Looking to make your PTE
review a bit more fun and relaxed without losing its efficacy? Music can
help you with that. Since when we are young, songs have been used to teach us
the fundamentals of the language. Whether it be teaching us the English
alphabet or telling us a story with a moral at the end, songs are effective
language teachers.
The same goes now that
you’re older and are looking to improve your English. Songs can help you, with
the bonus of entertaining you as you prepare for your PTE Academic.
However, to more effectively use this alternative learning method, you need to
follow a few tips:
• Use earphones/headphones. If you’re living alone, it is fine to play the
music out loud; however, using earphones/headphones can be quite useful when
you’re trying to listen to songs while in commute or in a public place. Treat
it as your personal singer as you travel to your PTE review center.
• Sing along. You don’t need to sound great. You need to be able to practice
saying the words the singer is singing.
• Read the lyrics. This is important. Listening to lots of songs can improve your
listening skills, but will not do anything for your speaking skills. Research
and download the song’s lyrics and read them out loud, enunciating each word
perfectly.
• Be picky with your songs. Rap songs, where the singer blurts out almost
300 words per minute, won’t do you much good. Lullabies are no different if
they put you to sleep before you even get the chance to analyze the song.
Choose a song that you can enjoy and at the same time contains enough substance
for analysis.
Speaking of great songs and
singers, here are a few suggestions.
1.
The Mountain Goats (check out “Done Bleeding” and “Younger”)
Led by John Darnielle, this indie folk-rock band is famous for
producing lo-fi music on cassette and vinyl. In the early 2000s, they switched
to the more polished, studio approach—and because of that, you can now listen
to their songs and delight in their rich storytelling, deep emotions, and
delightful rhythm. Darnielle also enunciates each word clearly so you’ll have
no trouble following what he says.
2.
Coldplay (check out “The Scientist” and “Fix You”)
This British rock band led by vocalist/pianist Chris Martin is one
of the most successful musical artists in recent years with their latest tour,
A Head Full of Dreams, ranking as the fifth top-grossing concert tours of all
time. Their emotional songs will keep you interested and curious enough to
study their rich and multi-layered lyrics.
3.
Pentatonix (check out any of their Christmas album covers)
4.
Pentatonix is a multi-awarded, Grammy-winning, American a capella
group from Texas, who are famous for their Christmas albums and covers. As they
are an a cappella group, it is quite easy to understand their songs and mimic
their pronunciation. Their mesmerizing arrangement is a big bonus.
So, load up on these songs
and more, and make your PTE Academic training more musical!
SOURCES
Cristiano,
Michael. “10 Cool Pop Songs That Make Learning English Incredibly Easy.”
FluentU. Accessed on July 10, 2019. Accessed from: https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/easy-english-songs/
“Learn
English With 11 Songs.” Speak English with Vanessa. Accessed on July 10, 2019.
Accessed from: https://www.speakenglishwithvanessa.com/learn-english-11-songs/#.XShIaT8zbcs
Ray,
Dhritiman. “Learning English with Music: 17 Hot New Songs for English Learners.”
FluentU. Accessed on July 10, 2019. Accessed from: https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/learn-english-with-music/
“The
Best Songs to Learn English With!” The English Helper Blog. Accessed on July 10,
2019. Accessed from: https://www.englishhelper.com/resources/blog/best-songs-learn-english/
Wikipedia.
Accessed on July 10, 2019. Accessed from: www.wikipedia.org.
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