Dance your way to fluent language learning and enhanced wellbeing

Charlotte Guest
A woman with headphones dancing in her living room
Reading time: 5 minutes

Language learning can often feel daunting, with its endless vocabulary lists, grammatical structures and pronunciation rules. However, incorporating dance and movement into your study routine can transform this challenge into an engaging, enjoyable experience while significantly benefiting your overall wellbeing. This unusual approach is not only effective for language learners of all ages but also enriches the learning process with fun and physical activity.

Engaging in movement and dance can substantially impact mental health, as evidenced by various studies and academic research. For instance, a notable study published in the American Journal of Dance Therapy highlighted that dance, particularly in structured environments, can reduce anxiety and improve mood among participants. This connection between dance and mental health improvement can be attributed to the release of endorphins, often referred to as happiness hormones, which occur during physical activity.

How can dance help your language learning?
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The connection between movement and language learning

The link between physical movement and language learning is deeply rooted in cognitive science. Research suggests that our cognitive processes are intertwined with our bodily systems, meaning that physical activities, such as dance, can enhance memory, comprehension and expression. This concept, known as '', highlights how movement can serve as a powerful tool in internalizing new language concepts and vocabulary.

Here's how dance facilitates language learning:

  • Memorization enhancement: Associating vocabulary or phrases with specific movements can improve recall abilities. For example, performing a specific dance move when practicing a new word can create a mnemonic device, making the term easier to remember.
  • Increased engagement and concentration: Movement breaks up the monotony of traditional study methods, keeping the mind engaged and focused. This is particularly beneficial during longer study sessions, where concentration may start to wane.
  • Stress reduction: Dance is a well-known stress reliever. Lowering stress levels not only improves mental health but also creates a more conducive environment for language acquisition, as anxiety can be a significant barrier to effective learning.
  • Improved pronunciation through rhythm practice: Many languages have a unique rhythm and cadence. Engaging in dance can tune your ear to these rhythmic patterns, aiding in the understanding and reproduction of authentic pronunciation.

Ways to incorporate dance and language

Start simple

You don't need complex choreography to get started. Begin with simple movements that you can associate with the new language. This could be as straightforward as moving your hands up for high-tone languages like Mandarin or swaying to the rhythm of a Spanish guitar as you practice phrases.

Create a themed playlist

Music is a powerful companion to dance. Create a playlist of songs in the language you’re learning and try to move intuitively to the rhythm. This will not only help with learning new words and phrases but will also immerse you in the culture of the language.

Join a class

If possible, join a dance class that focuses on the culture of the language you're learning. Salsa, Bollywood, or even traditional Japanese dance can provide insights into the culture, which is a crucial part of mastering a language.

Practical activity examples

Merging language learning with dance isn't just effective; it's also incredibly fun. Here are some activity ideas to get you started on this harmonious path of acquiring a new language and enhancing your well-being through dance.

Spanish & Flamenco

  • Activity: After learning basic Spanish greetings and expressions, put on a Flamenco music playlist. Attempt to express these greetings and expressions rhythmically with Flamenco hand claps (palmas) or footwork. This can help solidify the language's rhythm and intonation in your memory.

French & Ballet

  • Activity: Ballet terminology is predominantly in French, which presents a unique opportunity to learn the language. Pick a few basic ballet positions or movements, such as "plié" (to bend) or "pirouette" (to spin), and practice saying them out loud while performing the steps. This can deepen your understanding of French pronunciation and terms.

Japanese & Bon Odori

  • Activity: Bon Odori is a traditional Japanese dance performed during the Obon Festival. Begin by learning simple phrases in Japanese related to greetings, farewells and thanks. Then, engage in learning the Bon Odori dance through online tutorials. Associate each dance movement with the phrases you've learned, enhancing both your linguistic and cultural comprehension.

Hindi & Bollywood

  • Activity: Bollywood dances are vibrant and full of expression, making them perfect for language learning. Start by learning key Hindi phrases and vocabulary related to emotions and actions. Watch a Bollywood dance video, focusing on songs with clear, easy lyrics. Try to dance along while singing the lyrics, connecting the words’ meanings with your movements.

Italian & Tarantella

  • Activity: The Tarantella is a fast-paced Italian folk dance. For this activity, choose an energetic Tarantella song and learn simple conversational Italian phrases or food vocabulary. As you practice the dance, say the phrases out loud with each step. Not only will this improve your memory recall, but it will also give you a feel for the Italian linguistic rhythm and culture.

Each of these activities combines the cognitive benefits of language learning with the physical and emotional joys of dance, creating a holistic approach to new language acquisition and overall wellness.

Extra benefits

Apart from language acquisition, integrating dance into your routine can have profound effects on your physical and mental health.

  • Physical fitness: Regular movement improves cardiovascular health, strength and flexibility.
  • Mental health: Dance reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, creating a happier and healthier mindset.
  • Social connections: Sharing dance experiences with others can lead to meaningful social connections, reducing feelings of isolation and promoting a sense of community.

