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How can you create fun and meaningful learning opportunities with the help of television programmes and streaming services? What if your young and older English learners could watch them without feeling guilty? Yes, it’s possible to turn TVs and Netflix into a sofa-based language lab!

Read on to find out how you can motivate your students to talk about their homework in class and keep watching episodes, films, and documentaries in English outside the class.What more could an English teacher ask for?

Favourite Scenes

Ask your students to watch an episode or a film of their choosing at home, and to bring a drawing or other image of their favourite scene to the next class. They have to present the scene to the class and explain why it is so interesting.

You can adapt this activity for all levels. For example, you could ask a beginner to describe what they see in the picture, an intermediate learner to say why the scene is important, and an advanced learner to talk about the social messages that this scene conveys.

Tip: Ask your students to use English subtitles to improve their spelling and reading skills. For advanced levels, turning off the subtitles is recommended. Explain that it’s not necessary to understand every single word, and that already knowing the plot can help tremendously.

Diving into English Culture & History

A plethora of shows is ready to let your students familiarise themselves with the culture and history of English-speaking countries!

For example, ‘The Crown’ is a popular show that follows the captivating story of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, which began in the 1940s. This could also be a perfect choice for learners interested in developing a British accent, gaining exposure to a wide range of vocabulary, or learning formal English.

Tip: Explain to your students that some characters in all series and films may come from different countries and have accents that can be hard to understand. But though almost all English learners would prefer listening to standard English since it’s easier, it’s good to know that English is spoken as an international language by many people around the globe, and understanding different accents is extremely beneficial.

Documentaries & Resources

A good selection of free documentaries and educational resources, which can be used by both you and your students, can be found here: Netflix Documentaries & Resources for all.