Top 8 Great Movies & TV Shows for Your ESL Classes
Language teachers have been using films in their classes for decades, and there are a number of reasons why film and television shows are excellent teaching and learning tools. These makes the language learning process more entertaining and enjoyable.
Additionally, films and TV shows provide students with various examples of English language used in ‘real-life’ situations outside the classroom, mainly interactive language – the language of real-life talk.
Movie/book Combos for Beginners
Here are our picks for the 8 best films and TV shows to learn English with ---
- Friends
Friends is perhaps the best-known American TV show in the world. With a mix of sarcasm, humour and lessons, the show ended in 2004 after 10 years on the air. It’s easy to understand and the dialogues are completely relatable to practical conversations.
- Shrek
Shrek is an animated film trail the story of a misjudged green ogre, Shrek. It is a 4-part movie series thus you have lots of variable storylines to choose from with this story! This film is cherished by individuals of all ages all over the world. By sharing clips from Shrek, you can have some fun with your ESL classroom. Your learners can learn some fairytale vocabulary as well.
- Stranger Things
Well, we all love something different right? If you want to display your ESL students something little different, a little more mystic, and a little more mysterious, then Stranger Things is the perfect choice. Also, this storyline delivers a lot of awareness into the inner child of adult Americans.
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
It’s a great combo for an ESL class. The writing is very clear and very accessible to children. Moreover, Dahl’s books remain favorite even times later. This can be a good overview to reading for substance and understanding new vocabulary from context.
- The Office
Another American sitcom based on working life in an office. However, the real-life office may not be quite like this one. Still, this will expand your student’s terminology and let them see a picture of American humor as it relays to one’s everyday work life.
- Modern Family
With the children speaking a lot slower as well as using simpler vocabulary, you’ll find it quite easy to learn English with this entertaining show. The best thing about learning English with Modern Family is that most of the cast are children.
- Sherlock
Certainly, Sherlock is an iconic British literary character in a fun and contemporary format. Though you may find that Benedict Cumberbatch might speak pretty quickly, the show is a great example of British Television that you’ll find too appealing to turn off. There are plenty of new words to learn in Sherlock.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Certainly, the rhymes and rhythm of the story are fun and can support students learn pronunciation. There are two versions of the movie, animated one and live-action version. So, consider your group of students before deciding which one would work better for them.
Final Thoughts
Always try to choose shows or movies with shorter episodes or times so that you don’t get too stunned with all the new vocabulary. Online TEFL Course can help you a lot in this regard as you will learn all the upgraded English teaching approaches. Reading and listening to English at the same time is the greatest way to get your brain to engage in new vocabulary.
