How to Learn English with TV Series: Best Shows + Learning Tips
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Sometimes, studying English can be difficult and somewhat boring. There are so many grammatical rules, exceptions to the rules, phrasal verbs, idioms, accents…
The traditional methods of language, such as textbooks and lectures, can quickly become monotonous and ineffective. However, with the rise of technology and the increasing popularity of TV series, learning English has become more enjoyable and accessible than ever before.
In this blog post, we will explore how watching TV series can be an effective tool for learning English, and we’ll provide some tips on how to make the most of this method. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, you’ll find some valuable insights on how to learn English with TV shows.
How to learn English by watching TV: expert tips from Bob the Canadian
What’s the best way to learn English using TV? We sought out some expert advice from Bob the Canadian. If you don’t know him, Bob is a high school teacher from Ontario who makes excellent YouTube videos for those learning English. His channel has over 460,000 subscribers! Here’s what Bob had to say:
“One thing I recommend you do is to slow down the speed of any video you are watching. If you’re watching something on Youtube or a streaming website, and you slow it down by 10% you might be surprised at how much easier it is to understand.” We think that’s a great idea! Everyone who learns a second language is, at some point, frustrated by how fast native speakers talk.
Our next question: should we be watching TV with the captions on or off? Watch it with captions on, and it can feel like you are not practicing your listening skills, but watch it with them off and it can be hard to understand what’s going on. Here’s what Bob had to say:
“When you’re learning English, some people feel like you should never watch English TV with the subtitles on, and some people feel like they’re really helpful. My recommendation is this. Watch something once with subtitles or captions on once, and then watch it again with subtitles off.”
For more great insights from Bob, check out our Q&A interview with him here:
You might also be interested in our article on The top 10 YouTube channels for learning English in 2020.
Key things to remember if you want to learn English with TV series
Watch something that interests you
The most important thing is to watch something that you find interesting.
If you start to watch a television show, movie, or video, and you find it boring, don’t waste your time on it. You won’t learn English that way.
Our brain has the ability to remember information better if it is important or interesting to us.
Choose a show that matches your skill level
You can improve your English by watching any television series or talk show, but try to watch those that match your English level.
If you have just started to study English, choose series with simple storylines and that use simple, everyday words.
Don’t start out with shows like The Big Bang Theory or Game of Thrones, simple sitcoms like Friends are the best way to go.
Watching movies and talk shows that you have already seen in your own language (and that are not difficult) is also a very good idea. It can even benefit your reading comprehension skills to watch a show in your native language with English subtitles. Reading subtitles out loud can help you build speaking skills as well.
Also, keep accents in mind. If you live in England, then watching shows where people have British accents might be beneficial. If you live in New York, then you may want to watch a US based show.
Best TV series to learn English
I’ve made a list of the most widely available, popular, and relatively recent talk shows that will help you to improve your English as well as keep you up to date on the latest happenings in popular culture. Many of these shows are available on Netflix.
Try to watch these series and TV shows in English with subtitles:
- Friends
- Modern Family
- Breaking Bad
- Game of Thrones
- Sherlock
- The Walking Dead
- Misfits
- Dexter
- Lost
- Vikings
- White Collar
- House of Cards
- Suits
- Touch
- Under the Dome
American talk shows:
- The Oprah Winfrey Show
- The Jimmy Kimmel Show
- The Ellen Show
Next steps
Learning English with TV series is an entertaining and effective way to improve your language skills. By immersing yourself in authentic English conversations and engaging storylines, you can pick up new vocabulary, improve your listening comprehension, and even learn about cultural nuances.
However, it’s important to approach this method with a strategic mindset and use it as a supplement to other language learning resources.
At Preply, we understand that everyone has their own unique learning style and preferences. That’s why we offer thousands of online English tutors who can help you achieve your language goals, whether that’s improving your conversational skills, preparing for an exam, or mastering grammar rules.
With Preply you can learn from the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. By combining the fun of TV series with the expertise of a professional tutor, you can take your English skills to the next level. So why not start today? Head over to Preply and browse our English tutors to find the perfect fit for your needs.
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