Learning a New Language with Music

Can learning an instrument enhance and accelerate your second language acquisition?

Welcome, aspiring polyglot! One of the most interesting things about learning a new language in a new country is finding out how many differences there actually are from one nation to the next. Many children in the US learn to some extent how to read music.

Whether or not they pay attention in that class is an entirely separate issue. Foreign languages are difficult enough without also altering a secondary reading system. Personally, I ran into this when taking music classes while living in Belgium. French was difficult enough, but what did they mean that the notes weren't A-G?!

Different approaches to language acquisition

If you have ever studied music in English you may be familiar with the mnemonic FACE or Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge, see charts below for how I was taught to read the treble clef:

Imagine my shock when I discovered that this is not how things are done universally around the world. Though it was equally shocking for my host family as I endeavored to explain the differences. This is just one way that learning how to play an instrument from someone who speaks your target language can benefit you. Having multiple ways to recall something will always enhance and accelerate your second language acquisition. The first thing you will have to deal with is learning the terminology.