C'est la musique qui fait la langue
Issue 3/2017 of the magazine "Babylonia" is dedicated to the topic of how language learning can be supported by music.
In the context of music lessons, the so-called transfer effect is often discussed, i.e. the phenomenon that a musical activity has a positive influence on learning in other areas. In issue 3/2017 of the magazine Babylonia is now about language learning, which can be supported, facilitated and at the same time deepened through the use of songs, chansons, pop songs, musical theater or music videos. One of the many authors sums it up with an example: "During stays in Senegal and Togo, I learned a few words and phrases from the tribal languages wolof and éwé. I soon forgot most of it again. But I can still sing songs in both languages ..." (p. 88) Music anchors a foreign language in a completely different way than a purely intellectual approach; it enables more emotional and pleasurable learning and conveys a cultural atmosphere far beyond the text.
It is not about such "exotic" languages, but about German, French, Italian, Spanish and English. The 20 articles in the 120-page booklet examine the topic from primary to tertiary level; the authors are teachers or lecturers at teacher training colleges or universities, experts in didactics. Most of the short articles are aimed directly at a teaching situation and provide practical assistance, supplemented by didactic materials (some of which can be found on the babylonia.ch website). Many lists are also valuable, for example of chansons with the themes they address or of canzoni that can be used to explore the history of Italy through song. One chapter is dedicated to song collections La Fondue déchaînée dedicated (cf. SMZ 4/2018, p. 10f.). "Toc-Toc - Bonjour canon" is also explicitly aimed at music teachers. This is not the case with the other articles, but it is clear that teacher training without basic musical knowledge has fatal consequences not only for the subject of music.
Babylonia, the "Journal for Language Teaching and Learning" lives up to its name. It contains articles in German, French, Italian and Romansh, each with a short introduction in another language. The magazine is published three times a year.
Babylonia. Journal for language teaching and learning, issue 3/2017: Songs, music & languages; subscription Fr. 50, single issue Fr. 20 (+ postage); published by Fondazione Lingue e Culture, Bellinzona
