8 Movies for Expanding Your Vocabulary
8 Movies for Expanding Your Vocabulary
Hey!
This is Teacher Ben at E52. I’m sure you’ve heard a familiar story, especially in America – a friend or family member immigrated without knowing a lick of English and magically picked up the language by going to the movies. While it sounds farfetched, it can be a great method of learning. Movies have real and natural English and pronunciation is usually clear and easy to understand. It also doesn’t have to be American English – you can hear native British, New Zealand, Australian, and Canadian accents while getting to know the culture a bit more.
While it might not be the only way or the most effective way to learn English, there is some truth to the fact that movies can be great English listening exercises besides being a great way to inform and entertain. I’ve listed some classics below to get you started, making sure to include the reasons behind each choice. Try these out and see what you think, and for an added challenge, turn off the subtitles!
1. The Muppet Movie
While the voices can sometimes be hard to understand, they are so colorful that you’ll want to pay attention and catch all of the gags. This comedy aimed at children and adults alike follows the musical adventures of the Muppets as they first become the Muppets and make their way to Hollywood and eventual stardom.
2. Fargo
While this crime thriller and black comedy from the acclaimed Coen brothers has fun with accents and exaggerated speech, it also tells a gripping and suspenseful story that will have you at the edge of your seat. There’s a reason this is considered a modern classic! The TV spin-off is also worth watching.
3. The King’s Speech
This movie is a great way to learn English because the focus is on speech and language. It tells the true story of King George VI working with a speech and language therapist to improve his abilities and become an effective orator.
4. Cast Away
This film focuses on a man who crashes on a desert island and must learn to survive in the wilderness on his own. The simple concept is easy to follow, there are a lot of understandable monologues, and having to focus on only one person makes everything pretty straightforward. Plus, it’s very entertaining and suspenseful!
5. Being There
This classic satire stars comedy legend Peter Sellers in one of his final roles as Chance, a simpleminded gardener that accidentally gets involved in politics and finds fame. This is a great film to help you study English because Chance’s speech is very slow and plain and he is good at enunciating. The plot is also simple and straightforward and the film takes it’s time in a very intentional and beautiful way.
6. Toy Story
What’s not to get out of this famous children’s movie? It’s now rightly considered to be a classic – it’s hilarious, heartwarming, and exciting, and the characters are complex and memorable. Plus, the plot is easy to follow, and the language is simple enough for most language learners because it is aimed at a younger audience. Even if it was intended for kids, the film can be enjoyed by anyone. Check out the sequels while you’re at it!
7. Mary and Max
This beautiful claymation film has a lot of humor and heart. It focuses on two pen pals, one American and one Australian, as they forge a friendship over many years. It’s a simple story that’s easy to follow because of its many visual cues and the fact that there are barely any characters.
8. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
This fun little film is a great way to get some practice with different Kiwi (New Zealand) accents. It’s a comedy adventure focusing on the unlikely friendship between a young juvenile delinquent and a surly old man as they are on the run from authorities. The movie showcases Kiwi humor perfectly as well as how beautiful the country is.
Don’t be afraid to write your own favorite English-language movie below!
Cheers,
Ben at E52
This is Teacher Ben at E52. I’m sure you’ve heard a familiar story, especially in America – a friend or family member immigrated without knowing a lick of English and magically picked up the language by going to the movies. While it sounds farfetched, it can be a great method of learning. Movies have real and natural English and pronunciation is usually clear and easy to understand. It also doesn’t have to be American English – you can hear native British, New Zealand, Australian, and Canadian accents while getting to know the culture a bit more.
While it might not be the only way or the most effective way to learn English, there is some truth to the fact that movies can be great English listening exercises besides being a great way to inform and entertain. I’ve listed some classics below to get you started, making sure to include the reasons behind each choice. Try these out and see what you think, and for an added challenge, turn off the subtitles!
1. The Muppet Movie
While the voices can sometimes be hard to understand, they are so colorful that you’ll want to pay attention and catch all of the gags. This comedy aimed at children and adults alike follows the musical adventures of the Muppets as they first become the Muppets and make their way to Hollywood and eventual stardom.
2. Fargo
While this crime thriller and black comedy from the acclaimed Coen brothers has fun with accents and exaggerated speech, it also tells a gripping and suspenseful story that will have you at the edge of your seat. There’s a reason this is considered a modern classic! The TV spin-off is also worth watching.
3. The King’s Speech
This movie is a great way to learn English because the focus is on speech and language. It tells the true story of King George VI working with a speech and language therapist to improve his abilities and become an effective orator.
4. Cast Away
This film focuses on a man who crashes on a desert island and must learn to survive in the wilderness on his own. The simple concept is easy to follow, there are a lot of understandable monologues, and having to focus on only one person makes everything pretty straightforward. Plus, it’s very entertaining and suspenseful!
5. Being There
This classic satire stars comedy legend Peter Sellers in one of his final roles as Chance, a simpleminded gardener that accidentally gets involved in politics and finds fame. This is a great film to help you study English because Chance’s speech is very slow and plain and he is good at enunciating. The plot is also simple and straightforward and the film takes it’s time in a very intentional and beautiful way.
6. Toy Story
What’s not to get out of this famous children’s movie? It’s now rightly considered to be a classic – it’s hilarious, heartwarming, and exciting, and the characters are complex and memorable. Plus, the plot is easy to follow, and the language is simple enough for most language learners because it is aimed at a younger audience. Even if it was intended for kids, the film can be enjoyed by anyone. Check out the sequels while you’re at it!
7. Mary and Max
This beautiful claymation film has a lot of humor and heart. It focuses on two pen pals, one American and one Australian, as they forge a friendship over many years. It’s a simple story that’s easy to follow because of its many visual cues and the fact that there are barely any characters.
8. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
This fun little film is a great way to get some practice with different Kiwi (New Zealand) accents. It’s a comedy adventure focusing on the unlikely friendship between a young juvenile delinquent and a surly old man as they are on the run from authorities. The movie showcases Kiwi humor perfectly as well as how beautiful the country is.
Don’t be afraid to write your own favorite English-language movie below!
Cheers,
Ben at E52