Why you CAN’T understand TV and movies without subtitles (and how to fix that)

Summary

In this video, the creator reflects on their personal journey of learning English and offers tips on improving listening skills when watching TV shows and movies in a foreign language. They highlight the challenges of fast speech, slang, idioms, and varying accents, emphasizing the importance of using subtitles and targeted content like educational YouTube videos. The creator also shares their experience with LingoPie, a platform that helps learners improve language skills by watching shows with interactive features. Overall, the video focuses on practical strategies to overcome language comprehension hurdles and make learning enjoyable.

Takeaways

• 😀 Subtitles are helpful for improving listening skills in a foreign language, even if they initially seem like a crutch.
• 😀 When learning a new language, the speed and pronunciation of native speakers can be overwhelming and difficult to follow.
• 😀 Starting with educational content on platforms like YouTube can make language learning easier before jumping into movies or TV shows.
• 😀 It's important to set achievable goals, such as reading easier content first, before tackling more complex materials like books for adults.
• 😀 Watching shows like 'Friends' can be challenging for beginners due to fast speech and heavy slang, but it becomes more manageable with time and practice.
• 😀 Idioms and slang are an essential part of language learning, but they can be confusing for beginners. Using subtitles to learn and memorize these expressions is a useful strategy.
• 😀 LingoPie is a great platform for language learners, offering interactive subtitles, flashcards, and quizzes to reinforce vocabulary and phrases from TV shows and movies.
• 😀 Different accents and dialects can make comprehension difficult, so it's a good idea to focus on one accent (e.g., American English or Mexican Spanish) when first starting out.
• 😀 Cultural references in shows and movies can be hard to understand without familiarity with the country's culture. It's important to learn gradually by watching popular content from the culture you're studying.
• 😀 Patience and consistency are key in language learning. It's okay not to understand everything immediately, but with regular practice, comprehension improves over time.
• 😀 LingoPie offers a convenient and effective way to practice language skills, making language learning enjoyable and interactive through real-life content and engaging exercises.

Q & A

Why was it initially hard for the speaker to understand TV shows and movies in English?

The main difficulty the speaker faced was the speed and pronunciation of native speakers. They talked very fast, and the words often blended together, making it challenging to understand what was being said.

What solution did the speaker use to overcome the challenge of fast speech and pronunciation?

The speaker initially stopped watching TV shows that were too difficult to understand and instead watched educational YouTube videos. These videos helped them gradually improve their comprehension by focusing on simpler content.

How did subtitles help the speaker in their language learning process?

Subtitles were crucial for the speaker to understand idioms, slang, and phrasal verbs. They used subtitles in the target language (e.g., English for English shows, Spanish for Spanish shows) to track unfamiliar words and expressions, which helped them learn and memorize them.

What role did using flashcards play in the speaker's learning process?

Flashcards were used to reinforce new vocabulary and expressions learned from TV shows and movies. Whenever the speaker came across a new word or phrase, they would create a flashcard to review later, which helped them retain the new information.

Why did the speaker recommend focusing on one accent initially?

The speaker recommended focusing on one accent (e.g., American English) at the beginning to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Learning a language with multiple accents can be confusing for beginners, so it was better to concentrate on one until they felt more confident.

What challenge does the speaker face when learning Spanish related to idioms and slang?

The speaker struggles with understanding idioms and slang in Spanish because their level in the language is not yet high enough. They often encounter expressions they don’t understand and have to look them up or ask for clarification.

How did the speaker deal with regional accents and dialects while learning English?

When learning English, the speaker initially focused on American English, watching movies and shows where people spoke in that accent. After feeling confident with American English, they started listening to other accents, like British English, to further challenge themselves.

What is the significance of cultural references in TV shows and movies for language learners?

Cultural references in TV shows and movies can be difficult for language learners to understand because they are often specific to a region or culture. These references are important for fully understanding jokes, puns, and context, which can be challenging for learners unfamiliar with the culture.

How did the speaker learn about cultural references in American media?

The speaker learned about cultural references by watching popular American shows, movies, and listening to popular music. They made an effort to familiarize themselves with the content that shaped American culture, which helped them understand more of the language used in these media.

What platform did the speaker recommend for improving language skills through TV shows and movies?

The speaker recommended Lingo Pie, a language-learning platform that offers interactive subtitles for TV shows and movies. This platform helps learners by providing instant translations and flashcards, making it easier to understand and retain new vocabulary and expressions.