How OTT Platforms Enhance English Language
Teacher: Turn to page 50, we will be reading chapter 5 of literature today.
Student: YAAAAAAWWWWWWWNNNNNNNN!
Well, do you connect with this scenario? You are not alone! Attending an English language classroom can become unexciting and boring at times.
Though English classes too can be fun and engaging, as in at Learn from Native that makes your English language learning an exhilarating online adventure and you can learn English step by step. But apart from the regular English learning classes, many times you feel the need for something fun and interesting. Something that engages you and at the same time teaches you English unconsciously, without much effort from your side.
Why not tune into OTT then?
OTT full form is “Over the top” which relates to TV and film content that can be watched using the internet connection alternatively to satellite service or cable connection. OTT platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Prime videos, MX Player Pro, etc are available paid or free of cost on which you can watch videos, movies, series, TV shows, and much more.
Due to the pandemic, people adopted these platforms to entertain themselves. Many new movies and TV shows were launched on OTT that provides superior, authentic, and engrossing content, keeping the audiences glued.
But how does this platform help you in enhancing your English language?
OTT platforms open a world of captivating English movies, TV series, videos, music and so much more, that will never bore you and keep you hooked, as a result exposing you to a wide variety of vocabulary and colloquial speech. English from films and TV series is very innate and is close to day-to-day English as a result refining your pronunciation skills.
Your listening skills improve, as you’ll be able to hear a variety of different accents. You will get a clear understanding of the accent and tone of the language.
Your conversational skills will also improve as you are more likely to remember words and sentence structure when they are connected to something engaging.
You will become a pro in predicting the meaning of words without picking a dictionary. With continuous repetition of words, phrases, and expressions you will be able to extrapolate the meaning of the word without looking into a dictionary.
Most of the shows on OTT platforms offer subtitles. Beginners can switch to their native language, while advanced learners can opt for English subtitles to improve their spelling and reading.
It is an affordable platform for learners. Some are free of charge, and others may require paying a minimal subscription price.
It also helps learners pick out and comprehend cultural idiosyncrasies. Exposure to various cultures and customs helps in better expression of the language.
Most importantly, it is entertaining so you would be regular and consistent. You love watching films, especially if they are of your choice. This not only keeps you entertained but also keeps you motivated and involved throughout the learning process.
OTT platforms provide you with a distinct learning experience that amalgamates education with entertainment. It’s like having a cake and eating it! But not everything that’s streaming is worth your time, so here we have created a list of shows, movies, and videos available on the OTT platform to sharpen your English language skills. Grab that popcorn bucket and get ready for some ‘Edutainment’!
(Edutainment was a term coined by Walt Disney who was a firm believer in education through films and televisions)
Below we have compiled a list of shows and movies that are trending on the OTT platforms that not only engage you but also can be a great way to attain new English skills.
TV Shows
Friends – A popular American sitcom is ‘Friends’. The story is about six friends. We suggest this series because you can connect with the storyline. The dialogue is often slow going and well-paced. It is useful for getting familiar with everyday conversations and sentence structures that are often used. Although the show’s hilarity focuses on the pun, you can still understand the plot and enjoy the show.
The Crown – The Crown is another British hit show that is based on the life of Queen Elizabeth II. The accents are obviously British which makes this show worth a watch for anyone wanting to study more about standard British English.
House of Cards – It’s basically about a dangerously ambitious politician who uses corruption to become president of the United States. The language is a blend between day-to-day speech and complex political jargon.
Suits – It is a legal drama and one of the best shows to acquire Business language. It may not be suited for people learning everyday English, but it is perfect for those wanting to master business English.
Movies
Mercury 13 – This is a documentary that discloses the true story of a group of women who were denied spaceflight in 1961 because of their gender. If you like documentaries, stories about women’s rights then this one is worth a watch plus you will pick up tons of vocabulary about history and space.
Irreplaceable You – This movie will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions, expose you to an American accent, and at the same time give insights into some medical vocabulary.
Enola Holmes – It is a mystery film, with adverse usage of adjectives making you sound like a true English native speaker. Picking the advanced vocabulary from Enola Holmes will surely make your English more polished.
The Son of Bigfoot – This movie takes you on an expedition through a diversity of settings, including schools, jungles, and even scientific facilities. At the same time, it enriches you with the connected vocabulary. It is best for beginners to intermediate learners.
There are never-ending shows and movies that you can pick on OTT; the above list is just a starting kick to get you rolling!
Apart from binge-watching movies and TV shows you can also watch various English learning videos on YouTube that are specially curated for the English learning audience. One of them comes from the Learn from Native Family – https://www.youtube.com/learnfromnative
Get to know the Top 20 slangs, 15 commonly mispronounced English words, and more. Subscribe to the Learn from Native channel on YouTube for regular content on English skills and don’t forget to hit the bell icon!
Although OTT is great for developing your comprehension, vocabulary, and listening skills in English, to learn a language you also need to improve your English-speaking skills. Why not use your newly acquired knowledge of English phrases and vocabulary and take them to an advanced level? There are many English Learning Apps available in the market, but Learn From Native is unique making sure you learn English with the Native Speakers. Enroll at Learn from Native for a perfect learning experience to Master American English-speaking skills and show off what you’ve learned on OTT.
With the importance of the English language increasing, working with a native tutor one-on-one will outstandingly lower the time you need to master English and give you a special chance to have your improvement monitored by a professional tutor who will check your development in fluency, grammar, pronunciation, and overall English communication skills.
Learning new vocabulary, phrases, and expressions through OTT is good, but combining it with speaking practice will hurl you into the world of how to be fluent in English. For this Learn from Native will always be your guiding angel!