THE ROLE OF ENGLISH SONGS IN SHAPING STUDENT MOTIVATION AND MOOD: A THEMATIC STUDY OF ENGLISH EDUCATION STUDENTS IN THE 2021–2022 ACADEMIC YEAR AT AL-QOLAM UNIVERSITY
Main Article Content
Abstract
In today's digital age, music, especially English songs, has become an integral part of students' lives. This study was conducted to address the lack of research that highlights the role of songs not only as a linguistic tool but also as a motivator and mood regulator in English language learning. Most previous studies have emphasized cognitive aspects; this research seeks to fill the gap by focusing on the affective dimension. The purpose of this study is to explore how English songs influence the motivation and mood of students in the English Education Program, class of 2021–2022 at Al-Qolam University, and to examine the conscious and unconscious use of songs as learning strategies. The study employed a qualitative method with thematic analysis by Braun & Clarke. Data collection was conducted through open-ended questionnaires and interviews. The findings indicate that English songs significantly enhance students’ motivation, improve mood, enrich vocabulary and pronunciation, and support autonomous and flexible learning. These findings suggest that songs can serve as an effective, enjoyable, and emotionally engaging learning tool for today's learners.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Al-Smadi, M. H. (2020). The Effect of Using Songs on Young English Learners’ Motivation in Jordan. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 15(24), 52–63. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i24.19311
Almauizzah, A., & Hindriana, A. D. (2025). English Songs As Learning Media To Teach Efl Students : A Systematic Literature Review. 6(1), 42–49.
Amien, J. A. K., Prasetyo, N. A., & Febriyanti, R. H. (2022). Investigating Listening to English Pop Song in Augmenting Vocabulary Mastery: A Case Study of Indonesian Undergraduate Students’ Views. JEdu: Journal of English Education, 2(3), 247–254. https://doi.org/10.30998/jedu.v2i3.8099
Astuti, A. Y., Syafitri, W., Dewi, M. P., & Safitri, L. (2023). The Effect of Using English Songs on Students’ Vocabulary Mastery. ELP (Journal of English Language Pedagogy), 8(2), 225–234. https://doi.org/10.36665/elp.v8i2.775
Cindy Selvia Somantri Putri, Wahyu Satya Gumelar, & Andriana Gaffar. (2025). Investigation of English Songs To Reduce Speaking Anxiety in the EFL Classroom. Journal of Teacher Training and Educational Research, 2(3), 132–139. https://doi.org/10.71280/jotter.v2i3.455
De Roxas, J. A. V., Casipit, D. O., Reyes, M. M., Dela Cruz, L. M. M. V., & Ravago, J. C. (2024). Popular English Songs as Motivational Resources and Instructional Aids for Grammar Education. Qubahan Academic Journal, 4(2), 324–341. https://doi.org/10.48161/qaj.v4n2a508
Elviany, M., Janariani, H., & Wulandari, F. (2024). THE EFFECT OF USING ENGLISH SONGS ON MOTIVATION TO LEARN ENGLISH IN GRADE 8 STUDENTS AT SUSTER JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. Jurnal Penelitian, 4(2), 1–12.
Fatonah, E. (2024). Students’ Perception of the Use of Song Enhances Their Motivation in Learning English. 96–107. https://etd.umm.ac.id/id/eprint/3312/
Hanif, M. S. (2024). The Effectiveness of English Songs for Teaching English to Young Learners. 07(02), 29–36.
Mikhael Misa. (2024). Language Learning: Enhancing Students’ Pronunciation through English Songs. Sintaksis : Publikasi Para Ahli Bahasa Dan Sastra Inggris, 2(6), 151–159. https://doi.org/10.61132/sintaksis.v2i6.1289
Putri, B. G., Degeng, P. D. D., & Isnaini, M. H. (2022). EFL Students’ Perception Towards the Use of English Songs As Listening Learning Media. KLAUSA (Kajian Linguistik, Pembelajaran Bahasa, Dan Sastra), 6(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.33479/klausa.v6i2.625
Reginasari, A., Afiatin, T., Subandi, Patria, B., & Muchlisah. (2021). Adaptation for harmony: A thematic analysis study of internet parental monitoring strategy in the Indonesian context. Qualitative Report, 26(10), 3234–3261. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2021.4979
Sadiqzade, Z. (2025). Melodies in the Classroom : Using Songs to Enhance English Language Learning. 2(3), 126–133.
Urbaite, G. (2025). Learning Languages Through Music and Songs: Cognitive, Pedagogical, and Affective Dimensions. Porta Universorum, 1(4), 45–53. https://doi.org/10.69760/portuni.0104004
Vigl, J., Ojell-Järventausta, M., Sipola, H., & Saarikallio, S. (2023). Melody for the Mind: Enhancing Mood, Motivation, Concentration, and Learning through Music Listening in the Classroom. Music and Science, 6(November). https://doi.org/10.1177/20592043231214085
Yusuf, A. (2024). FROM LYRICS TO LEARNING : THE EFFECT OF SONGS ON STUDENTS ’. 5(2), 23–33.
