TV Shows
To improve their proficiency in English, or in any language, students must expose themselves to native speakers speaking their target language.
This can be accomplished, in the following ways. They are ranked in order of effectiveness,
moving abroad and living in an English-speaking country so that you listen to and speak English every day
Entering a romantic relationship with a native speaker of English
working/ volunteering five days a week in an English-speaking office or workplace
Taking online English classes on a regular schedule. I hear Chilingual has some fun classes!
Speaking with your COCC on a regular schedule
Watching an English language TV show on a regular schedule
Watching an English language movie
Why is a television show better than a movie?
One reason is that a TV show is always longer than a two-hour-movie. Secondly, since a TV show has characters that do not change too much, once your brain understands who the characters are, it can begin focusing on the language that they are using instead of trying to figure out who is who. In addition, language proficiency is built upon consistent action and repetition, which is why watching an episode of “Breaking Bad” every night after dinner for 62 consecutive nights is more effective than watching a bunch of different movies.
Should I watch with subtitles, or without subtitles?
Yes!
I have gotten this question for more than 20 years, and my answer (Yes!) has frustrated students for 20 years. But it is true. Watching a show without subtitles forces your brain to focus on listening skills and trying to comprehend what is happening. Watching a show with subtitles, in contrast, forces your brain to focus on reading, vocabulary and spelling. These are also important linguistic skills. So what to do? In a perfect world, I recommend that you watch a show first with subtitles. Then later on, you return to that same show, and watch it again without subtitles. It’s okay, your kids don’t need to see you-just give them some dinner and an iPad and tell them to leave you alone.
Can Chilingual recommend any good shows for me to watch?
Why yes !I thought you’d never ask! Click the link below.