Learning languages as an adult is hard. You’re juggling work, social life, and personal commitments simultaneously, so finding time and energy to practice speaking, listening, or writing can be a challenge.
But what if we told you that one of the best ways to learn a language can be done in the comfort of your home? Watching TV shows and movies is a fun and effective way to boost your English skills without spending too much money or effort. Let’s discuss why it works, and how to make the most of it in your language-learning journey!
Get an Immersive Experience
Immersion is one of the best ways to learn a language, and watching TV offers that in spades. When you watch TV shows and movies, you’re exposed to practical, everyday language—the kind of phrases, idioms, and expressions native speakers use in real conversations.
This facilitates better, longer-lasting language retention compared to studying isolated vocabulary or grammar practice. Plus, without the pressure of having to respond immediately, you can sit back and absorb the flow of dialogue, pronunciation, and intonation.
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Learn Grammar and Vocabulary in Context
If you’re wondering how to learn English grammar and vocabulary more effectively, you should study them in context. Instead of memorizing rules and isolated words, it’s more effective to see how native English speakers use them in real conversations.
TV shows and movies provide endless examples of how to naturally structure sentences, use tenses, and apply grammatical rules in everyday situations. You can pick up new words and phrases, often without even realizing it, simply by observing how characters interact.
This is especially helpful for learning slang and idioms used in specific settings. For example, you can watch English movies with a business theme to learn Business English, or medical dramas to learn medical jargon.
Make Learning Fun
People learn more when they’re having fun, and that applies to learning language skills. When studying your target language feels boring, chances are you’ll lose interest or stop altogether. That’s why watching TV is one of the best ways to learn a language—it makes the language-learning process enjoyable and entertaining.
Instead of feeling like you’re studying, watching TV shows and movies makes language acquisition seem like a leisure activity. You get to immerse yourself in a new language while following exciting plots or funny scenes.
The best part is that you have the freedom to choose content that interests you, be it comedy, drama, romance, or documentaries. This way, you’re always engaged with learning material that holds your attention. If you’re emotionally invested in the show, you’ll be even more motivated to stick to your language-learning journey.
Enhance Listening and Pronunciation Skills
One of the reasons why language learners struggle to speak English is the challenge of understanding and replicating how native speakers talk. When you focus on how to learn English at home with textbooks or language-learning apps, you may miss the natural rhythms, tones, intonations, and conversational dynamics that make up natural-sounding speech.
Watching TV shows and movies can help bridge this gap by providing a realistic model of how native speakers communicate. By listening to characters in specific scenarios, you can understand how stress and pitch change depending on emotions, formality, or even humor. You can also practice speaking along with the characters to mimic their tone, pace, and pronunciation.
→Learn more: How to Improve Your English Pronunciation
Earn Cultural Insights
Language can’t be separated from culture. When deciding how to learn English, one major consideration is whether your chosen method also helps you understand the culture behind the language.
TV shows and movies help you pick up on the cultural subtleties that influence communication in different countries and settings. For example, business-centered TV shows like Suits or Succession give a glimpse of the corporate culture in North America. Watching characters navigate tough negotiations or office politics can help you understand how to adapt your communication style if faced with similar situations.
Build Reading Skills Through Subtitles
Want to improve your reading skills without the stress of traditional textbooks? The answer might be right in front of you—literally!
Using subtitles while watching TV shows and movies helps you learn how words are spelled and pronounced. This gives you immediate translation or transcription of what you're hearing, which can help you make sense of sentence structure, vocabulary, and common phrases more easily. Faster-paced dialogue in TV shows and movies can also challenge your ability to read quickly.
Fun Fact: Did you know Kim Namjoon, of the globally recognized Korean boy band BTS, learned English from watching TV shows? He started by watching Friends with Korean subtitles before moving on to English subtitles. Then he quit using subtitles altogether, and now he’s so fluent he even writes English songs!
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How to Learn English With TV Shows and Movies
Ready to learn English at home? Here’s how to make the most of TV shows and movies when learning English:
Pick the right shows. Start with shows that match your current English skills. If you’re a beginner, children’s shows or simple sitcoms can be a fun peek into the culture without being too complicated.
Combine with language apps and online courses. Watching TV is one of the best ways to learn a language, but it’s still not enough on its own. It works best in conjunction with other methods. Language apps can help you practice grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, while online platforms provide interactive exercises and real-time feedback.
Use subtitles. Follow along with the text while watching to familiarize yourself with new words and phrases.
Repeat and mimic. Repetition and consistency are two of the most effective ways to learn a foreign language. Pause your show periodically to repeat and mimic how the actors talk.
Take Language Learning Home With Talaera
Watching TV is one of the best ways to learn a language, but business professionals require more than passive learning. Talaera provides targeted, expert-led training that helps transform language skills from basic to boardroom-ready—all in the comfort of your home.
Our flexible learning options include:
Online English courses
One-on-one training
Weekly group conversation practice
We offer tailored, industry-specific content that you can apply directly to your work, so you can speak the language of your profession with confidence. Sign up to start learning for free today!
