Name:Fidaa Akrout

School/Affiliation:International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS), University of Montreal

Co-Authors:Dawn Louise Merrett; Hsun-Yi Liao; Isabelle Héroux; Isabelle Peretz

Virtual or In-person:In-person

Abstract:

Group singing can be an effective method for addressing the challenges faced by newcomers in Québec, such as learning French while integrating into an unfamiliar society. However, no study has explored choir quantitatively as a multi-functional tool facilitating the acquisition of a second language, social integration and the improvement of newcomers’ well-being.
To address this, we assessed the reliability and sensitivity of qualitative and quantitative measures of French language acquisition, social connectedness, and well-being in 30 adult new immigrants. Twenty participated in a choir, while 10 were on a waiting list. Participants were tested twice, 8 weeks apart, on language proficiency, sense of group belonging, and mood. Semi-structured interviews were conducted post-choir to explore personal experiences, as well as challenges and facilitators of choir participation.
Results showed that choir participation improved sense of belonging, mood, and self-assessed French proficiency compared to the waitlist group. No significant effects on pronunciation or oral and written comprehension were observed; however, the results were useful in determining which language tasks were appropriate for participants at all French levels. Qualitative data supported the benefits of choir participation, especially regarding confidence in French pronunciation and vocabulary.
This study highlights the psycho-social benefits of choir singing for new immigrants and supports the feasibility of a larger randomized controlled trial to further investigate its impact on language acquisition and integration. It opens promising research perspectives, such as combining subjective and objective measures for comprehensive linguistic evaluation, using standardized language tests, and ensuring accessibility of choir benefits for participants with varying language proficiency.