Tips for Learning on TV

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

Hana:Right?

Ben:So, TV shows?

Hana: Yes.

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

Hana: My favorite all time is the TV drama called Friends.

Ben: Oh, yeah! Yeah.

Hana: Have you seen it before?

Ben: Friends is super popular in the U.S. Yeah, yeah.

Hana: It is, yes. I mean, first of all, I just love the story.

Ben: Okay.

Hana: Other 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.

Ben: Oh, right.

Hana: Yeah.

Ben: So, you're watching in English with your language in the subtitles?

Hana: Yes.

Ben: Okay.

Hana: So that I can understand the main concept first.

Ben: Right.

Hana: And then, gradually, I changed to English subtitles.

Ben: Oh, 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.

Hana: True, yeah.

Ben: Okay, that's a great strategy.

Hana: That 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.

Ben: Right, so it's more ... a way to enjoy learning English and studying.

Hana: Yes.

Ben: Actually, you know ... You said Friends, right?

Hana: Yep, yep.

Ben: So 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.

Hana: Netflix, yeah.

Ben: Yeah, 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.

Ben: That's a great-

Hana: And 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.

Hana: Mm-hmm.

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

Hana: I do.

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

Hana: Full House.

Ben: Full House, yeah!

Hana: Full House, yes.

Ben: Okay, you know they recently did a revamp, a newer version it.

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

Ben: I haven't either. Well, you recommend either Friends or Full House.

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

Ben: Oh, that's on Netflix, as well.

Hana: Have you ever heard it? Yeah.

Ben: Yeah, I have.

Hana: He 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.

Ben: That's daily English. Yeah, daily life English.

Hana: Yeah, so I found it easier to use.

Ben: Okay, so you recommend-

Hana: Yeah, yeah.

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

Hana: Daily, yes.

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

Hana: You're welcome.