7 min Turn TV time into learning time! Learn how to use movies and shows to boost your child’s English skills while having fun. Get tips and tricks for making the most of family screen time.
In today’s world, knowing English is more important than ever. English is the language of business, technology, and culture around the globe. For parents of students learning English as a second language (ESL), finding fun and effective ways to help their children practice can make a big difference in their progress.
One enjoyable way to learn English is by watching movies and TV shows. By watching characters talk, interact, and express themselves, students can pick up new words, understand how sentences are formed, and get used to hearing how English is spoken in everyday situations.
Learning through movies and TV shows can also make studying more fun. When children enjoy what they’re doing, they are more likely to stay interested and keep practicing. Watching shows or movies they love helps them improve their listening skills, learn new words, and even work on their pronunciation without it feeling like hard work.
This article will talk about the benefits and strategies for learning through watching movies and TV shows and also include tips for parents and additional resources.
Benefits of Learning English Through Movies & Television
To begin, let’s dive straight into the benefits of watching movies and TV shows to learn ESL. Here’s a simple list of how this method can help your child improve their language skills:
Improves Listening Skills
Hearing how English is spoken in real-life situations can help your child better understand different accents, tones, and speech patterns.
Expands Vocabulary
Movies and TV shows introduce new words and phrases that might not be found in textbooks. Your child can learn everyday language as well as more advanced words.
Enhances Pronunciation
Listening to native speakers helps your child hear how words are pronounced, which can improve their own speaking skills.
Builds Confidence
As your child becomes more familiar with English, they’ll feel more confident using it in real conversations.
Provides Cultural Understanding
Movies and TV shows often reflect the culture of English-speaking countries, helping your child understand different customs, traditions, and ways of life.
Makes Learning Fun
Learning is more fun when it’s easy to stay motivated. Watching favorite shows or movies makes language practice something to look forward to.
Choosing the Right Media
When it comes to using movies and TV shows to help your child learn English, choosing the right content is important. Not all shows or movies are suitable for every age or language level, so it’s essential to pick something that matches your child’s needs.
Age-Appropriate Content
First, make sure the content is age-appropriate. Younger children will benefit from watching shows or movies made for kids, where the language is simpler and the themes are easy to understand. You can choose more complex content for older kids, but it’s still important to ensure the language isn’t too advanced, or the themes aren’t too mature.
Genre Preferences
It’s also a good idea to consider your child’s interests when choosing what to watch. If your child loves cartoons, animated movies, or TV shows can be both engaging and educational. For those who enjoy action or adventure, there are plenty of family-friendly movies that can keep them entertained while they learn.
Considering Language Level
Lastly, know your child’s current language level. If they’re just starting to learn English, choose media with simple, clear dialogue and plenty of visual cues to help them understand the story. Subtitles in your child’s native language or in English can also be useful, helping them connect spoken words with written ones. As they become more confident, you can gradually introduce more challenging content.
How to Make the Most of Watching
To get the most out of watching movies and TV shows for learning English, it’s important to be an active viewer. Here are some simple tips to help your child learn more effectively:
Active Viewing Techniques: Encourage your child to pause and rewind the show when they hear a new word or phrase. This gives them time to think about what it means and how it’s used. Taking notes can also be helpful.
Incorporating Discussions and Activities: After watching a movie or TV show, talk about it with your child. Ask them to describe what happened, share their favorite parts, or explain any new words they learned. This helps them practice speaking and thinking in English.
Using Subtitles Effectively: Subtitles can be a great learning tool. If your child is just starting to learn English, using subtitles in their native language can help them understand the story while still hearing English. As they get more comfortable, switch to English subtitles.
Strategies for Parents
As a parent, you play a big role in helping your child learn English through movies and TV shows. Here are some strategies to create a positive learning environment:
Set Goals: Work together to set small, achievable goals, like learning a certain number of new words each week.
Create a Comfortable Space: Make sure your child has a quiet, comfortable place to watch and learn without distractions.
Set Limits: It’s important to balance screen time with other activities. Set a reasonable limit on how much time your child spends watching movies or TV shows each day.
Include Physical Activities: Encourage outdoor play, sports, or other hobbies to ensure your child stays active and healthy.
Use English in Daily Life: Incorporate English into everyday activities, such as asking your child to help with shopping lists or chatting about their day in English.
Reward Progress: Celebrate milestones, like watching an entire movie without subtitles or learning a set number of new words.
Recommendations for specific movies and TV shows for different age groups
For Young Children (Ages 3-7)
Movies: Finding Nemo, Frozen, Trolls
TV Shows: Peppa Pig, Bluey, Dora the Explorer
For Early Elementary (Ages 8-12)
Movies: The Lion King, Shrek, Matilda
TV Shows: The Magic School Bus, SpongeBob SquarePants
For Teenagers (Ages 13-17)
Movies: Spider-Man, The Hunger Games, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
TV Shows: Stranger Things, The Flash, Big Bang Theory
For Older Students (Ages 18 and Up)
Movies: The Pursuit of Happyness, The Hangover
TV Shows: Friends, Modern Family, Breaking Bad
As you can see, movies and TV shows can be fun AND educational! When watching for learning purposes, be sure to use our tips, like pausing to understand new words and talking about what you watch. Balance screen time with other activities and practice English in daily life. With these ideas, movies and TV shows can help your child learn English while having fun!
