Subtitles On or Off? Learning English from Films

Every single term, a student asks me the same thing. Should I watch films with subtitles, or without? Well, my answer usually surprises them. First, let me tell you what not to do. Don't watch with subtitles in your own language. Oh, I know, it's lovely and comfortable. But your eyes do all the work, not your ears. You finish the film, and sadly... you've learnt very little. On the other hand, switching them off completely can be terribly frustrating for most learners. Ugh, you miss the jokes, and you lose the plot! Most people give up after twenty minutes. So, here's what I recommend instead. Watch with English subtitles first. You'll see how words are actually pronounced, and how they're linked together in fast speech. Then, choose one short scene you really love. Watch that scene again, this time without subtitles. Pause after each line, and repeat it out loud. Copy the actor's feelings, not just the words! If they're shocked, sound shocked. If they're cross, sound cross! One of my students did this with a comedy series. Can you believe it? The same episode, five times! By the end, she could act out every scene. And honestly, her pronunciation improved enormously! So, subtitles aren't the enemy. They're just a tool, so use them wisely. Start with English subtitles, then slowly let go. And above all, pick something you'd happily watch anyway!