The Role of English Songs in Developing EFL Students’ Vocabulary Mastery
Abstrak
Vocabulary mastery is important in English learning because it supports learners’ ability to comprehend and communicate in English. However, EFL students often experience difficulties in learning and retaining vocabulary through traditional approaches. English songs provide an alternative learning medium through lyrics, melody, rhythm, and repeated exposure. This study aims to examine the role of English songs in developing EFL students’ vocabulary and explore how rhythm, lyrical style, and repetition support vocabulary development. A qualitative approach using a descriptive literature review method was employed. Fourteen relevant studies published between 2020 and 2025 were selected and descriptively analyzed by identifying, grouping, and comparing findings related to the research questions. The findings indicate that English songs support vocabulary development through repeated exposure, contextualized input, recognition of word forms and meanings, learner engagement, and autonomous learning. Rhythm, lyrical characteristics, and repetition also support vocabulary learning. The study concludes that English songs can serve as a supplementary medium for vocabulary learning when appropriately selected and combined with purposeful learning activities
Referensi
Alharthi, T., & Alharbi, B. (2024). The Impact of English Songs on Vocabulary Learning: A Comparative Analysis between School Curriculum and YouTube. Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences (PJLSS), 22(2), 13687–13701. https://doi.org/10.57239/pjlss-2024-22.2.00982
Alqahtani, M. (2015). The importance of vocabulary in language learning and how to be taught. International Journal of Teaching and Education, III(3), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.20472/te.2015.3.3.002
Ammelia, D. R., Qomariyah, S. N., Novianti, R., Julianto, & Wiryanto. (2024). Improving Vocabulary Learning Through Songs for Elementary School Students Using a Constructivist Approach. Education and Human Development Journal, 9(2), 163–172. https://doi.org/10.33086/ehdj.v9i2
Aras, B., Bozkurt, S., & Önen, S. (2024). Exploring Figurative Language Usage in Contemporary Music: Pedagogical Implications for English Language Instruction. Novitas-ROYAL (Research on Youth and Language), 18(2), 29–51. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13860646
Basori, B., & Setyowati, I. S. C. (2024). A case study of EFL students’ perceptions on the use of English songs in learning English vocabulary. Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning (JETLE), 5(2), 107–117. https://doi.org/10.18860/jetle.v5i2.25908
Busse, V., Hennies, C., Kreutz, G., & Roden, I. (2021). Learning grammar through singing? An intervention with EFL primary school learners. Learning and Instruction, 71(June 2020), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2020.101372
Hadi, A. S. A. (2017). Significance of Vocabulary in Achieving Efficient Learning. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS), 29(1), 271–285. http://asrjetsjournal.org/
Hadi, H. M. (2017). Improving The Vocabulary Mastery Using Inquiry-Based Learning. Simki Pedagogia, 1(4), 1–8.
Huang, Y.-C., & Chen, K. T.-C. (2024). Supporting EFL Listening Ability and Vocabulary Acquisition with Lyrics Training App. International Journal of Instruction, 17(2), 539–560. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2024.17230a
Imsa-ard, P. (2025). Extramural English (EE): Its effects on EFL undergraduates’ L2 vocabulary knowledge and affective variables. Social Sciences and Humanities Open, 12, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.102286
Karim, S. A., Sudiro, S., Annisa, D. R., Khairunnisa, H. I., & Rahmawati, D. A. (2022). Enhancing Vocabulary Mastery Through English Songs: In the Eyes of EFL Students. Ethical Lingua, 9(2), 449–458. https://doi.org/10.30605/25409190.439
Lazarurizqi, G. J., & Suryaman, A. M. (2022). Students’ Perspective and Experience Toward Learning Vocabulary Using Mobile Game. PROJECT (Professional Journal of English Education), 5(2), 316–321. https://doi.org/10.22460/project.v5i2.p316-321
Lestari, I. W., & Hardiyanti, N. (2020). Vocabulary learning autonomy through incorporation of english songs: Indonesian EFL students’ perspectives. 3L: The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies, 26(2), 94–104. https://doi.org/10.17576/3L-2020-2602-07
Omolara, I. (2023). The Method of Teaching English Using Music. International Journal Papier Public Review, 4(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.47667/ijppr.v4i1.187
Putri, A. R., Aisyah, S., Musyarofah, L., & Prasetyo, Y. (2025). The Implementation of the Logico Maximo Game to Young EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Learning. EDUCASIA: Jurnal Pendidikan, Pengajaran, Dan Pembelajaran, 10(2), 157–177. https://doi.org/10.21462/educasia.v10i2.369
Rahman, R. W., Syarif, A. R., & Tohamba, C. P. P. (2024). Enhancing Vocabulary Through English Songs : a Self-Directed Learning Experienced for Efl Students. Klasikal : Journal of Education, Language Teaching and Science, 6(3), 864–882. https://doi.org/10.52208/klasikal.v6i3.1236
Sarnou, D., & Sarnou, H. (2023). Teaching Algerian Third-Year Elementary-School Pupils English Vocabulary Through Songs: An Effective Instructional Tool to Enliven English Classes (pp. 277–296). https://doi.org/10.35765/mjse.2023.122414
