1.
Foreign Language Subtitles.
You can use subtitles two different ways when you're watching a movie to build your language skills.
The first way is to have themturned on in the language you're trying to learn.
Think of this as closed captioning in the target language.
This is a useful strategy for a few different reasons.
First, it allows you to match spoken and written language.
If you have trouble picking out certain words or if the language you're learning regularly drops endings, then having the transcripts on as you watch can help you develop your listening skills.
Additionally, having subtitles on encourages you to speed up your reading skills.
When you start out, you probably won't be able to read the subtitles as quickly as they're shown on the screen.
If you keep at it, you'll soon be able to keep up with them.
2.
Native Language Subtitles.
You can also turn on the subtitles to your native language, for example English subtitles in an Anime film if I'm trying to learn Japanese.
For beginning learners, this is useful to help you keep up with the plot line.
Again, you'll slowly be able to pick up words in the language you're trying to learn the more you watch, matching them to the subtitle translations.
Actually, you might get more out of native language subtitles if you are more advanced.
For example, imagine for a moment watching most of a scene and understand what's going on, except for the occasional verb or adjective.
Native language subtitles are useful to pick out these unusual vocabulary words that were previously unfamiliar to you.
3.
Dubbed movies.
Voiceover translations, or dubbed movies, can be a good choice for beginning learners.
Choose movies you already know and love.
For example, if you can quote every line in the Star Wars saga, then find them in the language you want to learn.
The reason behind this is that at the beginning levels, you can focus on picking out your favorite lines and translating them for yourself as you watch.
4.
Action films.
Action films are also great films to watch in another language when you're just starting out.
You can enjoy the plotline and follow along without getting lost in too much dialogue.
You'll also learn great survival vocabulary like, "Help!" "Police!" "Watch out!" 5.
Genre films.
You can find a movie about any topic these days, whether it's a historical drama or contemporary commentary about social issues.
If you're enrolled in a formal language course or are studying vocabulary for specific purpose (e.
g.
, business, medical terminology, etc.
), focus on movies that use the same vocabulary you're currently trying to develop.
This helps put the vocabulary in context and serves to reinforce your efforts.