Is Watching Foreign Language Movies a Waste of Time?


In the world of language learning folklore we often hear that foreign language movies are a golden ticket to fluency.
But are foreign language movies really a great way to learn a language? Or are they a big waste of time?
Let’s take a look…

The Wrong Way to Watch Foreign Movies

“Watching foreign movies is a great way to learn a new language” is really exciting to hear. After all, it sounds like you can sit down in front of your TV, and expect to miraculously become fluent in Italian after 90 minutes of watching Cinema Paradiso.
Needless to say, this doesn't happen.
When watching foreign language movies fails, you can end up tossing the whole idea of watching movies in favour of your tried and tested flashcards. As a result, you’d miss out on rich cultural experiences and the opportunity to improve your language skills.
Watching foreign language movies can help you learn another language, if you go about it the right way.
You can’t just watch a movie. You have to study a movie.

Here’s The Right Method for Watching Foreign Language Movies

Before I share a specific method for watching foreign language movies, I’d like to dig into the foundations you should lay before you start viewing films in another language.
Here are the five attributes of a study-focused approach to movies:

1. Focus

Passively watching a movie for fun won’t help you learn a language. You have to actively study the movie you’re watching, and focus on every word that’s said.

2. Segmentation

Watch an entire 90 minute movie in one sitting, and your brain won’t be able to absorb most of what you see. You'll slip into “passive watching mode”. Break up movies into smaller chunks of time — even down to just one scene or a small 10 minute segment — for greater language absorption.

3. Repetition

Watching a movie just once is akin to looking at a flashcard just once. If you are going to study the material you need to review it multiple times.

4. Engagement

You should be actively engaged with your movie. Speak along with the characters, practice mimicking their pronunciation, and copy their body language.

5. Subtitles

Subtitles can either be a huge crutch, or an incredible study aid. Using them the right way can elevate your study of a language to new heights. I’ll explain how to use them in a moment.

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