Harnessing The Power of English Songs in ELT Classrooms: A Review of Pedagogical Impacts Across Educational Levels
Keywords:
English songs, instructional media, language skillsAbstract
The integration of songs into English Language Teaching (ELT) has gained increasing attention as an engaging and effective instructional approach. This literature review explores the role of English songs as instructional media in enhancing students’ language skills across various educational levels. Drawing on studies published between 2011 and 2021 from databases such as Google Scholar and Publish or Perish, the review focuses on how songs contribute to the development of listening, speaking, vocabulary, pronunciation, and learner motivation. The analysis is organized according to three educational contexts: junior high school, senior high school, and higher education. Findings suggest that the use of English songs can foster a positive learning atmosphere, reduce learners’ anxiety, and improve engagement and skill acquisition. The review highlights the pedagogical value of songs in ELT and provides practical insights for educators seeking to implement song-based strategies in their classrooms
References
Andriani, E. A., Akib, E., & Ma’ruf, A. (2018). The use of Spotify application to improve students’ listening ability through English songs. Journal of Computer Interaction in Education, 1(2), 47–52.
Anggraini, R. R., & Fauzi, M. A. (2019). Students’ perceptions: The use of Joox to enhance vocabulary and listening skill. Proceeding of 1st Conference of English Language and Literature (CELL), 11, 1–6.
Arif, H., Artamevia, A., Nurunni’mah, L., Istiqomah, N., Qusrini, D., & Nikmah, A. (2021). Instructional listening materials using audiovisual (at Student English Club of IAIN Kudus). Britania Journal of English Teaching, 4(1), 1–14.
Bokiev, D., Bokiev, U., Aralas, D., Ismail, L., & Othman, M. (2018). Utilizing music and songs to promote student engagement in ESL classrooms. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(12), 314–332. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v8-i12/5051
Fadhli, M. (2017). The use of English song-based worksheets in teaching vocabulary for young learners. Journal of English Language Teaching and Linguistics, 2(1), 13–22.
Faliyanti, E. (2017). The influence of English song toward students’ vocabulary mastery and students’ motivation. Premise: Journal of English Education and Applied Linguistics, 6(1), 77–84. https://doi.org/10.24127/pj.v6i1.785
Hadi, M. S. (2019). The use of song in teaching English for junior high school student. English Language in Focus (ELIF), 1(2), 107-112.
Hidayat, A. (2013). The use of English songs in teaching listening skills for young learners. Journal of English and Education, 1(1), 21–29.
Lailiyah, M., & Cahyono, B. Y. (2022). The use of songs to improve students’ motivation and pronunciation in English classes. Studies in English Language and Education, 9(1), 150–164. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v9i1.22180
Lestari, H. P., Suwartono, T., & Yuliasri, I. (2022). Integrating English pop songs into critical literacy for EFL university students. Journal of English Language Teaching and Linguistics, 7(3), 559–572. https://doi.org/10.21462/jeltl.v7i3.1110
Melati, M., Utami, E., & Syarayani, F. (2021). An analysis of students’ comprehension in pronouncing English words by using song. Edu-Ling: Journal of English Education and Linguistics, 4(2), 187–195. https://doi.org/10.32663/edu-ling.v4i2.2106
Millington, N. T. (2011). Using songs effectively to teach English to young learners. Language Education in Asia, 2(1), 134–141. https://doi.org/10.5746/LEiA/11/V2/I1/A11/Millington
Nugroho, A., & Mutiaraningrum, I. (2021). EFL students’ perceptions on using English pop songs to improve pronunciation and listening skills. Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 6(1), 13–30. https://doi.org/10.21093/ijeltal.v6i1.931
Pratiwi, F. (2020). Enhancing vocabulary mastery through English songs for senior high school students. Journal of English Language Teaching Innovations, 2(2), 98–106. (Silakan dicek dan dikonfirmasi kembali karena tidak disebutkan di bagian references artikel, hanya di pembahasan.)
Putri, A. A., & Ningsih, A. D. (2021). Designing a song-based learning framework for English vocabulary acquisition. Journal of English Language Teaching and Linguistics, 6(2), 209–220. https://doi.org/10.21462/jeltl.v6i2.610
Putri, N. D., Ridwan, N. M., Lestari, D. S., Husniah, N., & Ihsan, M. T. (2021). Cultural approach to teach English: Music as a teaching and therapy in learning English. Jurnal Syntax Fusion, 1(7), 179–187.
Rais, B., Pranowo, D. D., & Sari, R. P. I. P. (2020, August). The use of song in teaching English pronunciation. In 1st International Conference on Language, Literature, and Arts Education (ICLLAE 2019) (pp. 133–137). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.200804.025
Rokhayati, R., & Rahmawati, S. (2020). Enhancing EFL learners' vocabulary mastery through English songs. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 8(3), 266–273. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v8i3.2763
Rohmah, N., & Indah, R. N. (2021). The use of modified English song to improve vocabulary. ELTIN Journal: Journal of English Language Teaching in Indonesia, 9(2), 121–129. https://doi.org/10.22460/eltin.v9i2.p121-129
Yuliana, S., & Indriani, L. (2023). Using song lyrics to promote cultural awareness in EFL classrooms. TEFLIN Journal, 34(1), 112–128. https://doi.org/10.15639/teflinjournal.v34i1/112-128
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Marisa Linia, Yuni Putri Utami, Awati Fane, Achmad Faqih, Moh. Taufik

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.