Musical Training in the Advancement of Linguistic
and Cultural Knowledge in a Cohort of Taiwanese
University Early Childhood Education Majors
中文摘要
雖然音樂對課堂學習的正面效果，已有詳細報導。然而，對於利用音樂教育作為學習工具，以利第二語言獲得與文化認知的相關研究，卻相當缺乏。本研究的目的，在於設計一套以音樂為主的評量課程，使用中英文歌曲與跨文化的音樂活動，分析一群大學幼保系學生在語言、音樂、和文化能力上的進展。研究對象為150名選修幼兒音樂教育課程的大學生，經由「英文和音樂背景問卷」的前測與後測、教師觀察表、半結構性訪談、學生的回饋、和研究者/教師現場記錄進行評量。
雖然有研究顯示，在成人的「英文作為第二外語」（ESL）課堂中使用音樂，可增進其聽力、理解力、說話、閱讀、和寫作能力（Eken,
1996），然而，尚未有足夠關於特定族群的研究，例如：大學幼保系學生的語言、文化能力發展之評鑑數據資料。本研究結果顯示：所有學生經過一個系統化的音樂課程後，其語言、音樂與文化能力，均得到相當程度的進步。此蘊含著：運用音樂設計課程，對於增進大學幼保系學生的語言和文化意識，有極大發展潛力。
Abstract
While the positive effects of music on classroom learning are well-documented, empirical support for music education as a vehicle for second-language acquisition and facilitating cultural awareness is lacking. To analyze advances in language, music and cultural competence in a cohort of early childhood education majors, a study was conducted evaluating a music-based curriculum using both Chinese and English songs and structured, cross-cultural musical activities. The curriculum was taught to 150 Taiwanese university students enrolled in an early childhood music education course, and assessed via an “English Language and Music Background Questionnaire,” at pre-test and post-test, teacher observations, semi-structured student interviews, student feedback, and researcher-teacher field notes.
While research demonstrates that music used in the adult English as a second language (ESL) classroom improves listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing skills (Eken, 1996), data on the development of linguistic and cultural competence in a specific population, i.e. university early childhood education majors, had not been assessed. Research results demonstrated that students undergoing a systematic music program to learn language and culture significantly advanced in linguistic, musical and cultural competence. Implications for the application of music in curricula designed to improve language and cultural awareness in early childhood education majors worldwide is significant.
