If you’re looking to learn English through movies, it may surprise you that with enough dedication and discipline, achieving language fluency in just a year is possible. Learning English through movies is an accessible and enjoyable approach to language acquisition.
People are looking for methods to occupy themselves now that the pandemic has forced them to remain at home. Thus, watching movies has become a popular pastime. On a positive note, watching movies comes with many benefits. Aside from entertainment, it also offers a fun and effective method for language practice, vocabulary building, listening comprehension, and pronunciation practice.
Check out the top reasons to learn English through movies and start your language journey today!
Learning English in a Year: How Movies Can Help
Almost half of the world’s population aspires to learn at least two languages. With so many language learning techniques available, it’s no wonder that more people are turning to movies for English language learning. Thus, countries that don’t speak English do their best to learn and adapt to the language. Using a country’s official language portrays patriotism, yet learning English benefits almost everyone. Notably, mastering the English language does not necessitate the abandonment of one’s native tongue. Instead, their expertise will provide extra protection in combat. Nowadays, everything is available in English; thus, the effort is worthwhile.
Without a doubt, movies and TV programs are one of the best language-learning materials. These materials may spark interest and curiosity, encouraging a strong learning mentality. Also, movies are mostly more entertaining than textbooks. Here are the reasons why seeing an English-language film can enhance your fluency:
1. Learn Accent and Pronunciation
Textbooks are a diverse tool for learning. But you can’t learn everything from reading books. Reading alone is not a good way to learn accents and pronunciation. If you watch British and American movies, you can hear actors who are native English speakers naturally speak the language. Movies will help you learn modern English and use words and sentences like native speakers.
Sometimes it’s hard to figure out how to say an English word. Hearing how real people talk in movies will teach you how to say things right. Movie dialogue is also a good way to see how the sounds of words change when spoken together.
2. Improve Listening Skills
Films are usually not made for people who are learning English. They are instead meant for people who already know how to speak English. However, you can still benefit from audio-visual learning by training your ears to pick up spoken English. Native speakers may speak too quickly, but with enough practice, you can improve your comprehension. It’s a great idea to practice listening without subtitles. Since we are conversing in real life, there are no subtitles. If you want to speak English like a native, be around people who speak English.
3. Enhance Vocabulary
Watching movies is an excellent way to learn English easily. Unlike traditional language lessons or textbooks, movies often contain unique idioms and slang that are more conversational. Not only is learning English through movies enjoyable, but it can also significantly aid in vocabulary expansion.
Films in the English language will expose you to several new words and phrases, especially idioms and slang. I would suggest having a notebook with you and scribbling down any unfamiliar words or phrases you hear that you wish to remember. You may check up on the definition later or with your English instructor.
4. Discover Culture
When you watch movies in English, you may learn about the culture behind the language. Introducing movies or films in the classroom is an excellent technique to help students learn more about language and cultural diversity. There is already an abundance of films that deal with intriguing intercultural topics. Language and culture are intrinsically linked. Why not simultaneously learn both?
Learn English Through Movies: Tips to Enhance Your Language Skills While Watching
Movies are the best way to immerse oneself in English and learn from native speakers. If you can’t go overseas for more than one or two months, this is your opportunity to learn a culture’s language. However, learning a language in this method is more difficult than it sounds. Many of us have arrived at a movie’s conclusion without learning much. Hence, here are four tips to help you get the most out of language learning through movies:
1. Follow Your Interests
It is really enjoyable to learn English through movies since you get to have fun at the same time. Thus you must select films you enjoy and want to watch. If you pick a dull movie, you might not pay as much attention to the language it utilizes. Hence, finding movies that interest you is critical in any learning process. Innovative and fun methods are best for learning a language. There are many films, but you should follow your intuitions and preferences. Choose movies that interest you and binge-worthy ones. You can use IMDB to find interesting movies by genre, title, actor or actress, or release date.
2. Utilize Subtitles Properly
If you live in a country that employs dubbed audios, watch them less and listen to native English speakers. Doing this is where you will discover the magic of English subtitles for language study. Use plenty of quality films produced by Hollywood to improve your listening comprehension. Besides, you may watch British TV or movies in languages other than American English, which is rising in popularity.
Discovering the effectiveness of subtitles might help you improve your English. Today, every video can have English subtitles. If you add them to an English film, pay close attention to the speaker and the subtitles. Moreover, subtitles will enhance your listening comprehension. You will also see the application of grammatical rules. If you truly appreciate a movie, you might want to watch it with and without subtitles. Most importantly, avoid seeing subtitles in your native tongue.
