Teaching English Through Stranger Things: 4 Song-Based Lessons That Really Work

Music is one of the most powerful tools for language learning—especially when the songs already excite your students. Stranger Things gives us the perfect mix of nostalgia, pop culture, simple lyrics, and emotional storytelling. Here are four carefully selected songs available on Roxxem that you can use to build vocabulary, boost listening comprehension, and reinforce grammar in fun, memorable ways.

1. “Chrissy, Wake Up!” – A Fun Starter for Beginners (Pre-A1)

This playful remix is ideal for absolute beginners.
Because the lyrics are short, repetitive, and filled with everyday expressions, students gain confidence quickly.

What you can teach

Commands: wake up!, give me the word, walk away

Present simple basics: I don’t like…

Daily-life vocabulary: wake up, hear, walk, scared, okay

Question formation: Can you hear me?

Pronunciation practice through repetition

2. “Never Ending Story” – Vocabulary Builders for Beginners (A1–A2)

This classic appears in Stranger Things and works beautifully as a vocabulary-rich lesson.
Its dreamy imagery helps students learn abstract words as well as concrete nature vocabulary.

What you can teach

Nature terms: rainbow, clouds, stars

Imaginative verbs: unfold, reach, turn around, fly

Possessive adjectives: your dream, her face

Relative clauses: rhymes that keep their secrets

Basic reading comprehension

3. “Running Up That Hill” – Discussion & Emotion for Intermediate/Advanced (B1–B2)

Kate Bush’s iconic track exploded again thanks to Stranger Things.
It’s perfect for building deeper comprehension, exploring feelings, and practicing modals and conditionals.

What you can teach

Second Conditional: If I only could, I’d make a deal…

Modal verbs of ability & desire: wanna, could, would

Abstract vocabulary: thunder, deal, swap places, feelings

Theme analysis (relationships, empathy, conflict)

4. “Should I Stay or Should I Go” – Grammar + Fun for Beginners (A1–A2)

This punk classic appears in multiple seasons of Stranger Things and is always a student favorite.
Its structure helps reinforce decision-making language and bilingual elements (English/Spanish).

What you can teach

Question formation: Should I stay or should I go?

Modals of obligation: You gotta let me know

Conditional structures: If I go, there will be trouble

Vocabulary contrast: fine vs. black, trouble, double

Cultural notes (bilingual lyrics)

Stranger Things – Learn English Through Music & Pop Culture

Step into the world of Stranger Things and level up your English with four iconic, classroom-ready songs. Each track helps students practice real conversational language, emotional expression, grammar structures, and vocabulary—all through music they already love. From beginner-friendly repetition to advanced listening and discussion, this playlist turns pop-culture moments into powerful learning tools.

✨ Ready to teach with music that truly engages your students?
Explore the full Stranger Things English playlist here