Sunshine, good vibes, and unforgettable live music – summer music festivals are a highlight of the season. But these festivals can be more than just a party; they can be an immersive English learning experience! This week, at The London Eye – English Consultant, we’ll explore how to leverage the power of music to boost your English vocabulary, grammar skills, and cultural understanding.
Unveiling the Lyrics:
Music festivals offer a treasure trove of lyrics waiting to be explored. Here’s how to turn them into a learning opportunity:
- Choose a song from the festival lineup you’re familiar with.
- Find the lyrics online. Many music streaming services and artist websites offer lyrics alongside the music. You can try Shazam or Soundhound, two of our favorites!!!
- Focus on vocabulary and grammar: Underline new words or interesting grammatical structures used in the song. Research the meaning of unfamiliar words and analyze how tenses or sentence structures contribute to the overall message.
Let’s Break Down an Example: «Perfect» by Ed Sheeran:
Ed Sheeran’s «Perfect» is a love song filled with relatable lyrics that can help us explore different aspects of English. Let’s analyze these two lines:
«Well, I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know. She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I’ll share her home»
Vocabulary:
- Stronger: This comparative adjective describes the woman’s strength, implying both physical and emotional resilience.
- Shares: This verb indicates that the woman and the speaker have common goals and aspirations, using at the same time the 3rd person singular of the Present Simple.
- Dreams: This noun in the plural refers to the speaker’s ambitions and desires for the future.
- Home: This noun can have a literal meaning (a physical house) or a figurative meaning (a place of belonging and comfort).
Grammar:
- Well: This adverb functions here as a discourse marker, introducing the speaker’s positive sentiment about finding this woman.
- I found: This Simple Past tense verb indicates a completed action in the past that has a lasting impact on the present.
- She shares: This Present Simple tense verb depicts an ongoing action or characteristic of the woman.
- I hope: This verb introduces a hopeful statement about the future.
- Someday: This adverb refers to an unspecified point in the future.
- I’ll share: This Future tense verb expresses the speaker’s desire for a future together.
Cultural Reference:
While not a direct historical reference, the concept of «sharing a home» with someone can be interpreted as a symbol of commitment and intimacy in Western cultures. It suggests a desire to build a life together.
Additionally:
- Figurative Language: The song doesn’t use figurative language in these specific lines, but «Perfect» is known for its metaphors («barefoot on the grass») that can be explored in a full analysis.
By analyzing these elements, we gain a deeper understanding of the lyrics’ meaning and how the artist uses language to express love, hope, and aspirations for the future.
Beyond the Lyrics:
Music festivals aren’t just about the music itself. Here are other ways to boost your English:
- Engage with fellow festival-goers: Strike up conversations with people from different countries and backgrounds. Discuss the music, festival experience, or anything that piques your interest.
- Read festival reviews and interviews: Many publications and online platforms offer festival reviews and interviews with artists. Immerse yourself in English language articles related to the music you’re enjoying. Check the latest info here
- Participate in singalongs: Many festival anthems encourage crowd participation. Singing along is a fun way to practice pronunciation and rhythm in a supportive environment.
Bonus Tip: Create a playlist of your favorite festival songs and listen to them throughout the week. Pay attention to the lyrics and how the music makes you feel.
By actively engaging with music at summer festivals, you can transform them into an exciting and dynamic English learning experience. So, grab your sunscreen, put on your dancing shoes, and get ready to rock your English skills this summer!
The London Eye - English Consultant 