Tilwani, S. A., MosaAbadi, F. A., Shafiee, S., & Azizi, Z. (2022). Effects of Songs on Implicit Vocabulary Learning: Spoken-Form Recognition, Form-Meaning Connection, and Collocation Recognition of Iranian English as a Foreign Language Learners. Frontiers in Education, 7(June), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.797344
Wardiman, M., Aminah, A., & Dewi, A. K. (2022). The Use of English Songs To Improve Students’ Vocabulary Mastery. E-Journal of ELTS (English Language Teaching Society), 10(1), 12–21. https://doi.org/10.22487/elts.v10i1.2224
Zhang, Y., Baills, F., & Prieto, P. (2023). Singing Songs Facilitates L2 Pronunciation and Vocabulary Learning: A Study with Chinese Adolescent ESL Learners. Languages, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/languages8030219
Alqahtani, M. (2015). The importance of vocabulary in language learning and how to be taught. International Journal of Teaching and Education, III(3), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.20472/te.2015.3.3.002
Ammelia, D. R., Qomariyah, S. N., Novianti, R., Julianto, & Wiryanto. (2024). Improving Vocabulary Learning Through Songs for Elementary School Students Using a Constructivist Approach. Education and Human Development Journal, 9(2), 163–172. https://doi.org/10.33086/ehdj.v9i2
Aras, B., Bozkurt, S., & Önen, S. (2024). Exploring Figurative Language Usage in Contemporary Music: Pedagogical Implications for English Language Instruction. Novitas-ROYAL (Research on Youth and Language), 18(2), 29–51. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13860646
Basori, B., & Setyowati, I. S. C. (2024). A case study of EFL students’ perceptions on the use of English songs in learning English vocabulary. Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning (JETLE), 5(2), 107–117. https://doi.org/10.18860/jetle.v5i2.25908
Busse, V., Hennies, C., Kreutz, G., & Roden, I. (2021). Learning grammar through singing? An intervention with EFL primary school learners. Learning and Instruction, 71(June 2020), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2020.101372
Hadi, A. S. A. (2017). Significance of Vocabulary in Achieving Efficient Learning. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS), 29(1), 271–285. http://asrjetsjournal.org/
Hadi, H. M. (2017). Improving The Vocabulary Mastery Using Inquiry-Based Learning. Simki Pedagogia, 1(4), 1–8.
Huang, Y.-C., & Chen, K. T.-C. (2024). Supporting EFL Listening Ability and Vocabulary Acquisition with Lyrics Training App. International Journal of Instruction, 17(2), 539–560. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2024.17230a
Imsa-ard, P. (2025). Extramural English (EE): Its effects on EFL undergraduates’ L2 vocabulary knowledge and affective variables. Social Sciences and Humanities Open, 12, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.102286
Karim, S. A., Sudiro, S., Annisa, D. R., Khairunnisa, H. I., & Rahmawati, D. A. (2022). Enhancing Vocabulary Mastery Through English Songs: In the Eyes of EFL Students. Ethical Lingua, 9(2), 449–458. https://doi.org/10.30605/25409190.439
Lazarurizqi, G. J., & Suryaman, A. M. (2022). Students’ Perspective and Experience Toward Learning Vocabulary Using Mobile Game. PROJECT (Professional Journal of English Education), 5(2), 316–321. https://doi.org/10.22460/project.v5i2.p316-321
Lestari, I. W., & Hardiyanti, N. (2020). Vocabulary learning autonomy through incorporation of english songs: Indonesian EFL students’ perspectives. 3L: The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies, 26(2), 94–104. https://doi.org/10.17576/3L-2020-2602-07
Omolara, I. (2023). The Method of Teaching English Using Music. International Journal Papier Public Review, 4(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.47667/ijppr.v4i1.187
Putri, A. R., Aisyah, S., Musyarofah, L., & Prasetyo, Y. (2025). The Implementation of the Logico Maximo Game to Young EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Learning. EDUCASIA: Jurnal Pendidikan, Pengajaran, Dan Pembelajaran, 10(2), 157–177. https://doi.org/10.21462/educasia.v10i2.369
Rahman, R. W., Syarif, A. R., & Tohamba, C. P. P. (2024). Enhancing Vocabulary Through English Songs : a Self-Directed Learning Experienced for Efl Students. Klasikal : Journal of Education, Language Teaching and Science, 6(3), 864–882. https://doi.org/10.52208/klasikal.v6i3.1236
Sarnou, D., & Sarnou, H. (2023). Teaching Algerian Third-Year Elementary-School Pupils English Vocabulary Through Songs: An Effective Instructional Tool to Enliven English Classes (pp. 277–296). https://doi.org/10.35765/mjse.2023.122414
Tilwani, S. A., MosaAbadi, F. A., Shafiee, S., & Azizi, Z. (2022). Effects of Songs on Implicit Vocabulary Learning: Spoken-Form Recognition, Form-Meaning Connection, and Collocation Recognition of Iranian English as a Foreign Language Learners. Frontiers in Education, 7(June), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.797344
Wardiman, M., Aminah, A., & Dewi, A. K. (2022). The Use of English Songs To Improve Students’ Vocabulary Mastery. E-Journal of ELTS (English Language Teaching Society), 10(1), 12–21. https://doi.org/10.22487/elts.v10i1.2224
Zhang, Y., Baills, F., & Prieto, P. (2023). Singing Songs Facilitates L2 Pronunciation and Vocabulary Learning: A Study with Chinese Adolescent ESL Learners. Languages, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/languages8030219
Diterbitkan
2026-08-14
##submission.howToCite##
Citra, C. S. F., Aisyah, S., & Musyarofah, L. (2026). The Role of English Songs in Developing EFL Students’ Vocabulary Mastery. JournEEL, 8(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.51836/journeel.v8i1.959
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