Higher Education Students’ Perceptions of Using English Songs for Vocabulary Development

Maylani Ayu Wulandari, Daud Jiwandono

Abstract


Vocabulary development is fundamental in English language learning, yet conventional methods often limit learner engagement and retention. While English songs have been explored as an alternative medium, existing studies focus more on vocabulary achievement than on higher education students' lived experiences and challenges. This study explored students' perceptions of using English songs for vocabulary development and identified the challenges they encountered. Data were collected from 42 undergraduate students through an online questionnaire combining Likert-scale items and open-ended questions, analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings revealed strongly positive perceptions across all indicators, including vocabulary acquisition, contextual understanding, pronunciation awareness, retention, and motivation. However, students also reported challenges related to fast-paced lyrics, pronunciation variations, unfamiliar vocabulary, and slang. The results indicate English songs are a valuable resource for vocabulary learning, and incorporating them with structured vocabulary tasks can help learners engage with authentic language more effectively.

Keywords


English Songs, EFL Learners, Higher Education, Vocabulary Development

References


Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Braun, V., Clarke, V., Boulton, E., Davey, L., & McEvoy, C. (2021). The online survey as a qualitative research tool. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 24(6), 641–654. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2020.1805550

Butar Butar, E. L., & Katemba, C. V. (2023). EFL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS TOWARD VOCABULARY LEARNING BY LISTENING TO ENGLISH SONGS ON SPOTIFY KEYWORDS. 6(1), 194–205.

Creswell_J._Research_design_Qualitative_Quantb-ok.xyz-FOURTH-ED. (n.d.).

Febrianti, M., Rahman Putra, A., & Pradana, A. (n.d.). EFL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF USING ENGLISH SONGS FOR STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY LEARNING AT DEHASEN UNIVERSITY BENGKULU (Vol. 7, Number 2).

Hodood, M. N., & Hussein, Q. J. (n.d.). Himalayan Journal of Education and Literature Vocabulary Learning Enhancement: The Impact of using Songs in Teaching Vocabulary to Iraqi Students.

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 Corresponding Email Article’s History Enhancing Vocabulary Mastery Through English Songs: In the Eyes of EFL Students. 9(2), 2022. https://doi.org/10.30605/25409190.439

Learning Vocabulary in Another Language. (n.d.). Retrieved www.cambridge.org/elt/cal

Mannarelli, P., & Serrano, R. (2024). ‘Thank you for the music’: examining how songs can promote vocabulary learning in an EFL class. Language Learning Journal, 52(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2022.2092198

Murphy Odo, D. (2022). Examining the influence of English songs on English L2 lexical learning: a quantitative meta-analytic review. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 35(4), 386–403. https://doi.org/10.1080/07908318.2021.2022684

Rahman, R. W., Syarif, A. R., Prasiska, C., Tohamba, P., Pendidikan, J., Inggris, B., Keguruan, F., & Pendidikan, I. (2024). ENHANCING VOCABULARY THROUGH ENGLISH SONGS : A SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING EXPERIENCED FOR EFL STUDENTS. Klasikal: Journal of Education, Language Teaching and Science, 6.

Ramadhanti, V. A., & Farida, A. N. (2017). The impact of listening to english songs on EFL students’ vocabulary acquisition: A literature review Article Info. Journal of English Language Teaching, 6(1). http://journal.unnes.ac.id/sju/index.php/elt

Sagala, R., & Selviana Napitupulu. (2026). Students’ Perceptions Of Using English Songs To Enhance Vocabulary Mastery: A Qualitative Study. Educate : Journal of Education and Learning, 4(1), 108–115. https://doi.org/10.61994/educate.v4i1.1583

SUNRA, L., FARAHDIBA, S., & MELINDA. (2026). Examining the Effects of Modified Songs on Vocabulary Mastery and Learning Motivation: A Mixed-Methods Study of Indonesian EFL Learners. Research and Innovation in Applied Linguistics, 4(1), 182–200. https://doi.org/10.31963/rial.v4i1.6232

Teng, M. F. (2023). The effectiveness of multimedia input on vocabulary learning and retention. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 17(3), 738–754. https://doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2022.2131791




DOI: https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v11i4.2891

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 Maylani Ayu Wulandari, Daud Jiwandono

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.