How to Watch Movies and Practice English

Let’s face it: the majority of films (movies in American English) we watch have English as their original language… So, hey, there’s a fantastic opportunity to use this for your English practice! It’s not that difficult and it can be fun: you will watch movies and practice English at the same time… Try it, you’ll be surprised at the results!

Now,  rented films all give you the possibility to turn the subtitles on. The question is: subtitles on or off?
Subtitles can actually be a great tool, when used appropriately. This is how you can use them:

Subtitles on:

1. Put the film on and see how much you understand: if you can follow the general meaning, go to ‘Subtitles Off’
2. If you understand very little, turn the subtitles on. Tip: as soon as you start understanding a bit more, turn them off; reading distracts you from training your ear!
3. Watch about 10 minutes, then watch again without subtitles. Tip: if 10 minutes is too long, reduce the time until it suits you!
4. Watch the next 10 minutes, with subtitles, then again without.
5. The following 10 minutes, try without subtitles first. If you understand enough, great! If not, go back to the earlier strategy until you are able to understand more and more..

Just remember, the least you rely on reading subtitles, the quicker your brain adapts to understanding spoken English by listening.

Subtitles Off:

1. Choose a film. Tip: choose one that you know quite well: it will make the process quicker!
2. Watch the first scene, couple of scenes (with dialogues, please!) to get the general meaning. Tip: it’s better if the conversation is between two people only…
3. Watch the scene again and follow only one character. Tip: break the dialogue into bits to remember what the character says.
4. Next time you watch the scene, follow the other person in the dialogue.
5. Watch it one last time and see if you can do the dialogue, one person first, then the other.

General Tips:

1. When you watch films you hear lots of typical expressions, idioms and slang; try to choose a ‘neutral’ film like a comedy, for instance; it is better to start with language that is shared by the majority of English-speakers, rather than go for ghetto, prison or  gangster movies that are full of slang and situation-specific language…
2. Look at their faces and at their body language: you can get a good idea of what they are saying!
3. Note down phrases and words that you find intriguing and/or interesting… you will become more natural and fluent the more of them you use!

Ok, do this as many times as you can, and you will notice the difference in your ability to speak and in your ability to understand. Enjoy it!

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