Saturday 3 October 2009

Under-Utilised Language Resource Available near YOU!


In your house I am certain that you have an under-utilised resource to help with your English language learning. I imagine that you have ten, twenty, thirty or even more of these. 'What are you talking about Dave?' I hear you cry. I am talking about DVDs.
If you're anything like me then you buy a DVD of a film you saw at the cinema and really liked or one that a friend said was good, watch it twice at the most, then stick it on the shelf to join the collection. Occasionally you lend them to friends... and that's it. What a waste. If English is not your first language you may have either been watching a dubbed version or watching a version with subtitles in your own language. No!!!!
By all means watch it the first time in your L1 (first language), but any subsequent viewings should be done in English. You have an exam to pass here, and a vital component part of that is listening. Often, but sadly not always, you have the option to have subtitles too. In English. Do that! If you have a choice go for the subtitles for the hearing impaired, as for some reason they often seem to be better and more accurate than regular subtitles. So, get the popcorn, sit back and watch your film. Enjoy, and all the while your brain picks up new language and helps absorb the language you already know all the more.

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