A language acquisition study published in the journal Cognition in 2008 suggests that listening to and singing along with music may play an important role in learning a language. Reported by Cognitive Daily , the study supports that singing in a foreign language can help a student learn that language faster. The concept isn’t unusual. Over the years, several friends have told me they practiced their French listening to Serge Gainsbourg, their Spanish listening to Cafe Tacuba, their Mandarin listening to Carsick Cars, and so forth.

You can test the study’s findings with the 10 Foreign Language Cover Songs we compiled here. Enjoy!

Johnny Cash performing I Walk the Line in German

Die Ärzte performing Gehn Wie Ein Ägypter
A German cover of The Bangles’ Walk Like An Egyptian

Seu Jorge performing David Bowie’s Life on Mars? in Portuguese

Los Campos Magnéticos performing El Galán de La Paternal
A Spanish cover of The Magnetic Fields’ The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side

Blondie performing Call Me in Spanish

Mikel Erentxun performing Esta Luz Nunca Se Apagará
A Spanish cover of The Smiths’ There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Rachid Taha performing Rock El Casbah
An Arabic cover of The Clash’s Rock The Casbah

Adriano Celentano performing Pregherò
An Italian cover of Ben E. King’s Stand By Me

Oksana Mysina and Oxy Rocks performing Не то уж теперь
A Russian cover of Bob Dylan’s Things Have Changed

Shang Shang Typhoon performing レットイットビー
A Japanese cover of The Beatles’ Let It Be

More Music for Language Learners:

For additional covers in foreign languages, visit these sites:

The Word: Foreign Language Covers Thread
Lyrics Training: Improving Language Skills Through Song

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