“ Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education.” Plato
Importance of good English vocabulary
Vocabulary is the key to communication. A rich vocabulary helps us to express our ideas well and makes the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing easier to perform. When you want to say something in a second language, it is the words that you feel you struggle for, rather than the grammar or pronunciation. Communication breaks down when people do not use the right words. With English becoming the most commonly used language, nationally and globally, improving English vocabulary has become a necessity. English vocabulary is also one of the essential elements of various competitive exams like GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, etc. making it an indispensable part of learning.
Challenges while building vocabulary
Many of us find it difficult to memorize the ‘not-so-commonly used’ words and their meanings. We tend to remember words that we meet quite often rather than some words we seldom come across. If we want to remember a new word, we should repeat these difficult new words frequently. Reading newspapers and books, playing vocabulary games, making visual aids, mnemonics, etc do help, but unless we revise or use them regularly, the words so learned are often forgotten. But often the biggest challenge is how to revise so many new difficult words!!!
Music and memory
It has been experientially and scientifically proven that music helps to enhance memory. It is not surprising to see one recalling one’s childhood rhymes just by listening to its small piece of a jingle. Yet recalling one’s history or geography lessons can be difficult at times. Neuroscientists have long debated the brain mechanisms related to memory, but they agree on one thing: information weaved with music is among the easiest to remember. Music provides a rhythm, a rhyme, and often alliteration, and hence acts as a powerful mnemonic device. The melody encourages repetition and thus memorization, which is perhaps why even the patients with advanced Alzheimer’s dementia have been known to sing along to a familiar song.
Many psychologists believe humans developed music and dance to aid in the retrieval of information. According to their opinions, epics, stories, and customs were presented as poems, chants, and, eventually, as songs, so that they can be easily memorized and recalled, thus helping people to remember and pass on large sets of information across the ages.
Music and mood
Music has the power to alter one’s mood and feelings. Upbeat, rhythmic music can act as an energy booster and revitalize the listeners, inspiring them to stay alert and maintain a cheerful attitude. In several researches, it was found that music has the potential to reduce depression and anxiety, and to improve self-esteem, and quality of life. In many countries, music therapy programs are being conducted to achieve goals like stress management and pain alleviation.
“ Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” — Plato
Music to build English vocabulary
Many schools across the world place a great emphasis on music education as music can help in learning by improving memory and listening skills. We can use this magic power of music to build our English vocabulary as well.
EdUstrums, an online portal to build English vocabulary, tries to weave difficult English vocabulary words into inspiring songs so that people across the world can experience the magic of music, get motivated, and strengthen their English vocabulary. Till date, it has ulpoaded 8 motivational vocabulary songs on its website and youtube channel and in an approx 2.5 minute duration song, almost 18–20 difficult words are covered. The songs have been made in such a way that even if one is not able to recall the exact meaning of some word, one can recognize its contextual meanings in the reference of the song. One can listen to these motivational vocabulary songs anywhere and anytime and hence learn, revise and memorize the ‘not so commonly used’ words simply by repetitive listening and singing. Anyone can access these songs for free from EdUstrums’ website www.edustrums.com and also from their youtube channel www.youtube.com/c/edustrums. One can also follow them on instagram at www.instagram.com/edustrum.
