Watching movies, shows or videos in English (with or without subtitles) is a very important part of the process of learning that language, and that is something that we, as a culture, sometimes tend to forget. One of the reasons that people in countries like Portugal, Sweden or Norway are much more proficient in English than in other countries like Germany, France, Italy or Spain is that movies and TV shows aren’t dubbed there (with the exception of movies and shows for very small children) so kids and teenagers get used to listening English on a daily basis from a very early age, and not only at school, also at their homes, in their leisure time, etc.
Here in our schools we try to watch videos in English as much as possible, particularly with pupils of Cicle Superior, when it is easier for them to follow a program in a foreign language, and their reading speed allows them to use subtitles as an aid if necessary. This semester we have watched some Bug’s Life videos and we have learnt many things about English culture from Jack and Tara, the young hosts of the program. We have also been watching some chapters of “That’s Life”, a TV show designed for students of English as a foreign language, where we can follow the whereabouts of a bunch of youths sharing an apartment.
But watching films and TV shows in English shouldn’t be restricted to school. It’s important that our children get used to watching those movies and shows in English at their homes too, with the help of subtitles, now that fortunately technology gives us that option. When they make a habit of it, they will enjoy it and won’t be seen as a task anymore. And probably some of them won’t even like dubbed movies anymore!!
Eduard López
