Salvador Sabral’s victory for Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest this year is the first time that a non-English Eurovision song has won the coveted crown since 2007. Salvador performed Amar Pelos Dois (Love For Both) at the Grand Final in Kiev to an enraptured crowd. One of the most interesting elements of the singer’s performance was that the bossa nova was entirely in Portuguese, written and composed by his sister. Continue reading
This Christmas was the first anniversary of the death of pop star and esteemed singer-songwriter George Michael, who passed away on Christmas Day 2016. As a tribute to his song-writing talent and philanthropic work we have taken one of his most famous tracks as inspiration for language learners. Careless Whisper contains many interesting phrases that are useful to English language students, so let’s consider this classic song and use George’s clever and evocative lyrics to help EFL learners get to grips with some new vocabulary and expressions. Continue reading
Eurovision is the colourful, over-the-top, cheesy and fabulous international music competition that is broadcast every year across Europe, Asia, the US and Australia to millions of fans and ironic supporters! The Eurovision Song Contest Final always offers an evening of fun and excitement, packed with wacky musical delights.
The Eurovision Final 2022 airs on Saturday 14th May. Come along and explore the ballads, pop songs and other tuneful entries from some of the hopeful nations right here. Plus, we’ll explain how the competition works and consider how the Eurovision Song Contest can add a melodious edge to your next EFL lesson! Continue reading
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. Continue reading
Sound, language and emotion have strong links. Over 130 years ago, Darwin suggested that speech and melody have the same ancestor. Now two academics have returned to the idea and are currently researching the connection between sound and emotion in relation to language.
It seems that the tone of someone’s voice can affect our emotions in the same way that other sounds in the natural world can, such as running water or barking dogs.
We can feel calm, anxious, excited or happy and can even have our perceptions altered by the tones we hear.
Read on to explore the connection between sounds and emotions as we think about what this means for language. Continue reading
The London Jazz Festival 2018 is in full swing! People have been flocking to the capital to hear the melodious blast of trumpets, the rhythmic scratchings of snare drums and the ponderous strummings of the stately bass. So what better time to think about using music in the EFL classroom?
Music speaks to everyone, crossing cultural divides and vaulting language barriers with ease. Music is the perfect extra teacher in the classroom, especially this week with the London Jazz Festival in full swing. Read on to find out more about this world famous music festival and how it can bring a boost to the EFL classroom. Continue reading
