English Songs in Vocabulary Learning: Higher-Education Students’ Perceived Views

Abstract

This survey study investigated students' perceptions of using English songs towards their
vocabulary learning. It involved 59 sixth-semester English Language Education Study Program
students at a private university in Central Java. Data were collected from a closed questionnaire
distributed to the research participants via a Google Form. The quantitatively analyzed
questionnaire data demonstrated that the average percentage of the three perceptions indicators –
perceived object, sensory organs or receptors, and attention – was 86%, included in the ‘Strongly
Agree’ criterion based on the interval measurement. The results mean that the students perceived
that English songs could help them learn, acquire, and retain new vocabulary. The results showed
that students deemed that English songs could attract their interest in learning vocabulary. Using
English songs helped them remember the forms, meanings, and uses of newly acquired
vocabulary. The students considered listening to English songs a practical and fun learning
method for learning, developing, and retaining vocabulary. Therefore, the results of this study can
be used as a consideration for lecturers to use English songs to help students boost their interest
and motivation to learn vocabulary; consequently, they can use vocabulary suitably.