Integrating dance and movement into language learning is beneficial for acquiring new languages and promotes a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. It's a fun and effective strategy that can break the monotony of traditional learning methods, providing a refreshing path to fluency and beyond. Whether practiced alone or in a group, through music, rhythm and culture, dance can enhance your language learning experience significantly.

Read more of our language learning posts to get inspired

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    How to encourage your teenage students to become independent learners

    By Nicola Pope

    Learning is a lifelong activity regardless of age, position, or ambition. Many teachers embody this philosophy themselves – and would like nothing more than for their teenage students to develop strategies to become independent learners.

    But teachers often feel frustrated when their students rely on them too much or show a lack of motivation and focus in the classroom.

    Let’s look at how to start a project that holds your students’ attention. We’ll also go into how you can help your students practice and develop a range of English language skills at the same time.

    The benefits of starting a project that interests your students

    Group projects are motivating because they give students a common objective to work towards. The need to work as part of a team teaches teens collaboration skills, such as accountability. When learners decide on roles within their groups it soon becomes apparent just how important it is for them to be responsible and do their part.

    Project work also often encourages students to push themselves beyond their comfort zones as they try and test new skills. This is often true when learners are required to present on a topic or learn how to do something practical (like using PowerPoint or Google Slides for presentation design).
    In addition, projects can test a variety of English language and 21st century skills such as:

    • critical thinking skills (for planning and development of ideas)
    • topic/subject-specific vocabulary
    • reading and listening comprehension (for researching)
    • speaking skills (for group work)
    • creative skills (for project development and production)
    • presenting skills (for the final delivery of the project)

    Furthermore, when projects take place over several classes, students often eventually get into a routine and seek less direction from the teacher. They know what needs to be done and get on with it in their groups. Of course, you will still need to monitor and offer guidance throughout the project.

    The key elements of an independent learning project

    Find a meaningful subject matter

    First, you’ll need to start with a topic that engages your students. To discover this, put students in groups (online in breakout rooms or in the classroom) and have them work together and mind map some local, national or global problems they would like to solve. For example:

    • The local theater has closed down and they want to set up a new drama club.
    • There is a lot of pollution in the capital city and they want to help reduce it.
    • The rainforest is being deforested and they want to create awareness.

    After they have a good-sized list, instruct each group to pick something they would like to learn more about. Alternatively, if your students are unlikely to find interesting problems to solve themselves, provide them with several short-level-appropriate reading materials about topics you think will catch their attention. That way they can learn about local or international issues and choose a project focus.

    Balancing guidance and instruction

    A vital goal of this project-based approach is to encourage students to be independent. That does not mean they should have no boundaries or objectives, however.

    You’ll need to set deadlines, tell them what you expect of them, and explain how they should present their projects at the end. And depending on their levels, your students will also need a certain amount of scaffolding. You can do this using a set of questions. For example:

    1. What is the main problem you want to solve?
    2. Who does it affect?
    3. Why is it important to change?
    4. What steps could you take to solve the issue?
    5. Who could help you do this?
    6. How could we do this as a group?
    7. How can we present the issue to make people care about it?

    These questions can form the basis of the project, which can last from one to several weeks, depending on their age, level and time restraints. Adapt the questions to suit your students and the specific needs of their projects.

    Facilitating teamwork

    Encourage students to work together to plan, research and present their ideas. Set days or classes by which certain project elements must be completed. This helps ensure that the students make progress and encourages them to ask you questions if they are stuck.

    Decide whether you want to give set times during your classes to work on the project, or whether you want to dedicate entire classes to their work. Also, think about how much work should be completed in your student's own time. Their workload, level of English, and access to technology will all impact your decision.

    For example:

    • Class one: Define the problem you want to solve. Consider what you need to find out, decide on individual roles and develop an action plan. Show the teacher your progress.
    • Class two: Research your project questions and share what you find with the group. Is there anything else you need to know? Show the teacher your progress.
    • Class three: Come up with a presentation outline and begin to work on it.
    • Homework: Each work on your individual presentation section.
    • Class four: Show the teacher your progress. Practice your presentations.
    • Class five: Practice and then deliver your presentations.

    You may wish to allow students the freedom to choose how they would like to present it. Give instructions on how long you expect the presentation to be. If working remotely, collaboration tools such as Google Docs, and are excellent for facilitating teamwork.

    Here are some ways you might ask them to present:

    • a poster and presentation
    • an online presentation (e.g. using PowerPoint)
    • a website (on paper or online)
    • a video presentation
    • a theatrical production
    • a podcast episode.

    Keep in mind that the objective is to help them research, present and deliver a project in English. Check in regularly on progress and provide feedback and help whenever needed.

    While it’s important to monitor and guide them with the English language as they work, it’s also crucial to let students make decisions for themselves.