How English Films and Songs Help in IELTS

IELTS test takers, know what? You can do it with fun and frolic by watching English films. Yes, that’s the mantra to do it without too much fuss. I often meet many students who consider IELTS a huge burden on their back, and clearing it would be the best thing for them. Their mind starts forming a negative image of the exam, and they suffer. I always advise my students to watch English films with subtitles and then without. It helps them tremendously. Most students ignore the power of listening. They keep listening to songs and watching films in their native language and struggle, especially in the listening module. English films and songs are a great escape from the monotonous life and rejuvenate us with spirit and inspiration. One student asked me, “How can films help you become fluent in English?” She now has (8, 7, 7, 7)—the golden score for Express Entry for Canada. She’s on the PR card in Vancouver, Canada, and is enjoying Canadian life with her husband.

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Have you ever wondered how a child sharpens his grammar without ever reading anything before enrolling in kindergarten? It’s so simple. He does it by listening to his parents and the people around him. That is the power of listening, and most people ignore it. Films do the same magic with the viewer. You don’t even come to know how films re-program your subconscious mind and help you with a great band score. So, start watching English films with subtitles to better grasp and understand the content. It will help you with all four parameters and more efficiently prepare you for the test. If you know someone who got good bands on the test, ask them about their liking for English movies. Most of the time, you will hear, “Oh, I love watching Hollywood movies. I watch them all the time. I think they produce the best content with amazing storylines,” etc., kinds of lines will come from their mouths. Let’s see the benefits of watching films …

Enjoyable Learning Experience –

Films are often loved and regarded by many as the greatest dose of entertainment. Hollywood has a special place in the movie world for producing coherent content that teaches various life lessons and is fun-packed. Moreover, films teach students about Western culture and act as a great motivator to follow their dreams for a good life.

Films offer Varied Language and Dialects –

Students learn a lot about English speakers’ different accents and dialects through films. Since most Hollywood films have native English-speaking actors, it becomes helpful for the students to treat them as a guidebook for their IELTS practice. Many students learn to speak naturally by observing the actors and performing miracles. Students often complain of not having a speaking partner to rehearse for the speaking module. Films can help them converse in a real-life situation and sound natural in English. They can also learn how to express their thoughts and emotions cohesively.

How You Can Learn from Films –

Subtitles –

It’s the best way to get familiar with English films. Many students complain that they hate watching English content because they find it hard to understand, and they doze off within a few minutes of the play. Use the subtitles of the films and songs. This will help you to understand what’s going on in the content. Pause and read the subtitles if you don’t get them. Rewind and then again watch the scene. This will train your mind better, and with time, you will start getting the content without needing to rewind. Once you become habitual in watching films with subtitles, watch them without help. Now, calculate how much improvement you have while listening to English content. Some students watch English content before and later – adding subtitles. Both work equally well. Even when my students do a listening module and score zero, I suggest they write down the right answers and listen to the audio again. This always works, and the improvement is seen in their performance.

Retell –

Tell the story in your narrative. Write down a story of around 300 words, similar to practising your writing. Task – 2. It will help you to understand writing in a better way, and you will develop your English skills overall. Pinpoint the most relevant details and write on them. Try using synonyms and keep the content coherent. It’s a fun exercise and will keep you engaging. You can envisage things clearly and will be able to jot down your thoughts. The process will help tremendously in your Writing Task- 2. I often recommend this to my students; some do it, and they perform better and write much more cohesively than their counterparts.

Audio / Visual –

We teach and often see many students read and write differently. Many students who score 5.5 bands in Academic tests or are limited to 6.5 bands in writing General Training make this mistake. They fail to complement the Task Response in their content and thus lose many bands. When you watch films, you see what happens on the screen by reading the subtitles. This helps your mind grow and train to write and speak coherently. This strategy goes a long way in helping the test-takers secure the desired band score and their visa (study Visa or PR Visa). Our minds are designed to process visuals better than reading words.

Conclusion –

Don’t underestimate the value of English films and songs. They can lay a strong foundation for your future. Start watching them today, and enjoy your IELTS journey. P.S. – The top 100 movies on IMDB can provide great entertainment while developing your personality and language skills. Click here.