Sing Along in Any Language: Exploring Disney Songs Around the World
Overview
Explore familiar Disney songs—like Let It Go from Frozen—in different languages! Many movies when they’re dubbed into other languages keep the songs in the original language. Most Disney movies, however, dub the songs as well! This activity encourages a fresh perspective on your kids’ favorite songs, preventing repetition fatigue and promoting cultural curiosity. By listening to Disney songs in other languages, you’ll foster creativity, language appreciation, and a deeper connection to storytelling through music. Plus, it’s a great way to keep things fresh and fun during family movie nights!
What You'll Need
A Disney+ subscription or YouTube
A favorite movie or song like Let It Go from Frozen
Optional: Lyrics for sing-along versions (found online)
Instructions
Pick a favorite Disney song to explore in different languages (e.g., Let It Go from Frozen). Search for that song in multiple languages on YouTube or switch around the language settings on streaming services.
Listen to the song in one language, then try it in another language! Go to the audio settings and select languages. Notice how the melody stays the same, but the words and sounds change. Encourage your kids to sing along or simply enjoy the differences.
Questions to Ask
What differences did you notice in the way the song sounds in other languages?
Did the song feel different when sung in a new language? Why do you think that is?
How did listening to the song in another language change how you felt about the story?
Which version was your favorite, and why?
Why do you think these language options were chosen over others?
Why This Activity Matters
Listening to songs in different languages opens up a whole new world of cultural appreciation and curiosity. This activity helps develop language awareness, creativity, and even empathy as kids understand that stories and songs can cross borders. It also supports mindful screen time by transforming passive listening into an active, family-engaging experience.
Tips
Try watching the music videos with subtitles to follow along with the lyrics.
For older kids, explore the cultural background of each language—how might the story change when told in a different culture?
Younger children might enjoy acting out scenes as they listen to the different versions.
If the song you choose includes a rhyme scheme, try translating the lyrics to see what changes were made to make the rhyme fit. Does the change keep the rhyme? Do the translated lyrics change the meaning of the song?
How many languages you can listen to? Can you identify the language just by listening? You could even create a game by guessing the language or matching it to its country
