Tips for Learning on TV

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BenHana, you just told me that one way to help with listening and practicing and understanding idioms is through American television dramas. Hana:Right?

BenSo, TV shows?

HanaYes.

BenYeah. While you were learning English, what are some shows you watched? Something I wanna tell my students they can watch.

HanaMy favorite all time is the TV drama called Friends.

BenOh, yeah! Yeah.

HanaHave you seen it before?

BenFriends is super popular in the U.S. Yeah, yeah.

HanaIt is, yes. I mean, first of all, I just love the story.

BenOkay.

HanaOther than just learning English, it's second purpose, I guess. There was an Italian or there is a character who is playboy and he used to say like, "How you doin'?" Yeah? And, it's interesting is, first, I watched the drama with my first language subtitled.

BenOh, right.

HanaYeah.

BenSo, you're watching in English with your language in the subtitles?

HanaYes.

BenOkay.

HanaSo that I can understand the main concept first.

BenRight.

HanaAnd then, gradually, I changed to English subtitles.

BenOh, okay. That's a great idea! So, first, to understand the meaning of what's being said, subtitles. Then, to maybe watch it again a second time or even a third time to understand exactly how the English is used in context of the show.

HanaTrue, yeah.

BenOkay, that's a great strategy.

HanaThat way you can enjoy just watching the movies or dramas and that way you can spend a lot more time, rather than just trying to study English.

BenRight, so it's more ... a way to enjoy learning English and studying.

HanaYes.

BenActually, you know ... You said Friends, right?

HanaYep, yep.

BenSo I think Friends is on ... It's so popular, right? And it's all over the internet. I believe it's on YouTube. You can watch it on YouTube and Netflix.

HanaNetflix, yeah.

BenYeah, Netflix. One thing that's great about YouTube, I think, is that they have a closed captioning or a subtitling option, so if you can't exactly catch what they're saying while you're listening the first time, you can put the subtitles on like you said.

Hana: Yeah, yeah, exactly.

BenThat's a great-

HanaAnd there are so many websites that shows the transcripts of the ...

Ben: That's true. You can read the scripts from the show to follow along, as well.

HanaMm-hmm.

Ben: That's great. So you said you watch Friends, right?

HanaI do.

BenAre there any others that you've heard of? Friends, I know is popular. Many people know Friends.

HanaFull House.

BenFull House, yeah!

HanaFull House, yes.

BenOkay, you know they recently did a revamp, a newer version it.

HanaYeah, they did. Yeah, I haven't seen it yet but, yeah, it's good. Good, good.

BenI haven't either. Well, you recommend either Friends or Full House.

Hana: One of my friends, he liked a drama called Prison Break.

BenOh, that's on Netflix, as well.

HanaHave you ever heard it? Yeah.

BenYeah, I have.

HanaHe watched like 60 hours or more than that and I asked him, "How's it going? Is it good?" He did understand without subtitles, which is good. And so, I asked him, "So you can speak English now, yeah? Can you use those phrases from the drama?" And he said, "Actually, not." I said, "Why?" It's because the words that they use from the drama. There's a bombing or escaping or something that's not daily life conversations, so that way Friends or Full House that people in daily life.

BenThat's daily English. Yeah, daily life English.

HanaYeah, so I found it easier to use.

BenOkay, so you recommend-

HanaYeah, yeah.

BenOkay, yeah. That's great. Thank you so much. I think my students would love to watch that kind of drama and learn daily-

HanaDaily, yes.

Ben... actual phrases you can use. Thanks so much for the tips. Thanks, Hana.

HanaYou're welcome.