I'm studying Japanese and recently sang a song in Japanese (an "Enka" song called "Snow Country") with my teacher at an open mike evening. I understood the words and what I was singing about, but I'm not so sure that it made my studies any easier. My teacher, who is Korean, absolutely loved the evening with its friendlyness and its atmosphere.
That's another convert to folk music, (pause while I give myself a small pat on the back for spreading the word). I think she may well sing solo next time.