3. Choose Films According to Proficiency
You must comprehend enough to follow the storyline when viewing a film in English. Choose a film that is suitable for your English mastery. If you’re a beginner, you may choose simple cartoons or children’s films such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, or Lion King. Conversely, it may be too simplistic if you comprehend 99 percent of the dialogue between characters.
4. Always Strive to Comprehend 70 Percent of the Film
In attempting to learn English through movies, focus on the message rather than individual words. Do not worry if you miss some words or phrases in a movie or do not understand a character’s accent. You may stop or rewind the video to record new vocabulary, but do so cautiously. When seeing it for the first time, there is no need to be harsh on yourself; enjoy it. Eventually, it would be best if you began to establish short-term objectives for each later viewing. It might be five new words or three new phrases. With each new episode, your English proficiency advances.
5. Repeat your favorite lines while watching or afterward.
If you hear a noteworthy line, you should record it and repeat it. It is more probable that you will remember something if you speak it out loud. Occasionally, you may hear terms that sound trendy. These expressions are often used in the United Kingdom and the United States. Also, textbooks teach these casual expressions less often than in films.
Top 10 Movies That Can Help You Learn English
Choosing an English-level-appropriate movie might be tricky. Hence, choose a movie you’ve watched or a children’s movie with easier vocabulary if your English proficiency level is low. If you have a higher level of English, watch films featuring advanced language. No matter what your proficiency level is, these 10 movies can ease you with English language learning:
1. Ready Player One (2008)
Ready Player One is a 2008 film based on Ernest Cline’s best-selling science fiction novel. The plot takes place in 2045 when the world is on the verge of anarchy and collapse, yet individuals find refuge in James Halliday’s OASIS. Halliday guarantees his riches to whoever finds a digital Easter egg in the OASIS. Wade Watts, known as Parzival, enters the tournament and becomes an unexpected hero in a reality-bending treasure quest.
Since Ready Player One is a futuristic movie, it is helpful in language learning since most of the words used are modern. Some words include virtual reality, console, simulation, interface, dystopia, and many more. The movie introduces foreign words gradually. Hence, it aids audiences’ language learning while broadening their vocabularies. Sentence constructs are straightforward to understand despite a tech-heavy vocabulary. The images in the movie make learning English easier. In addition, watching the movie instills life lessons such as disconnecting online to connect in real life.
2. Finding Nemo (2003)
The animated English movie “Finding Nemo” is about a clownfish called Marlin who lost his son Nemo. It’s a common option for those who want to learn English via movies. He encounters Dory, another fish while traveling. Together, they go on an incredible journey across the vast ocean, searching for Nemo.
Finding Nemo and other animated movies are excellent tools for developing your English. They are often written with children in mind; thus, the terminology is simple. However, adults may enjoy Finding Nemo just as much as children. By including mature comedy, it is also suited for adult audiences. Moreover, Finding Nemo employs a very easy vocabulary and excellent sentence construction. Thus, making it an ideal choice if you attempt to improve your English through movies.
3. About Time (2013)
The movie entitled About Time is a science fiction comedy-drama movie. It is a British movie released in the United Kingdom in 2013. Richard Curtis directed the movie. Meanwhile, movie stars such as Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, and Bill Nighy played in the film. Tim, played by Domnhall Gleeson, learns he can travel through time at the age of 21 and alter events in his life. The decision to improve his life by acquiring a partner proves to be more challenging than he thought.
Since About Time is a British English movie, it can teach different English pronunciations and accents. Although it differs from the standard English language, watching British English movies can improve your listening skills. It may not be easy initially, but watching these movies will improve your English skills. British English may be rather distinct, not just in terms of vocabulary but also in terms of the way people talk, from common idioms to the terminology used to address strangers. Watching this movie gives you a better understanding of new words, phrases, and idiomatic expressions.
4. The Queen (2006)
The most effective method for learning “Queen’s English” is to listen to the Queen. This historical drama starring Helen Mirren depicts the British Royal family’s reaction to Princess Diana’s demise. Not only does it provide a fascinating look at how the royal system operates, but the use of language is also exceedingly plain and simple to understand. Furthermore, you will discover how the upper-class accent varies from other British accents.
5. Titanic (1997)
Titanic is among the most renowned movies in the history of cinema. It tells the story of how Rose DeWitt Bukater, the daughter of a privileged family, fell in love with Jack Dawson, a homeless artist who managed to sneak onto the ship. The movie was a love story in 1912 when a famous ship sank into the ocean. It has many scenes that stand out. Most importantly, you can learn important things about English grammar from some of them.
