Music Training Improves Language Learning, Studies Show


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Researchers have found that children who learn an instrument find learning languages much easier, even as adults. It has been proven that music training improves language learning, however, it is not only the ability to learn foreign languages that is boosted. Children who study music before the age of seven also develop better linguistic abilities in their mother tongue. Musicians have bigger vocabularies, better pronunciation and a stronger awareness of grammar than their non-musical friends. Read on to find out more about how music is linked with language learning.

 

The Connection Between Music and Language 

Humans started creating music 500,000 years ago, yet speech and language was only developed 200,000 years ago. It is even thought that speech as a form of communication developed from our early use of music. This connection explains why our brains process language and music in the same way.

Studies have found that music training improves language learning because it boosts all the language-related networks in the brain. This makes it highly beneficial for the development of a child’s native language skills and the acquisition of foreign languages.

 

Before the age of seven, the brain undergoes some very important changes. This is a vital time for growth and development as 95% of the brain’s growth occurs during these early years.

If children learn an instrument at this time the brain’s gains a stronger ability to process subtle differences in sound. This helps when it comes to pronunciation in language learning.

 

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Music Training Improves Language Learning

Researchers found that when children aged nine and under were taught music for one hour a week, they showed an improved ability to learn the grammar and pronunciation of foreign languages.

Another group of children who followed different activities but no music training showed no such improvements in language learning ability.

This boost to a child’s language skills does not finish in childhood. Studies have found that music training improves language learning forever.

The effects last a lifetime with adults who received music training as children able to learn foreign languages more quickly and efficiently than those who did not learn an instrument in early childhood.

This improved linguistic ability has much to do with learning about the spacing of musical notes, melody and rhythm in music, which all bring.a greater awareness of intonation, stress and rhythm in language.

One Hour of Music a Week Enough to Benefit

Another study showed that music study helps children develop better reading skills. In fact, training in music is a proven method of improving the general intellectual ability of a child.

There is no need to practice an instrument for hours and hours every day. Just one hour of music practice per week is enough to enjoy the benefits, with measurable improvements seen in language ability and a significant increase in IQ.

Children seem to gain the most intellectual benefits from music training when they also engage in free play, which lets them discover and learn about the world for themselves.

This relaxed attitude to learning through play is strong in the Finnish culture, whose people often speak many foreign languages.

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Finnish Approach to Music and Learning

Interestingly, children in Finland often learn musical instruments at young ages using the playful Musiikkileikkikoulu method, but they only start formal schooling at age seven. Their formal language training does not begin until age nine or older.

Despite this late start, adult Finns often speak three, four or sometimes five foreign languages. Most Finnish people can speak English fluently. So this approach to music, schooling and language learning seems to work.

Share your thoughts

 

Do you think the UK should adopt the Finnish approach to music and learning? Should children start formal schooling later?

Did you learn a musical instrument as a child? Do you think it helped you when learning a language?

Do you speak more than one language fluently?

What other non language-related activities do you think can help improve linguistic ability?

Do you think studying music improves your ability to learn languages?

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