Best Shows and Movies for Pre-Intermediate English Learners
If you're at a pre-intermediate English level, the following shows and movies are perfect for you—they offer relatable dialogues, clear pronunciation, and captivating storylines. By immersing yourself in these selections, you'll expand your vocabulary, learn natural speech patterns, and gain confidence in understanding and using English. Make your language learning journey enjoyable!
1. Extra
Why It's Great: Extra is a sitcom specifically designed for English learners. It follows the lives of four young adults—Bridget, Annie, Nick, and their friend Hector from Argentina, who is learning English. The show's format resembles popular sitcoms but uses simplified language, clear pronunciation, and plenty of repetition. Each episode is filled with humor and everyday situations, helping you grasp common expressions, slang, and cultural nuances used in daily conversations.
Pro Tip: Since Extra is tailored for learners, take advantage of its educational aspects. Watch an episode with English subtitles to familiarize yourself with new words and phrases. Then, rewatch it without subtitles to test your comprehension. Try pausing after key dialogues and repeat the lines to practice pronunciation and intonation.
2. Friends
Why It's Great: Friends is a timeless sitcom that has captivated audiences worldwide. It centers around six friends living in New York City, navigating life's ups and downs. The language is conversational, featuring idioms, slang, and humor that's prevalent in everyday English. The characters speak clearly, and the situational comedy makes it easier to understand the context of their conversations.
Pro Tip: Begin by watching episodes with English subtitles to catch colloquial expressions and cultural references. Note down any unfamiliar phrases and look them up. Practice using these new expressions in sentences or casual conversations to reinforce your learning. Additionally, watching multiple episodes will help you become familiar with recurring jokes and phrases.
3. The Good Place
Why It's Great: The Good Place is a comedy series that explores the afterlife and moral philosophy in a humorous and accessible way. The show follows Eleanor Shellstrop, who wakes up in the afterlife and realizes she's been mistaken for someone else. The dialogues are witty and filled with contemporary language, making it suitable for lower-intermediate learners. The characters often explain complex ideas in simple terms, aiding comprehension.
Pro Tip: Focus on the explanations of ethical concepts—they're simplified and can enhance your vocabulary related to abstract ideas. Jot down new words or phrases and try to use them in your own sentences. Discussing the show's themes with others can also improve your speaking and critical thinking skills in English.
4. The Kominsky Method
Why It's Great: The Kominsky Method is a comedy-drama featuring Michael Douglas as Sandy Kominsky, an aging acting coach in Hollywood. The show delves into themes like aging, friendship, and personal struggles, all conveyed through sharp humor and heartfelt moments. The dialogue is rich with sarcasm and wit but delivered at a moderate pace, making it accessible for learners. The interactions provide insight into everyday language used by adults.
Pro Tip: Listen closely to the banter between characters to understand nuances in tone and expression. Mimic their dialogues to practice natural intonation and rhythm in speech. This can help you sound more fluent and understand conversational cues better.
5. Finding Nemo
Why It's Great: Finding Nemo is an animated film that tells the touching story of Marlin, a clownfish searching for his missing son, Nemo. The movie features clear and expressive voice acting, making it easy to follow along. The vocabulary is suitable for lower-intermediate learners, covering themes like family, friendship, and adventure. The visual context helps reinforce understanding of the dialogues.
Pro Tip: Watch the movie with English subtitles to catch any new words. Pay attention to the expressions of emotions and descriptive language. After watching, try summarizing the story or describing your favorite scenes to practice your speaking or writing skills.
6. The Secret Life of Pets
Why It's Great: This animated comedy explores the adventures of pets when their owners leave for the day. The characters are voiced by actors with clear diction, and the dialogues are filled with humor and everyday language. The film introduces vocabulary related to daily routines, emotions, and friendship, making it an enjoyable way to enhance your English skills.
Pro Tip: Observe the interactions between characters to learn conversational phrases and expressions. Try to note down any idioms or colloquial terms used. You can also practice retelling parts of the story in your own words to improve fluency and recall.
Enjoy the process of learning English
Choosing the right shows and movies can transform your English learning experience from a task into an enjoyable pastime. By incorporating these shows and movies into your routine, you'll find that your comprehension, vocabulary, and overall confidence in English will improve significantly.
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