Additionally, old English is utilized since the movie is an adaptation of a 1912 event. Hence, audiences can learn about the history of terms before adapting modern English. For instance, the film stuck to the term “voyage” to illustrate a journey by sea. In today’s terms, we usually use “trip,” “journey,” or “tour” in casual conversations.
6. Harry Potter (2001-2011)
The films follow wizard Harry Potter on all his fantastical escapades. If you’re trying to learn English, you must watch the Harry Potter movies! Hogwarts is a magic school where all the key characters go. Moreover, J.K. Rowling’s wizarding realm includes its creatures, civilization, and magical language. Even fans use some of these absurd terms! For instance, the insult “muggle” denotes a person incapable of using magic.
In totality, there are eight Harry Potter movies based on J.K Rowling’s novels. However, it is preferable to start with the first one. Watching the film can teach you the differences between British English and American English words. For example, a scene in the movie shows Harry Potter and Hagrid conversing. While Hagrid used the American English term “learned,” Harry utilized the British English word “learnt.”
7. Jurassic World (2015)
Jurassic World is the film to see for a sci-fi adventure with dinosaurs situated in the 21st century. The story revolves around the genetically engineered dinosaur, the Indominus Rex. Eventually, the Indominus Rex flees and starts on a killing rampage. The scenes took place in a new theme park constructed on the old Jurassic Park location.
Learning the English language is viable through watching this movie. The film’s narrative is easily understood because Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard converse in standard English. Also, the vocabulary they used is not too complex. Although the movie employed scientific jargon, the characters used them well for laypeople to understand.
8. The Hunger Games (2012)
This narrative takes place in Panem, a futuristic country in the future. Each year, two people represent their districts in the Hunger Games. Through a random lottery drawing, district representatives are chosen. The story revolves around Katniss, a 16-year-old girl from District 12 who bravely volunteered in her younger sister’s place. It depicts her rigorous preparation and surprise initiation into the 74th annual Hunger Games as a representative for her district.
Hunger Games is a film that relies heavily on visual effects to make up for the lack of dialogue. In contrast to other sci-fi and futuristic films, this one uses simple terminology. The accent is a clean North American one, so it will be easy to understand what the characters are saying. It’s not difficult to comprehend what’s going on, and the characters don’t talk too quickly. Besides being an action-packed film with an intriguing narrative, it is also a great film. This film offers something for everyone, as it incorporates action, romance, humor, and the future in a deft manner.
9. Toy Story (1995)
The protagonist of this animated film is a small child named Andy. Andy enjoys playing with his toys in his room. Moreover, Andy especially adores playing with his Woody action figure. Andy’s absence causes the toys to come to life. Then, Andy’s mother gets him a new toy named Buzz Lightyear for his birthday, which quickly becomes his favorite toy.
Woody becomes upset and envious of the attention Andy gives his new toy, so he attempts to eliminate him. As the two toys begin to brawl, they get lost. Toy Story is an action-packed, humorous tale that recounts Woody’s and Buzz’s journeys.
Like Finding Nemo, Toy Story’s target market are but is not limited to children. Such animated films do not use complex wordings. Hence, paves the way for easier language learning. Furthermore, the movie does not include jargon and difficult words. The conversations within the movie are also memorable since most include humor.
10. Snowpiercer (2013)
Snowpiercer is a 2013 post-apocalyptic science fiction action film. The film is an adaptation of the graphic novel Le Transperceneige by Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand, and Jean-Marc Rochette. The story follows Earth’s second ice age survivors on a luxury train through snow and ice. Then, the caboose’s poorest occupants seek to dominate the engine room to better their lot.
Since many individuals from various countries are aboard the train, there is transversal English usage. As a result, the film has a variety of accents. While Chris Evans uses standard English, other characters utilize British English. Moreover, the uses of words are easy to comprehend. Thus, seeing the movie helps in learning English.
Power Up Your Language Learning Experience
To wrap up our learning from this article “Learn English Through Movies”, we can infer that while watching movies can help us learn English, it is still not enough for those who aim to achieve proficiency in the language. To master the technicalities of English and achieve fluency, it is still necessary to attend English classes and receive guidance from institutions that specialize in English language learning, such as Denwa Sensei. It is a great idea to learn English through movies and it can be a valuable supplement to traditional language instruction, however, we should not solely rely upon it for achieving English proficiency.