Movie-watching is one of America's great pastimes. In fact, over 11 billion U.S. dollars were spent on the movies in 2016. If you're one of the many movie-goers who contributed to those numbers, you probably know what kind of movies you enjoy the most. However, if you're not including foreign films in your movie-going repertoire, you should. Even if you don't understand the language, there are still things that you can learn from foreign films. Here are four important reasons why you should watch foreign-language films:
Pick a Language You Want to Learn
If you're in the process of learning a new language, foreign films can help make the process easier. Not only will you get to hear how the language sounds when spoken by native-tongue speakers, you'll also find it an entertaining way to immerse yourself in the language. While you're watching the movie, keep notes of the words you need help with. This will enhance the classroom lessons you might be taking, and improve your understanding of the language.
Stick With Genre's You Enjoy
If you've never watched foreign-language films before, make sure you stick with genre's that you enjoy. If you enjoy comedies, stick with foreign comedies. You'll have an easier time adjusting to the foreign language if you know you're going to enjoy the genre. Just be sure to go in with an open-mind.
Watch It At Least Twice
When watching a foreign film, don't just watch it once. Watching it a single time won't give you the time you need to pick up on the subtle nuance's that set foreign films apart from most of the movies that are presented to US audiences. To make sure you get the most out of your foreign film viewing, be sure to watch it at least twice. To really get the most out of it, try watching it at least once by yourself. That way, you can really analyze the language.
Pay Attention to the Culture.
When learning a new language, it's important that you immerse yourself in the culture. Foreign films are an excellent way to get a glimpse into not only the language but the culture as well. Try to watch several movies from the same language, so that you can hear the differences in voices and pronunciation.
If you haven't been watching foreign films, make a change for the better. You'll learn valuable cultural lessons, and you'll get practice with the language you're learning. Check the movie theaters near you for opportunities to watch foreign films on the big screen.
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