| This study explores the benefits of including song in the foreign language (FL) syllabus. Systematic inclusion of songs into the foreign language syllabus successfully integrates the study of the target language (L2) and the target culture (C2) and provides a framework for the development of language skills within an authentic cultural context. Songs (as authentic oral and written texts) allow foreign language learners at all levels of proficiency the opportunity to develop language skills in all modalities and learn strategies to improve listening and reading comprehension. Song has the additional benefit of making language study more enjoyable and less threatening to some learners, thus lowering the affective filter and perhaps increasing motivation for foreign language study. It is also highly probable that song (given its rhythmic, repetitive and melodic qualities) acts as a mnemonic device, thus assisting the learner with acquisition of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Inclusion of music in the foreign language syllabus appeals to bimodal instruction and generative theories of music and linguistics. Music is also a probable factor in the Din phenomenon, a possible sign of language acquisition.;This study provides a thorough review of literature in relevant fields: reading and listening in a foreign language, culture learning, parallels between music and language, music in the foreign language classroom, the affective domain, motivation, social distance, and the Din phenomenon. This study also provides a comprehensive syllabus of Russian songs (including folk, Romany, art, contemporary, pop and rock songs) for first-year students (0-150 hours of post-secondary classroom instruction), second-year students (151-400 hours of post-secondary classroom instruction), and third-year students and above (410 or more hours of post-secondary classroom instruction). Cultural notes and language activities (in all modalities) appropriate for each level of study accompany the songs and act as a medium to integrate the target culture into the foreign language syllabus. |
