Student perceptions of using “Steal My Girl” song to enhance listening skills

Abstract

The use of music in English language teaching has gained attention for its potential to improve students’ listening skills and learning engagement. This study explores students’ perceptions of using the song “Steal My Girl” as a medium for enhancing listening skills in English language learning. The research employed a qualitative descriptive approach involving students of the English Education Department who had experienced song-based learning activities. Data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings show that students generally perceived the song as engaging and helpful for vocabulary acquisition, while also increasing their motivation to participate in listening activities. However, some students experienced difficulties related to the song’s relatively fast tempo and challenges in understanding certain lyrics. Overall, the study indicates that popular songs can be effective resources for improving listening skills when supported by appropriate instructional strategies and careful material selection in the classroom.