Can French Music Enhance Language Learning? The Benefits of Using French Music Playlists for Language Learners
- Up your French
- May 22, 2024
- 6 min read
Are you looking to improve your French in an effective and enjoyable way?
Music can be a very useful tool for you!
Listening to French music can help you improve your pronunciation, expand your vocabulary and develop your listening comprehension.
In this article, we'll explore in detail the benefits of music for learning French and provide you some advice on how to use music as a learning tool.
I'll also suggest a list of artists and songs to listen to according to your level of French.
The Power of music for boosting your French skills.
Music is a versatile learning tool.
When we listen to music, our brain processes several elements simultaneously, such as the melody, the rhythm and the lyrics. This can help strengthen neuronal connections and improves memory. In addition, music can help develop different language skills such as listening comprehension, pronunciation, vocabulary and even cultural understanding.
How can you use music to improve your French?
1. Immerse Yourself in French Sounds:
Music is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the sounds and intonations of the French language.
By listening to French music regularly, you train your ear to recognize the nuances of the language and feel more comfortable and confident when speaking
.
But don't just stop at listening! Sing along! This practice helps with pronunciation and rhythm while making learning fun and relieving stress.
Music is a great way to improve your French pronunciation and accent.
By singing the lyrics, you can also work on your pronunciation and rhythm. This can help you feel more comfortable and confident when speaking French.
As well as improving your pronunciation, music can help you expand your vocabulary and learn idiomatic expressions. French songs are often rich in common or colloquial words and expressions, depending on the artist and the song.
By listening to French songs, you can discover new words and expressions in context, which can help you memorise them more easily.
Listening comprehension is an essential skill in learning a language.
Regular exposure to French music familiarizes you with the language. This can help you understand native speakers better when they speak at a normal rate. What's more, songs often repeat phrases and words, which can help you memorise them more easily.
2. Enrich your vocabulary with music
An extensive vocabulary is essential for effective communication in French.
French song lyrics can be an excellent source of new words and phrases. By listening to songs, you can discover new words in context, which can help you remember them more easily: the rhythm of the music and the repetition of the song will help you memorise the words.
3. Boost your French learning with music
To get the most out of music as a learning tool, it's important to make it a regular part of your routine.
Whether you're commuting to work or hitting the gym, take advantage of these opportunities to listen to French music.
Here are a few examples of activities to make the most of song lyrics:
Read and Highlight Lyrics: Choose a song, read the lyrics, and highlight any unknown words. Look up their meanings and try to use them in sentences.
Sing Along: Listen to the song several times and try to sing along, paying attention to pronunciation. Recording yourself can help identify areas for improvement.
Create a Song Diary: Keep track of the new songs you discover and the new words and phrases you learn.
Check out these fantastic websites for French exercises based on songs:
4. Music and cultural learning
Music is not just a tool for language learning, but also a window into French culture, history, and society.
Cultural understanding is an important part of language learning.
French songs can provide insight into unique cultural aspects and improve your overall understanding of the language.
Some examples of songs that highlight specific aspects of French culture:
Il est cinq heures, Paris s'éveille by Jacques Dutronc
La Marseillaise - the French national anthem and Serge Gainsbourg's version
Non, je ne regrette rien by Édith Piaf
Aux Champs-Élysées by Joe Dassin
Douce France by Charles Trénet
1. Alors on danse - Stromae
2. Balance ton quoi - Angèle
3. Comme d'habitude - Claude François
4. Léa - Louise Attaque
5. Le bonheur - Les Ogres de Barback & Eskelina
6. Le lion est mort ce soir - Henri Salvador
7. Métis(se) - Yannick Noah
8. Monaco - Bon Entendeur
9. Je suis africain - Rachid Taha
10. Un monde meilleur - Keen'v
1. Aimer - Tryo
2. Bienvenue chez moi - Bigflo & Oli
3. Dommage - Bigflo & Oli
4. Emmène-moi - Boulevard des airs
5. Elle me dit - Mika
6. Formidable - Stromae
7. Je veux - Zaz
8. La lettre - Renan Luce
9. Papaoutai - Stromae
10. Quand-même - Bigflo & Oli
1. Christine - Christine and the Queens
2. Dernière Danse - Indila
3. Le déserteur - Boris Vian
4. J'ai demandé à la lune - Indochine
5. La foule - Édith Piaf
6. La symphonie des éclairs - Zaho de Sagazan
7. Ma philosophie - Amel Bent
8. Manhattan Kaboul - Renaud et Axelle Red
9. Rappelle-toi - Les Frangines
10. Tout Le Bonheur Du Monde - Sinsemilia
1. Faut-il encore des preuves ? - Yaniss Odua & Dub Inc
2. La mauvaise réputation - Georges Brassens
3. Elle panique - Olivia Ruiz
4. Formidable - Stromae
5. La vie en rose - Édith Piaf
6. Le chant des sirènes - Fréro Delavega
7. L’identité - Têtes raides
8. Le peu que l’on a - Olivia Ruiz
9. Rue de Panam - Les Ogres de Barback
10. Lily - Pierre Perret (ou plutôt la version d’Olivia Ruiz et Féfé)
1. 8 plus rien - Les Cowboys Fringants
2. L'aigle noir - Barbara
3. La chanson des vieux amants - Jacques Brel
4. La Foule - Édith Piaf
5. L'hymne à l'amour - Édith Piaf
6. La femme chocolat - Olivia Ruiz
7. Les voyageurs des Ogres de Barback
8. Ma liberté de penser - Florent Pagny
9. Le Métèque - Georges Moustaki
10. Santé - Stromae
From Monday onwards, you can find our activities associated with some of these songs in the Resources tab.
N’hésite pas à explorer ces chansons et à les écouter pour améliorer ton français ! 🎶🇫🇷
All students often ask me about my favorite French-language bands and singers. Here's a list of artists who resonate with me:
note that this is only a 'favourites' list, as these artists play a lot on words and sounds, and are not necessarily accessible to everyone in terms of comprehension
Les Ogres de Barback :
Les Ogres de Barback are the embodiment of poetry in French music. They are 4 (now 5) brothers and sisters. Their festive, committed folk, mixed with finely-crafted lyrics, creates a unique experience. Their songs resonate with raw energy and a deep human connection. Home | Les Ogres de Barback
Les Cowboys Fringants :
The Quebec folk-rock of Les Cowboys Fringants offers driving rhythms and biting lyrics. Their songs tell the stories of everyday life with humour and a critical eye, transporting us to the heart of Quebec. Les Cowboys Fringants | home
Dub Incorporation :
Dub Incorporation's French reggae is a call for peace and diversity. Their haunting rhythms and committed lyrics create a warm atmosphere, giving a sense of unity and harmony. Dubinc | Home (dub-inc.com)
Stromae :
Stromae, the Belgian master of electro-pop, combines catchy melodies with introspective lyrics. His songs touch both the soul and the dancefloor, exploring deep themes with a touch of irony. Stromae
Zaz :
Zaz's powerful, passionate voice evokes the spirit of gypsy jazz. Her songs are about authenticity, resilience and love. Her boundless energy conveys powerful emotions. Zaz - Official website (zazofficial.com)
and so on : Brassens, Tryo, Sinsemilia, Olivia Ruiz...
Remember that learning a language is an ongoing process.
Stay motivated and engaged by using fun and interesting learning tools like music.
I hope this article inspires you to incorporate music into your French learning routine.
If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to support you as you learn French with kindness and empathy.
Feel free to reach out if you need more tips on using music to improve your French or any other aspect of language learning! 🎶🇫🇷
Comments