FAH-ELC ECAC Student Activity Write-up: Using English and Music (Workshop)

FAH-ELC ECAC Student Activity Write-up: Using English and Music (Workshop)

Have you ever considered that we can also improve our English language skills through music?  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a renowned American poet and educator, famously stated that music is the universal language of mankind (Gottlieb, 2023). Indeed, music plays a vital role in our lives, and the English Co-Curricular Activities Committee (ECAC) of English Language Centre organized the workshop titled “Using English with Music” facilitated by Mr. Joshua Lee, ELC Senior Instructor of English, on 26 April 2023. The workshop was focused on learning English through music which can be helpful for students in relieving stress and enjoy their studies.

It began with an interactive activity in which participants discussed the lyrics and the song patterns of the popular song ‘Count on Me’ by Bruno Mars. Through this exercise, the instructor introduced the grammar points of “if conditional” and “future tense”. He also introduced the application of the analogy, metaphor, simile, as well as the use of reduced form of English words used in the song composition. The participants completed a quiz online which identified these points while listening to the song.

After that, Mr. Lee introduced the website: Ultimate guitar tabs which is a good tool for learning how to play songs on different musical instruments. Some participants were then invited to play a song together using the instrument they brought with them. Overall, the workshop aimed to teach participants about the relationship between music and language, while also provided practical knowledge about grammar and musical instruments.

The workshop was attended by students from both the graduate and undergraduate programme.

Reference:

Gottlieb, J. (2023, February 9). New Harvard Study Says Music is universal language. Harvard Gazette. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/11/new-harvard-study-establishes-music-is-universal/ 

Written by Alan Chan Kuan Lon and Manna Chio Man Teng

Mr. Lee demonstrating the use of English in music	Students discussing the English language components of a composition
Demonstration of a song composition is like writing an essay	Students singing along with English sign language
Students singing along with English sign language
Students singing along with their musical instrument (1)	Students singing along with their musical instrument (2)

Thanks a lot for your attention. 

Best Regards,
English Co-Curricular Activities Committee (ECAC)
English Language Centre
Faculty of Arts and Humanities