Learning English through Sitcoms

There are lots of American sitcoms to enjoy learning real life English and get benefits that will definitely make you start binge-watching!

Before you start watching these great series, have a look at the tips how to watch them effectively:

1. Use a notepad to make a note of what the characters are saying – especially when you notice specific phrases or other features of language.

2. Repeat the funny lines to yourself a few times and try to copy the timing and emphasis.

3. Use English Subtitles, the next time you want to watch the same episode, try to watch it without subtitles.

There are 4 of sitcoms I like the most:

1. Friends

This is a funny show and the jokes are very obvious which means you don’t have to understand English perfectly to get what is being said.

The language is conversational and you’ll also learn how to understand basic humor through the dialogue. The speed of the dialogue also appears to be much slower and clearer than most other sitcoms, which makes it easier for all of you trying to learn English understand more.

2. The Big Bang Theory

You’ll be able to hear and understand everyday slang in context such as “What’s up?” And if you’re particularly interested in science, you can pick up a lot of vocabulary related to the topic. Because it’s set around a university campus, you’ll also get a feel of what it’s like to learn in an American college and some of the language that students use.

3. How I met your mother

Despite the complex time issue, this is a very easy series to understand once you understand the idea of it. There’s a narrator throughout the series (Ted) and this helps explain what’s going on. 

It’s an entertaining show and uses a lot of humor and everyday language. For example, you’ll hear words such as “high five,” “legendary” and “awesome” being used a lot.

4. Sex and the City

The more you enjoy a show, the easier it will be to learn from it. The language is simple and they use many phrasal verbs, which will help you to understand the context of these otherwise tricky phrases.

The English that’s used in the show is natural and typical of NYC, so if you’re planning on heading to the Big Apple, this series is a must-watch