In elementary school I was taught the 50 States that rhyme song to help me remember all of the United States in alphabetical order. To this day, I remember almost all of the words to the song and by default, can recite the states from A to Z.
I think for most people, music is a good medium for learning. And as I look for new, convenient ways to practice Spanish, I’ve recently stumbled upon a new addiction.
While we were in Costa Rica, I saw the video for “Lo Hecho Esta Hecho” (I did It Again) by Shakira on TV in one of our hotel rooms. I had always liked the song in English but for some reason hearing it in Spanish made me like it even more – it’s been on my gym playlist ever since.
I also had no idea what she was saying so I looked up the lyrics, which I frequently read while listening to the song when Mike’s not home. Yeah I try to sing it too. It’s kind of like my revenge on my downstairs neighbors who constantly rock the same four R&B songs on repeat at a volume that makes my floor shake.
Do you ever listen to music in another language to help you learn?
I personally never really learned Spanish this way – although in Spanish classes in college we sang a lot of songs together in class.
One of my friends used to take a song (she relied heavily on Faith and other George Michael classics) and then rewrote the lyrics to be in the language that she was studying (Italian). It really worked for her, because then she’d just sing the lyrics when she was taking the test.
I remember reciting Shakira songs in my high school Spanish class. Our teacher would print out the lyrics and we would recite them together as a class and then have to translate. Actually was a lot of fun and I definitely learned from it (though I’ve forgotten most of it by now).
First of all, I know all the states in alphabetical order too! Isn’t in the best party trick?? People tend to be very impressed!
Also, music was a bit part of my high school Spanish classes. I discovered Shakira in 9th grade in Spanish class! We also listened to a lot of Jon Secada- “Otra Dia Mas Sin Verte.” And, of course, Enrique Iglesias. Oh, and watching Spanish soap opera’s helped too
My teachers in HS would always play music. One teacher was a big Enrique and the other was allll about Shakira. It is funny because I now prefer Shakira in Spanish to her in English!
Amo esta cancion!!!!!!!! I listen to this song almost every day when I workout.