Learning a new language, especially English, can seem very complicated. There are many different grammar rules and sentence structures to contend with. Not all four skills of the English language (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) can be learned from a textbook. Fortunately, there is a way of extra learning where you can sit and pay attention to a screen: watching an English-language television show.
Everyday speaking and listening are different in many English-speaking countries with most native English speakers maintaining different regional accents. This even varies from country to country e.g. Australia or Scotland. You will come across unique colloquial terms that you have never heard before.
If you are at a pre-intermediate level, we recommend starting by watching children’s shows as these will not have complicated terms and sentence structures. Once you are more confident, you can find a main programme in English that you like. Watch it on repeat until you know the storyline well and you can quote some of the lines. Practice your English listening skills by listening to the show and not watching what’s unfolding on screen. What are the emotions of the characters? Are they happy? Sad? What can you tell about the story from the way the characters talk? Do they sound upper class? Do they mumble? Are they soft-spoken?
You can also take on the challenge of becoming the character and saying out loud what kind of lines you think they would say in a certain situation. Try this with a friend and improvise by creating your funny dialogue. Another way to improve your speaking skills is to copy the pronunciation of the actors. This could include idioms or popular catchphrases.
You could also turn on the English subtitles for English language shows so you can see grammar structures in context. This will enhance your understanding of when to use them, especially when writing in business and academic English.
Are you ready to immerse yourself in the world of English? It’s time to sit back, relax, and delve into some English language TV shows.
- Downton Abbey
The show follows an upper-class British family from aristocracy in the early 20th century during the Edwardian period. You can see the British class system and interactions between the lower-class servants and the upper-class family. This historical drama represents the ‘upstairs downstairs’ dynamic which meant that the family lived upstairs whilst the servants lived and worked in the lower levels of the grand house. As you follow the family, their lives run in parallel to real-life major events at the time such as the First World War and the Spanish Flu pandemic.
When listening, note the differences between the way the characters speak. The family have Received Pronunciation (RP) as a British accent which denotes high social prestige and they speak like the King. The servants have various types of accents and do not speak with an RP accent.
Where to Stream Online: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and ITVX
2. Breaking Bad
Content warning: Violence
One of the highest-rated shows in recent times, Breaking Bad, follows a chemistry teacher, Walter White, who discovers that he has cancer and decides to start making crystal methamphetamine to repay his medical debts. Jesse (a former student) becomes his business partner. Note the explosive and complicated dynamic between Walter and Jesse.
When listening, note the American accent. What idioms or colloquialisms can you learn? What complex morals or themes have you noticed?
Where to Stream Online: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
3. The Great British Bake Off
Now for a wholesome, British classic! Twelve amateur bakers compete to win the chance to be crowned Britain’s best baker. An excellent example of British humour at its best, you will also learn a lot about British food. Throughout this show, you can gain an understanding of British culture and values.
When listening, note the different British accents between the contestants. You will also learn idioms such as “soggy bottom” which is a running joke on the show. At the bottom of the cake when it is not cooked properly, the bottom becomes “soggy” meaning too wet. The idiom can also mean your ‘bottom’ is wet.
Where to Stream Online: Channel 4/4OD, Amazon UK, Netflix
4. Peaky Blinders
Content warning: Violence
Based on the real-life Peaky Blinders gang from the early 20th century in Birmingham, the show follows the Shelby family and the criminal activities they are involved in. The show focuses on Tommy Shelby as the head of the family and how his decisions affect his family and the local community. With plenty of action, you will never be bored and you will find yourself rooting for Tommy. With 6 series and a film on the way, there are plenty of opportunities to improve your English listening skills.
Put your flat cap on and see how many accents you can identify. Can you understand the Birmingham ‘Brummy’ accent? What regions are the characters from? Can you tell their social class?
Where to Stream Online: Netflix, BBC iPlayer
5. Friends
This may be an obvious suggestion due to the worldwide popularity of the show. You’ve probably watched Friends in your native language. If you don’t know Friends, the show follows six 20–30-year-old professionals in 1990s Manhattan in New York, navigating their lives together. From storylines such as Ross and Rachel’s notorious break ups, Monica and Chandler’s developing relationship, and Phoebe’s surrogacy journey, you can follow their character arcs and growth.
As you’re listening, note the American and New York accents. The dialogue is slow and easy to follow along with the plot for each episode. As the characters are speaking, there are colloquialisms and idioms that you can pick up on. Celebrities such as former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and the leader of the South Korean group BTS, Kim Namjoon, learned English by watching Friends.
Where to Stream Online: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
Here are our 5 suggestions for TV shows that can help you to improve your English. We hope these shows are a useful tool on your English language learning journey.
At Hilderstone College, we pride ourselves on our English language courses and how the methodology is conveyed to students. We are accredited by the British Council and have been rated a Centre of Excellence by the EL Gazette since 2010. We have been teaching English since 1970. Since the college’s inception, we have gained 55 years of collective experience in improving the English language skills of our students.
See what some of our former students said about their stay with us:
“An excellent language school that significantly boosts language proficiency in a short time—both for everyday English and academic English. The experience is not only highly effective but also enjoyable, with fascinating insights into English culture woven in. I attended to prepare for the TOEFL, and the three weeks were incredibly well-spent, leaving me more than satisfied with my final score. Dominic was a fantastic teacher who tailored his approach to our individual language levels and goals, and he even remained available as a contact for assistance with academic texts after the course ended. I can wholeheartedly recommend Hilderstone.”
“I attended a language course on three weeks there and am absolutely happy with my experience! The teachers are incredibly competent and you really learn useful, non-standard tools in order to advance even further, absolutely recommend it!”
“One of the best institutes for teaching English. Thank you to all the professors, the director of the institute, and all the staff. I was happy to study at this institute. They were very professional and were keen to teach the students the English language in a distinguished way. They had trips and tourist tours to get to know the city and its surroundings.”