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Article published In:
Pop culture in applied linguistics: International perspectives: Special issue of ITL - International Journal of Applied Linguistics 173:2 (2022)
Edited by Valentin Werner
[ITL - International Journal of Applied Linguistics 173:2] 2022
► pp. 251–285

Pop music in informal foreign language learning

A search for learner perspectives

ORCID logo | Edge Hill University
| Edge Hill University

There is currently little information about the kinds of foreign language pop music, songs and activities used by language learners in informal learning contexts. This systematic analysis provides an overview of research from 2010–2020 in an attempt to describe how foreign language learners find, listen to, and engage with pop songs from another country or culture and how this can lead to increased informal language learning, using qualitative observations and interview responses found in published articles to conduct thematic analysis using grounded theory. Thematic analysis resulted in six themes within the peer-reviewed qualitative journal articles, and we argue that more research is needed into learner perspectives and about how learners engage autonomously with L2 pop music in informal language learning.

Keywords: informal foreign language learning, pop music, songs and singing, learner perspectives, thematic analysis
Article outline
  • 1.Historical overview of music and songs used in foreign language learning and teaching
  • 2.Benefits of songs for foreign language learning in the classroom
    • 2.1Enjoyment, interest and motivation
    • 2.2Grammar learning
    • 2.3Phonological features
    • 2.4Vocabulary, memory and recall
    • 2.5Listening skills
    • 2.6Writing skills
    • 2.7Research questions
  • 3.Method
    • 3.1Data collection
    • 3.2Search terms
    • 3.3Selection criteria for article inclusion
    • 3.4Identification and selection of articles for systematic review
  • 4.Results
    • 4.1Music bridges formal and informal language learning
    • 4.2Learner autonomy and motivation is supported through informal foreign language use, of music and about music
    • 4.3Authentic language found in pop music is motivating for learners’ informal foreign language learning
    • 4.4How technology is used to access pop music for informal foreign language learning
    • 4.5Pop music links learners’ foreign language learning to the target culture, its cultural heritage and/or increases intercultural understanding
    • 4.6“Incidental” foreign language learning is enhanced through engaging with pop music outside of the classroom
  • 5.Discussion
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
Published online: 31 May 2022
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/itl.21009.lud
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