Main Article Content
Abstract
In today's digital age, music, especially English songs, has become an integral part of students' lives. This study was conducted to address the lack of research that highlights the role of songs not only as a linguistic tool but also as a motivator and mood regulator in English language learning. Most previous studies have emphasized cognitive aspects; this research seeks to fill the gap by focusing on the affective dimension. The purpose of this study is to explore how English songs influence the motivation and mood of students in the English Education Program, class of 2021–2022 at Al-Qolam University, and to examine the conscious and unconscious use of songs as learning strategies. The study employed a qualitative method with thematic analysis by Braun & Clarke. Data collection was conducted through open-ended questionnaires and interviews. The findings indicate that English songs significantly enhance students’ motivation, improve mood, enrich vocabulary and pronunciation, and support autonomous and flexible learning. These findings suggest that songs can serve as an effective, enjoyable, and emotionally engaging learning tool for today's learners.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Al-Smadi, M. H. (2020). The Effect of Using Songs on Young English Learners’ Motivation in Jordan. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 15(24), 52–63. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i24.19311
Almauizzah, A., & Hindriana, A. D. (2025). English Songs As Learning Media To Teach Efl Students : A Systematic Literature Review. 6(1), 42–49.
Amien, J. A. K., Prasetyo, N. A., & Febriyanti, R. H. (2022). Investigating Listening to English Pop Song in Augmenting Vocabulary Mastery: A Case Study of Indonesian Undergraduate Students’ Views. JEdu: Journal of English Education, 2(3), 247–254. https://doi.org/10.30998/jedu.v2i3.8099
Astuti, A. Y., Syafitri, W., Dewi, M. P., & Safitri, L. (2023). The Effect of Using English Songs on Students’ Vocabulary Mastery. ELP (Journal of English Language Pedagogy), 8(2), 225–234. https://doi.org/10.36665/elp.v8i2.775
Cindy Selvia Somantri Putri, Wahyu Satya Gumelar, & Andriana Gaffar. (2025). Investigation of English Songs To Reduce Speaking Anxiety in the EFL Classroom. Journal of Teacher Training and Educational Research, 2(3), 132–139. https://doi.org/10.71280/jotter.v2i3.455
De Roxas, J. A. V., Casipit, D. O., Reyes, M. M., Dela Cruz, L. M. M. V., & Ravago, J. C. (2024). Popular English Songs as Motivational Resources and Instructional Aids for Grammar Education. Qubahan Academic Journal, 4(2), 324–341. https://doi.org/10.48161/qaj.v4n2a508
Elviany, M., Janariani, H., & Wulandari, F. (2024). THE EFFECT OF USING ENGLISH SONGS ON MOTIVATION TO LEARN ENGLISH IN GRADE 8 STUDENTS AT SUSTER JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. Jurnal Penelitian, 4(2), 1–12.
Fatonah, E. (2024). Students’ Perception of the Use of Song Enhances Their Motivation in Learning English. 96–107. https://etd.umm.ac.id/id/eprint/3312/
Hanif, M. S. (2024). The Effectiveness of English Songs for Teaching English to Young Learners. 07(02), 29–36.
Mikhael Misa. (2024). Language Learning: Enhancing Students’ Pronunciation through English Songs. Sintaksis : Publikasi Para Ahli Bahasa Dan Sastra Inggris, 2(6), 151–159. https://doi.org/10.61132/sintaksis.v2i6.1289
Putri, B. G., Degeng, P. D. D., & Isnaini, M. H. (2022). EFL Students’ Perception Towards the Use of English Songs As Listening Learning Media. KLAUSA (Kajian Linguistik, Pembelajaran Bahasa, Dan Sastra), 6(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.33479/klausa.v6i2.625
Reginasari, A., Afiatin, T., Subandi, Patria, B., & Muchlisah. (2021). Adaptation for harmony: A thematic analysis study of internet parental monitoring strategy in the Indonesian context. Qualitative Report, 26(10), 3234–3261. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2021.4979
Sadiqzade, Z. (2025). Melodies in the Classroom : Using Songs to Enhance English Language Learning. 2(3), 126–133.
Urbaite, G. (2025). Learning Languages Through Music and Songs: Cognitive, Pedagogical, and Affective Dimensions. Porta Universorum, 1(4), 45–53. https://doi.org/10.69760/portuni.0104004
Vigl, J., Ojell-Järventausta, M., Sipola, H., & Saarikallio, S. (2023). Melody for the Mind: Enhancing Mood, Motivation, Concentration, and Learning through Music Listening in the Classroom. Music and Science, 6(November). https://doi.org/10.1177/20592043231214085
Yusuf, A. (2024). FROM LYRICS TO LEARNING : THE EFFECT OF SONGS ON STUDENTS ’. 5(2), 23–33.