New Babbel study shows rhythm and melody make language learning easier

The study showed that a majority of people (87%) learning a new language typically sing in this language to help them learn. Whether singing along to pop, rock, folk songs or movie soundtracks, melody and sound aid the learning process.
Participants of the survey pointed out: "Singing is a great way to learn ‘in passing’", while others suggested: „Native speakers love it when you can sing along in the local language.”

"People who sing along in a foreign language learn almost effortlessly”, said Miriam Plieninger, Babbel’s head of content. “Language structures are impressed upon them and they understand words out of context, without having consciously studied grammar or vocabulary. The melody and rhythm help strengthen memory.”

The new Babbel language course "Learn German with Music" offers a variety of music in an educational context for native speakers of English, French, Spanish or Italian. There are eight German songs, among others "Wenn ich ein Vöglein wär" (If I were a little bird), "Der Mond ist aufgegangen" (The moon has risen), "Alle Vögel sind schon da" (All the birds are already there), are recorded in new singer-songwriter versions.

The verses are displayed Karaoke-style, line by line, in German with translations so learners can sing along. Following the session, the content of the song is introduced, and key vocabulary and sentence structure are explained. These are later, in various types of musical exercises, reviewed and put into practice.

Link to "Learn German with Music" course

*1774 Babbel users were polled in this survey

About Babbel:
With the online learning system Babbel (http://www.babbel.com), both beginners and continuing learners can study English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Swedish, Dutch, Indonesian, Polish and Turkish. There are tons of interactive courses available on the website www.babbel.com. There are also apps for iPhone, iPad, iPod and Android mobile devices. More than 5 million people from over 200 countries are studying languages with Babbel.
The company behind Babbel, Lesson Nine GmbH, operates out of Berlin, Germany. Founded in August 2007, it now has around 100 fulltime and freelance employees. Since July 2008 Lesson Nine has been funded by Kizoo AG and VC-Fonds Berlin. More info at: http://www.babbel.com

Press Contacts Babbel.com:
London, UK Funda Cizgenakad, funda@fundamentalcomms.com, +44 79 3181 6972
Atlanta, GA Corinna Rogers, corinna@staedelcomms.com, +1 404 941 4234
Berlin, Germany Katrin Theiner, ktheiner@babbel.com, +49. 30. 755 623 36