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<div id='article-page'><div id='article-content' data-media-url='//news-app-staging.s3.amazonaws.com' data-base-url='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/sing_audio.m4a' data-capture-url='//staging.analytics.lingraphica.com/events/capture_news' data-article-title='Brain Remembers Language Better If You Sing It' data-article-id='410'><script src='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com/javascripts/getscripts.js'></script><link rel='stylesheet' href='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com/stylesheets/article.css' type='text/css' /><div class='article'><p><span data-start-time='0' data-end-time='14271'>Have you ever found yourself in this situation: You hear a song you used to sing when you were a child a bit of nostalgia or “blast from the past,” as we say.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='14271' data-end-time='18208'>But it is not a distant childhood memory. </span> <span data-start-time='18208' data-end-time='24792'>The words come back to you as clearly as when you sang them all those years ago. </span> <span data-start-time='24792' data-end-time='27083'>Here is an example:</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='27083' data-end-time='30604'>I had not heard this song in years. </span> <span data-start-time='30604' data-end-time='38063'>But when a deejay played it recently at a children’s birthday party, I sang it word for word.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='38063' data-end-time='42250'>"I find it quite interesting a noun’s a person, place or thing.”</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='42250' data-end-time='49063'>This is the Schoolhouse Rock song that taught me what nouns are and I never forgot it.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='49063' data-end-time='53333'>It seems there is a scientific reason for this.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='53333' data-end-time='62646'>Researchers at the University of Edinburgh studied the relationship between music and remembering a foreign language. </span> <span data-start-time='62646' data-end-time='71646'>They found that remembering words in a song was the best way to remember even one of the most difficult languages.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='71646' data-end-time='73667'>Here is what they did.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='73667' data-end-time='80896'>Researchers took 60 adults and randomly split them into three groups of 20. </span> <span data-start-time='80896' data-end-time='88292'>Then they gave the groups three different types of “listen-and-repeat” learning conditions.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='88292' data-end-time='92813'>Researchers had one group simply speak the words. </span> <span data-start-time='92813' data-end-time='98479'>They had the second group speak the words to a rhythm, or beat.</span> <span data-start-time='98479' data-end-time='103000'>And they asked the third group to sing the words.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='103000' data-end-time='109146'>All three groups studied words from the Hungarian language for 15 minutes. </span> <span data-start-time='109146' data-end-time='115167'>Then they took part in a series of language tests to see what they remembered.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='115167' data-end-time='117458'>Why Hungarian, you ask? </span> <span data-start-time='117458' data-end-time='124125'>Researchers said they chose Hungarian because not many people know the language. </span> <span data-start-time='124125' data-end-time='132292'>It does not share any roots with Germanic or Romance languages, such as Italian or Spanish.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='132292' data-end-time='138333'>After the tests were over, the singers came out on top.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='138333' data-end-time='146396'>The people who learned these new Hungarian words by singing them showed a higher overall performance. </span> <span data-start-time='146396' data-end-time='150438'>They did the best in four out of five of the tests. </span> <span data-start-time='150438' data-end-time='157917'>They also performed two times better than those who simply learned the words by speaking them.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='157917' data-end-time='164458'>Dr. Katie Overy supervised the study at the university’s Reid School of Music. </span> <span data-start-time='164458' data-end-time='170042'>She says singing could lead to new ways to learning a foreign language. </span> <span data-start-time='170042' data-end-time='178917'>The brain, it seems, likes to remember things when they are contained in a catchy, or memorable, tune.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='178917' data-end-time='186417'>Dr. Overy worked with Dr. Karen Ludke and Professor Fernanda Ferreira on this study. </span> <span data-start-time='186417' data-end-time='190729'>Their findings are published in the journal Memory and Cognition. </span> </p><p><span data-start-time='190729' data-end-time='197063'>Dr. Ludke said the findings could help those who struggle to learn foreign languages. </span> <span data-start-time='197063' data-end-time='216875'>On the University of Edinburgh’s website Dr. Ludke writes, “This study provides the first experimental evidence that a listen-and-repeat singing method can support foreign language learning, and opens the door for future research in this area.”</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='216875' data-end-time='223125'>Language teachers already know the value of using music and singing.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='223125' data-end-time='232708'>A teacher at a Chinese language school in Washington, D.C. relies heavily on songs and chants to teach Chinese. </span> <span data-start-time='232708' data-end-time='243167'>Hua Zhu Ying teaches students who most likely have never spoken Chinese before coming to the school. </span> <span data-start-time='243167' data-end-time='249604'>Ms. Hua says she uses music all the time to teach children Chinese.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='249604' data-end-time='259313'> “For example, for little kids usually we will use English songs but we are teaching them the Chinese lyrics. </span> <span data-start-time='259313' data-end-time='264021'>So it’s easy for them to start because they know the music. </span> <span data-start-time='264021' data-end-time='268250'>They just need to translate into Chinese words. ” </span> </p><p><span data-start-time='268250' data-end-time='273583'>She adds that not only does it work, but it is fun for the kids.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='273583' data-end-time='282729'>“So, I think they are really having fun learning Chinese songs using English music. </span> <span data-start-time='282729' data-end-time='292479'>Sometimes, I think if I were taught English like that way maybe I would speak much better English than now.”</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='292479' data-end-time='295146'>I’m Anna Matteo.