Using Karaoke to Improve Your English Skills
About now
We live in the 21st century. Improving your English by sitting with a boring English book for hours on end is not much fun. There are often far better ways to study English. I’m not saying that all books are bad, just that sometimes there are many more enjoyable ways to enjoy improving your English.
About Singing
Singing English karaoke songs is an excellent way to improve your pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, confidence and singing skills.
Of course, you can just go to a karaoke place and sing English songs by reading katakana on the TV, but that is not what I’m talking about;
we are talking about using karaoke to improve your English skills.
Tools Required
Home computer with Internet access
Printer
Karaoke box
Beer and friends
Skills you will Improve
Pronunciation
Vocabulary
Grammar
Confidence in speaking English
How to Do It
Today, were going to use a famous Beatles song "Yesterday" to illustrate this study technique.
Remember, this is studying English, but it is enjoyable (and you can drink beer!) .
The technique I’m going to teach you it’s almost exactly the same as the technique I use to improve my Japanese karaoke singing skills.
Steps
1. Using your computer, go to Lyrics.com
This is one of the best lyrics websites on the net; it’s in English – but don’t worry, it’s easy to use and you can choose from many, many songs
Across the top of the main page are the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-Z
2. Click on the letter "B"
3. Look down the list, click on
"Beatles, The".
You can choose from one of five famous Beatles albums
4. Choose "Beatles 1", and select 11 – "Yesterday" – a very famous Beatles song.
5. Now, just print out the the lyrics on your printer.
You can also copy the lyrics to your favorite translation application, translate them into Japanese using an English to Japanese dictionary or a use a Sony dictionary or similar product.
6. Now, just practice singing the lyrics.
You be amazed at how easy it is to learn English songs. If you have a Beatles CD or MP3 file that is even better as you can sing along to the song at home. One trick I really like is to practice singing the lyrics in secret so I get very good at singing a song. After that, I go to karaoke with my friends and I surprise them by singing the song in perfect Japanese. In addition, karaoke is enjoyable because you can drink beer. Beer is very useful because it stops people being shy (also it tastes nice!).
Some words used in this article that you may want to learn
boring 面白くない
technique 技術
be amazed にびっくりする
Confidence 信任
lyrics 音楽の言葉
translation 予約する
select 選ぶ
in secret こっそりと
shy 恥ずかしい
Yesterday
Writer, lead vocal: Paul McCartney
Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they’re here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly, I’m not half to man I used to be,
There’s a shadow hanging over me.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
Why she had to go I don’t know she wouldn’t say.
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Why she had to go I don’t know she wouldn’t say.
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm.
Some Related Web Sites
Lexis Language Center
Kichijoji
吉祥寺のアットホームな英会話スクール「レクシス」
The Hardest Working
Rock And Roll
Band in Tokyo