How to Learn French with film and TV
So, we get this question very often. Is just passively watching French film or TV enough to be able to learn the language? And after much experience learning languages and watching others learn, we can definitely say: Yes, you can learn a language but watching film or TV.
This is even backed by science. A 2016 study found that just after one hour, Spanish students of English improved their listening skills significantly by watching an English film with English subtitles.
So, yes you do learn a language by sitting on the couch watching a screen. But you have to do it right.
Start with Subtitles
- Beginner Level: If you’re just starting out, it’s helpful to watch with subtitles in your native language. This allows you to understand the plot while picking up common phrases and vocabulary in French.
- Intermediate Level: As your comprehension improves, switch to French subtitles. This helps you connect spoken words to their written form, improving both listening and reading skills.
- Advanced Level: Try watching without any subtitles. This will challenge your listening comprehension and help you get used to the natural flow and speed of spoken French.
Choose the Right Content
- Genre: Select content that matches your interests and your language level. Comedies, dramas, and family-oriented shows often use everyday language, making them easier to understand. Historical dramas or documentaries might use more formal or specialized vocabulary. Action shows are fun to watch, but often bad at building knowledge.
- Difficulty: Start with simpler, slower-paced shows or films that have more straightforward dialogue. Animated movies or shows aimed at younger audiences can be great for beginners, as they often use clearer speech and simpler language.
Rewatching and Repetition
- Rewatching scenes or entire episodes can reinforce what you’ve learned. Pay attention to how certain phrases are used in different contexts and repeat them out loud to practice pronunciation.
- Focus on particular scenes that include new vocabulary or phrases you find challenging. Repeat them multiple times until you feel comfortable with the language used.
Active Engagement
- Take Notes: Write down new words, phrases, or expressions that you hear. Look them up and try to use them in sentences of your own.
- Shadowing: Try to repeat lines immediately after you hear them (this is called shadowing). This helps with pronunciation, intonation, and fluency.
- Pause and Rewind: Don’t hesitate to pause and rewind scenes if you miss something or want to hear it again. This is particularly useful for grasping tricky phrases or fast dialogue.
Balance with Other Learning Methods
- While watching films and TV shows is a great tool, it should be complemented with other learning activities, such as speaking practice, reading, and grammar exercises.
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