If you are trying to better your English while you are watching TV, there are some “active” learning tips that will help you accelerate your English while you are watching. See how this Pakistani woman learned English while she watched TV.
When I was a kid, I had to learn English at school but just going to school wasn’t enough. I still wasn’t learning English properly and I didn’t know how I was suppose to pronounce words because my teachers were not native English speakers. I started watching TV more so that I could learn to speak properly. See what I did to improve my English fluency exceptionally just by watching TV.
Focus on how characters pronounce words
As a kid, I enjoyed watching TV—especially English cartoons. But there were a lot of words and phrases I didn’t understand.
So, I would predict the gist from the background and the responses of other characters. At times, I would echo lines out loud. I also liked to act out some sights.
My acting expertise didn’t develop… but my English aptitudes definitely did!
If you’re learning English, watching English TV is necessary. In my practice, the visuals on the screen are an enormous advantage in guessing out what the words mean.
However, unless the show is tremendously kid-friendly—like those cartoons I used to watch—you may have trouble.
The good news is that you don’t need to just turn on your TV and optimism you figure things out. As a marginal, try one this website from FluentU, which is precisely created to assist you to learn English through TV series and movies. They come with details of challenging language, headers, exercises, and more to turn your TV watching time into English learning time.
Try not to use subtitles
Subtitles are a unique way to imagine words as you listen to them, which can improve your retain them. But, relying too much on subtitles can withdraw from your strength to follow listening attention. However, there’s no difficulty in using subtitles; just try to phase them out once you feel certain enough to do so.
- It’s suggested for intermediate-level learners to use English subtitles as you can visually see the grammar conjugation as it should be. If you are an intermediate-level, I recommend that you actively use the subtitles to be aware of the grammar usage.
- Learners at a beginner-level of English may feel confused and won’t be able to understand most of the spoken and written words in the film/show. And so, I would recommend that you use the subtitles to write down words you don’t know in a notebook and then research them later.
- But this is the most important part: Subtitles on TV shows/films will not support you if you don’t enjoy what you’re watching!
So, what now?
Try to retell the story in your own words after you finish watching
After you finish watching a show, the best practice to enhance your English is to retell the story in your own words! Focus on the 5 W’s (who, what, where, when, why, how) and tell the story out loud. Do this in front of a friend or do it in front of a mirror, it doesn’t matter! As long as you are actively using your words. This exercise will force you to use vocabulary you’re uncomfortable with and will also force you to think quickly before you speak. An excellent tool to build fluency!
What if you get stuck?
If you are feeling stuck and cannot retell the story, write some notes first! Research the vocabulary you want to use but are not sure how to use and then create your story of the story! Still try not to read the notes as you practice, just use them as quick reminders.
Good luck with your practice!
