate the effectiveness of songs in enhancing listening abilities. A total of 50 secondary school students participated, divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was exposed to song-based listening exercises, while the control group engaged in traditional listening activities. Pre-tests and post-tests were administered to assess improvements in listening comprehension, and interviews and classroom observations were conducted to gather qualitative insights. The results showed a significant improvement in the listening comprehension scores of the experimental group, with a marked increase in their ability to identify key information, understand context, and recognize spoken words and phrases. The control group, on the other hand, showed limited improvement. Qualitative data revealed that students in the experimental group found the song-based exercises engaging and enjoyable, which contributed to higher motivation and better retention of language concepts. Songs, particularly with varying tempos and genres, provided students with authentic language input and exposed them to different speech patterns, further enhancing their listening skills. This study highlights the effectiveness of songs in improving listening comprehension and suggests that incorporating songs into language teaching can foster a more engaging and motivating learning environment. The findings also emphasize the need for careful song selection to align with students’ language proficiency and interests. Further research is recommended to examine the long-term effects of song-based listening exercises and explore the influence of song characteristics on different aspects of listening comprehension.
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