Can You Learn A New Language By Watching Movies?
The global film market is burgeoning in every corner of the world. With heavy reliance on entertainment in our society, it’s no secret that people turn to movies and TV series to keep themselves occupied. But, is it possible to turn this interest into an educational endeavor?
While skeptics may argue that movies are only meant to be watched for entertainment purposes, we think you can get a lot more out of them. Here’s why we believe watching movies is a great way to brush up on your language skills.
It’s Motivating
When was the last time you woke up excited to open your language book? Unless you’re a hardcore linguist, the chances are that you procrastinate until the guilt gets to you. And that’s something you never have to deal with when watching a movie.
A movie is far more interesting for people than books. The score, color grading, and plot through a visual medium are far more appealing to the average person and help you concentrate for longer. You can switch on the subtitles and follow along, or watch a movie in a foreign language; either way, you’re more likely to complete the movie than your book.
You Get Visual Context
Learning a language with the help of a visual medium gives you context that you might not have been provided through just reading your sources. Not only do you learn the proper pronunciation, but you also see situations where specific phrases and mannerisms are used.
This helps you understand the language through visual supports and increases your confidence. You know how to phrase your words and your body language, which many first-time language learners struggle with.
You Build A Community
If you’re a regular consumer of foreign films, you can easily join forums with other movie enthusiasts who share your interest. This might help you connect with native speakers who can further assist you in your language learning journey!
While friends and films are a great way to learn, they’re often good to turn to practice, rather than learn from scratch. If you’re interested in learning Hebrew and hope to be fluent in grammar and writing, along with speaking, you need to take language classes.
Ulpan-Or is a Hebrew online school that provides Hebrew language learning to students. You can take a short test to be placed in a language level best suited for you and be paired with native teachers and other students who share your interest in learning! Contact them today for more information on their services.