Music is the language of the spirit; it opens the secret of life bringing peace abolishing strife. Gebran Khalil Gebran’s words reflect the beauty of music and its powerful existence in our life. Music is the heart of nature that refines our presence. Who can imagine life without a melody played by the instruments of nature, the wind, the brook and the birds? Who can picture our reality without great musicians and singers, without Fairuz singing, “Give me the nay and sing the secret song of eternity”, or Julie Andrews singing, “The hills are alive with the sound of music?”
Music and song positively affect the social-psychological, cognitive and pedagogical factors responsible for language acquisition. Music provides a positive atmosphere by reducing anxiety and stress levels that can hinder language acquisition; and contribute to a strong constructive imagination, memory and intelligence. After all, “Music is the universal language of mankind”! (Longfellow)
Dr. Manal Abdallah
Manal Abdallah is a Lebanese musician and composer and also a lecturer at the Lebanese University. She holds a PhD in English Language and Literature and her research interest has always revolved around the power of both music and literature in people’s life. She studied both the piano and the viola at the Higher National Conservatory of Music and composed songs and pieces for string quartets and small ensembles.