Tuesday Tip for English learners

It’s OK to use subtitles when you listen.

Although it depends on your level and what you’re watching.

Here are three steps:

1. Watch in English with subtitles in your own language.

2. Then watch with English subtitles.

3. Finally, watch with no subtitles!

You can apply the steps in two different ways. Either watch films and videos with subtitles in your own language for a few months, then switch to English subtitles when you feel ready and then, after a few more months, turn them off completely.

Or you can do all three steps in one day. Watch something with subtitles in your language and then watch all or part of it again with English subtitles - maybe just ten minutes and not a whole film - and then watch it a third time with no subtitles at all.

You might be able to skip step 1 if you are already quite good at listening.

Watching films, TV shows, Netflix and videos with subtitles will help you with your listening skills, as long as you remember to actually listen!

There’s a danger you might stop listening and just read, especially if you’re watching something that is too difficult for your level. So choose your listening materials carefully first.

Subtitles can also help you learn new vocabulary.

How do you use subtitles?