</span> </p></div><div class='control-buttons-sticky' style='display:none;'><div class='control-buttons'><button title='Back' class='back' disabled='disabled'></button><button title='Play' class='play' disabled='disabled'></button><button title='Pause' class='pause' style='display:none;'></button><button title='Forward' class='forward' disabled='disabled'></button><button class='finished-reading' style='display:none;'>Done</button></div></div></div><div id='article-media'><div id='media-image'><img src='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/singing_image.jpg'/></div></div><div id='question-content' style='display:none;'><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=2432 data-hint-location='73667' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/what_does_randomly_mean.m4a'>What does <strong>randomly</strong> mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='done without a particular plan or pattern'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/a_violent_storm.m4a'><span>a violent storm</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/done_without_a_particular_plan_or_pattern.m4a'><span>done without a particular plan or pattern</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/short_for_disc_jockey.m4a'><span>short for disc jockey</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/occurring_in_the_past.m4a'><span>occurring in the past</span></div></div></div><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=2433 data-hint-location='30604' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/what_does_deejay_mean.m4a'>What does <strong>deejay</strong> mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='short for disc jockey'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/a_violent_storm.m4a'><span>a violent storm</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/to_divide.m4a'><span>to divide</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/short_for_disc_jockey.m4a'><span>short for disc jockey</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/remembering_the_past.m4a'><span>remembering the past</span></div></div></div><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=2434 data-hint-location='0' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/what_does_nostalgic_mean.m4a'>What does <strong>nostalgic</strong> mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='pleasure and sadness that is caused by remembering something from the past'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/a_violent_storm.m4a'><span>a violent storm</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/to_divide.m4a'><span>to divide</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/short_for_disc_jockey.m4a'><span>short for disc jockey</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/pleasure_and_sadness_that_is_caused_by_remembering_something_from_the_past.m4a'><span>pleasure and sadness that is caused by remembering something from the past</span></div></div></div><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=2435 data-hint-location='117458' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/why_did_the_researchers_choose_hungarian.m4a'>Why did the researchers choose Hungarian?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='not many people know it'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/it_sounds_good.m4a'><span>it sounds good</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/not_many_people_know_it.m4a'><span>not many people know it</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/it_is_difficult.m4a'><span>it is difficult</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/it_is_easy.m4a'><span>it is easy</span></div></div></div><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=2436 data-hint-location='132292' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/which_group_from_the_experiment_remembered_the_language_the_best.m4a'>Which group from the experiment remembered the language the best?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='the singers'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/the_speakers.m4a'><span>the speakers</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/the_poets.m4a'><span>the poets</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/the_chanters.m4a'><span>the chanters</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/the_singers.m4a'><span>the singers</span></div></div></div><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=2437 data-hint-location='53333' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/what_can_music_help_people_to_remember.m4a'>What can music help people to remember?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='foreign languages'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/mathematical_equations.m4a'><span>mathematical equations</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/grammar_lessons.m4a'><span>grammar lessons</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/suppressed_memories.m4a'><span>suppressed memories</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/foreign_languages.m4a'><span>foreign languages</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=2438 data-hint-location='103000' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/all_three_groups_in_the_study_were_given_words_from_the__blank__language_to_learn.m4a'>All three groups in the study were given words from the <span class='blank'>Hungarian</span> language to learn.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='Hungarian'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/russian.m4a'><span>Russian</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/hungarian.m4a'><span>Hungarian</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/german.m4a'><span>German</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/english.m4a'><span>English</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=2439 data-hint-location='170042' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/the__blank__likes_to_remember_things_when_they_are_contained_in_a_catchy_tune.m4a'>The <span class='blank'>brain</span> likes to remember things when they are contained in a catchy tune.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='brain'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/body.m4a'><span>body</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/brain.m4a'><span>brain</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/heart.m4a'><span>heart</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/eyes.m4a'><span>eyes</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=2440 data-hint-location='62646' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/remembering_words_in_a__blank__is_said_to_be_the_best_way_to_remember_difficult_languages.m4a'>Remembering words in a <span class='blank'>song</span> is said to be the best way to remember difficult languages.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='song'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/song.m4a'><span>song</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/saying.m4a'><span>saying</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/textbook.m4a'><span>textbook</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/159/poem.m4a'><span>poem</span></div></div></div><div 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