Bilingual Movies

[Niko]

Using Subtitles to Learn a Language!

Great news for those wanting to learn another language. Watch a bilingual movie!

I am trying to learn French, and find that watching French movies with English subtitles helps me a lot to improve my French. BUT, there is a problem. French movies put me to sleep. They are not the most exciting of movies.

So, my solution is to watch Hollywood movies with French subtitles. If you live and teach in France, you can easily go to the local video shop and rent a Hollywood movie with French subtitles.

As I'm happily enjoying the latest Tom Cruise blockbuster, I'm also glancing at the French subtitles. I may miss a lot of the French subtitles, but this type of speed reading and speed learning should mean my French speaking skills will go through the roof in no time.

For anyone wanting to learn another language, do what I do and rent a Hollywood movie with subtitles of the language you want to learn.

Jorge E.
(English Teacher - Paris, France)

[BrandeX]

I do it the original way you posted, as this method does nothing to help with pictographic based asiatic languages haha

[kdavid]

What also works well is listening to the movie in its original language while reading English subtitles.

This, however, is probably easier (and more beneficial) with learning languages other than Chinese. Many Chinese movies, for example, tend to take place in parts of China where standard Mandarin is not spoken. This can quite frustrating at times.

Nonetheless, yes, I agree, watching bilingual movies is a great way to improve one's listening / reading skills!