How to learn English as an Additional Language by watching movies

Learning English as an additional language is a fun and challenging experience.

Alongside formal education and training, more leisurely ways can be incorporated into your learning that will help you master English pronunciation, listening, and comprehension.

And one of those ways include watching English movies!

Yes… films! You may have thought that learning English can only be done in the classroom, but you can also have both audio and visual elements to help you better learn and practice the language outside of formal learning.

Streaming movies is becoming more popular, which gives you an advantage of learning English, as both your eyes and ears work together to witness English words, phrases, and sentences.

You may not expect it, but movies can serve as a platform on how to gain confidence in speaking English, and are a fantastic accompaniment to formal education and training.

After all, watching movies is a relaxing pastime… and now, it can double as a learning tool!

Movies will help you become more familiar with English accents, words, and expressions needed to become a better speaker.

How can film help you teach or learn English?

It pays to be creative when teaching or learning English.

There’s no right or wrong when choosing what learning material best fits your learning style – and movies can indeed be a part of that!

Here’s how watching English movies can help you improve your language skills and learning.

Improve your pronunciation

Listening to movie dialogue can give you a better grasp of the pronunciation of English words. Doing so helps you pronounce words correctly so it sounds more natural when you speak.

In turn, you can better understand how a word, phrase or an expression is used according to the way it was said.

Learn all four communicative skills

Watching films is a flexible and varied style of learning a language.

Learn all four communicative skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing, by watching movies.

You can use films to plan various activities depending on the learning goal that you want to achieve. Thus, you may integrate it with:

Class discussions
Role plays
Film reviews
Film summaries

Movies give such a wealth of resources for both students and teachers and at the same time are very useful in improving people’s vocabularies.

Get a real-life language input

The best way to develop your English speaking skills is by applying it in a real-life setting.

Films are a good platform to learn both American and British English grammar and accents.

Movies help learners understand the context of real-life conversations through an English-speaking environment.

Watching movies can help you familiarise yourself with real-life language input that you can easily adapt, depending on how often you listen and watch the film.

Learn through visual context

One good thing about using film as an essential language tool is that you can understand the language better via the actions and expressions incorporated into the dialogue.

You’re not only using your listening skills, but you also get visual cues that support the message conveyed.

Films are a visual learning tool, making you remember and understand how expressions, phrases and words are used in action.

Can I learn English by watching movies?

If you have the time and opportunity to watch movies, videos, and other visual elements to improve your use of English, then you should!

You can watch English videos related to your potential work or industry so that you can better apply everything you’ve watched and listened to in a real-life setting.

There are a variety of free movies and resources online available for you to discover, as well as plenty of paid streaming services.

So, how do you learn English by watching?

Watch movies that interest you

Studying English while watching movies may sound like an easy task but what makes it even more fun and interesting is choosing movies that interest you.

Whether it’s a romantic-comedy, action, or thriller, choose movies that spark interest in your choice of genre.

Doing so will inspire you to continue to watch and it will help you pay attention to every line that you hear and read.

Choose movies that suit your comprehension levels

It might be beneficial to start with simple, easy-to-watch films (for example, comedies or family films) before moving up to more complicated, layered, and detailed films.

Doing so will ensure that your movie-watching experience aligns with where you’re at with your learning.

Documentaries offer a slightly different experience – they are often more formal and educational. So if you’re looking for something a little more advanced, find a documentary on a topic that interests you, and settle in to enjoy!

Use subtitles effectively

One best way to familiarise yourself with English is to turn on the subtitles!

Doing so will help you recognise words, strengthen spelling skills, and help you retain phrases and expressions.

Want to be a better English speaker?

Explore Academia’s English courses in Melbourne

Academia Institute is a multi-award winning college in Melbourne that provides learning opportunities for students like you to pursue the English course you want.

Learning is now possible even while you are at home through our Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring you can benefit from a convenient, effective, and high-quality education anytime and anywhere.

Get more information about our government-funded courses (including eligibility criteria) through our self-assessment check.

We help you get to where you want to be in your career with our range of different EEnglish courses in Melbourne that will enhance your fluency and comprehension.

General English (GE)

Learn and apply English in your day to day conversations when you enrol in our General English (GE) course.

This course can help you improve basic speaking, writing, and listening skills.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Looking forward to continuing your studies in higher academic studies? Then, enrol in our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) to help you on your way!

This English course assists with more formal language and focuses on academic English. You will learn how to create reports, write essays, and make presentations.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Develop your English speaking skills for your daily transactions and interactions or for your profession when you enrol in English as an Additional Language (EAL).

Learn more about Academia’s English courses in Melbourne

Learn more about English and enrol in one of our English courses in Melbourne to help you achieve your educational and career goals. Victorian Skills First eligible students can study English as an Additional Language for free.

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