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How Music Facilitates Second Language (L2) Learning: A Systematic Review from 2002 to 2022

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Title: How Music Facilitates Second Language (L2) Learning: A Systematic Review from 2002 to 2022
Language: English
Authors: Bo Sun (ORCID 0000-0001-9011-8755), Juan Yang (ORCID 0000-0002-4868-3168), Zhijie Liang
Source: Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching. 2025 19(2):155-173.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Music, Correlation, Interdisciplinary Approach, Language Skills, Auditory Discrimination, Reading, Cognitive Processes, Cultural Awareness, Music Activities, Brain, Singing
DOI: 10.1080/17501229.2024.2350490
ISSN: 1750-1229
1750-1237
Abstract: Background: Applying music to learners' language learning/acquisition has a long research history. However, given that second language (L2) learning/acquisition is a complex process, the studies regarding applying music to L2 learning/acquisition are comparatively fragmented. Objectives: This review work analysed 87 articles that applied music to L2 learning/acquisition, or studied the relationships between music and L2 learning/acquisition. The focus of the research was to determine the correlation between music and L2 learning/acquisition and explore effective ways of applying music to facilitating the process of L2 learning/acquisition. Methods: Literature review. Results and conclusion: For RQ1, most of the studies reported that music is positively correlated with learners' L2 learning/acquisition/development/gains although some of them delivered the conclusion without solid statistical evidence. For RQ2, it can be concluded that the use of music in L2 learning yields benefits in at least 6 facets: (1) Promoting L2 learning via providing extra cognitive value; (2) Enhancing learners' L2 knowledge; (3) Improving learners' language skills; (4) Delivering and strengthening L2 culture; (5) Facilitating L2 teaching via using music as a component of a compound L2 pedagogical method; (6) Altering the plasticity of brain functions and networks responsible for L2 processing. Finally, controversies and implications were also discussed to provide guidance for the effective application of music in L2 learning.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1499440
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: How Music Facilitates Second Language (L2) Learning: A Systematic Review from 2002 to 2022
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bo+Sun%22">Bo Sun</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9011-8755">0000-0001-9011-8755</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Juan+Yang%22">Juan Yang</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4868-3168">0000-0002-4868-3168</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zhijie+Liang%22">Zhijie Liang</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Innovation+in+Language+Learning+and+Teaching%22"><i>Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching</i></searchLink>. 2025 19(2):155-173.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 19
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Information Analyses
– Name: Subject
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Learning%22">Second Language Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Music%22">Music</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Correlation%22">Correlation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interdisciplinary+Approach%22">Interdisciplinary Approach</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Skills%22">Language Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Auditory+Discrimination%22">Auditory Discrimination</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reading%22">Reading</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+Processes%22">Cognitive Processes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Awareness%22">Cultural Awareness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Music+Activities%22">Music Activities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Brain%22">Brain</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Singing%22">Singing</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
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  Data: 10.1080/17501229.2024.2350490
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1750-1229<br />1750-1237
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Applying music to learners' language learning/acquisition has a long research history. However, given that second language (L2) learning/acquisition is a complex process, the studies regarding applying music to L2 learning/acquisition are comparatively fragmented. Objectives: This review work analysed 87 articles that applied music to L2 learning/acquisition, or studied the relationships between music and L2 learning/acquisition. The focus of the research was to determine the correlation between music and L2 learning/acquisition and explore effective ways of applying music to facilitating the process of L2 learning/acquisition. Methods: Literature review. Results and conclusion: For RQ1, most of the studies reported that music is positively correlated with learners' L2 learning/acquisition/development/gains although some of them delivered the conclusion without solid statistical evidence. For RQ2, it can be concluded that the use of music in L2 learning yields benefits in at least 6 facets: (1) Promoting L2 learning via providing extra cognitive value; (2) Enhancing learners' L2 knowledge; (3) Improving learners' language skills; (4) Delivering and strengthening L2 culture; (5) Facilitating L2 teaching via using music as a component of a compound L2 pedagogical method; (6) Altering the plasticity of brain functions and networks responsible for L2 processing. Finally, controversies and implications were also discussed to provide guidance for the effective application of music in L2 learning.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1499440
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        Value: 10.1080/17501229.2024.2350490
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 19
        StartPage: 155
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Music
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Correlation
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      – SubjectFull: Interdisciplinary Approach
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      – SubjectFull: Language Skills
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      – SubjectFull: Auditory Discrimination
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      – SubjectFull: Reading
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cognitive Processes
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural Awareness
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      – SubjectFull: Music Activities
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      – SubjectFull: Brain
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      – SubjectFull: Singing
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