The document provides tips for using films to help improve English language skills. It recommends choosing films in genres you enjoy and ones you're already familiar with to make understanding easier. Asking friends for recommendations and using subtitles are also suggested. Some specific film suggestions are provided, like Harry Potter, Home Alone, The King's Speech, and Leap Year. The overall message is that immersing yourself in English-language films can help pick up new expressions beyond textbooks while entertaining at the same time.

1. ENGLISH PHRASES
FOR DESCRIBING
FILMS
7/ 24/ 2023 1

2. • “THE FIRSTFILM WAS A HIT, BUT THE SEQUEL BOMBED.”
• “I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT THE WHOLETIME!”
• "THE SPECIAL EFFECTS WERE BREATHTAKING, BUTTHE ACTING LEFTSOMETHING TO BE DESIRED.”
• “HAVEYOU SEEN THE TRAILER FOR THE FINAL PARTOF THE TRILOGY?”
• “I HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING THE DIALOGUEWITHOUT SUBTITLES.”
• “ALTHOUGH THEPREMISEWAS INTRIGUING, THE PLOT WAS A LITTLE HARD TO FOLLOW.”
• “THE COMPLETELY IMPLAUSIBLETWISTAT THE END RUINED IT.”
• “IT’S THE FEEL-GOOD FILM OF THEYEAR – I FOUND IT VERY TOUCHING.”
• “MY BOYFRIEND THOUGHT IT WAS HILARIOUS, BUTI THOUGHT THEY WENT A LITTLE OVERBOARD
WITH THE POTTY HUMOUR.”
• “TO BE HONEST, I LIKED THE REMAKEBETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL – THE CASTWAS MUCH
STRONGER.”

3. • “THE FIRST FILM WAS A HIT, BUT THE SEQUEL BOMBED.”
• Describing a film is a “hit” means it’s popular and successful. A sequel is another film that continues the story or theme of
a previous one – for example, Toy Story 2 is the sequel to Toy Story. If you say a film “bombed,” it means it was a failure; it
was not popular or successful.
• “I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT THE WHOLE TIME!”
• This is an idiomatic expression that means the film was very interesting and exciting; you were so involved with it that
you sat on the edge (the front part) of your seat to get closer to the action.
• “THE SPECIAL EFFECTS WERE BREATHTAKING, BUT THE ACTING LEFT SOMETHING TO BE DESIRED.”
• Special effects are the effects created by computers, and acting is the performance of the actors and actresses. If you
say something is breathtaking, it means it was amazing and incredible. The expression “left something to be
desired” means it was not very good; you wish it had been better.
• “HAVE YOU SEEN THE TRAILER FOR THE FINAL PART OF THE TRILOGY?”
• A trailer is a 2-3 minute video summary of a film, showing a few scenes that will interest people in seeing the entire film.
A trilogy is a series of 3 films (like Lord of the Rings).
• “I HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING THE DIALOGUE WITHOUT SUBTITLES.”
• “I have a hard time” is a common way to say “I have difficulty” in everyday spoken English. Subtitles are the written
words on the bottom of the screen.

4. • “THE COMPLETELY IMPLAUSIBLE TWIST AT THE END RUINED IT.”
• A twist is an unexpected turn of events. If you describe it as implausible, it means it was too unlikely, not probable, too difficult to believe that it could
really happen in that way. The word ruined means made it bad.
• “IT’S THE FEEL-GOOD MOVIE OF THE YEAR – I FOUND IT VERY TOUCHING.”
• A “feel-good” film is one that makes you feel good, obviously! The word touching means that it affected you emotionally in a good way. Another word
you can use is heartwarming – it made your heart feel positive emotions.
• “MY BOYFRIEND THOUGHT IT WAS HILARIOUS, BUT I THOUGHT THEY WENT A LITTLE OVERBOARD WITH THE POTTY HUMOUR.”
• The word hilarious means extremely funny. “Potty humour” (also called “toilet humour” or “off-color humour”) is humor that is rather gross or
disgusting (usually containing sexual connotation). The expression “went a little overboard” means “there was a little too much.”
• “ALTHOUGH THE PREMISE WAS INTRIGUING, THE PLOT WAS A LITTLE HARD TO FOLLOW.”
• The premise is the idea or concept of the film, and intriguing is a word that means interesting, something that gets your attention. The plot is the story
of a film or book, and if it was “hard to follow” it means it was difficult to understand or confusing as you were watching it.
• “TO BE HONEST, I LIKED THE REMAKE BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL – THE CAST WAS MUCH STRONGER.”
• You can start a phrase with “to be honest” when you want to give your honest opinion. Sometimes filmmakers take a film from the past and re-create it
– the new version is called a remake. The word cast refers to all the actors and actresses who participated in the film.

5. Person A: Hey John, I'm going to see The Matrix with Peter and Brad. Do you wanna come?
Person B: When are you going, mates?
Person A: We're going to see the eight O'clock showing.
Person B: That would be great. Where are you meeting?
Person A: We're meeting at the cinema at seven thirty.
Person B: Great! I'll meet you there.
Person A: Hey Jill.
Person B: What's up Mike?
Person A: I was wondering if you have any plans for tomorrow night.
Person B: Umm... I don't think I have anything special for tomorrow. Why?
Person A: Would you like to see Mission Impossible with me?
Person B: Yeah, let's go! I wanted to see it badly.
Person A: What time is it good for you?
Person B: How about seven thirty?
Person A: Sure. I'll meet you at the cinema then.
Practise the conversation

6. Person A: Hey Melissa, what did you think about the film?
Person B: Oh, the first film was a hit, but the sequel bombed.
Person A: I couldn't agree more. And moreover, my friend thought it was hilarious, but I
thought they went a little overboard with the potty humour.
Person B: No wonder, it was too unlikely!
Person A: Sure thing. Have you seen the trailer for the final part of the trilogy?
Person B: Not yet, but I'm egearly excited to do and hopeful they don't leave anything to be
desired this time.
Person A: Hey Jill.
Person B: What's up Mike?
Person A: I was wondering about the film last night. It was great, wasn't it?
Person B: Well! As for me, the completely implausible twist at the end ruined it.
Person A: Really? I liked the plot a lot.
Person B: Although the premise was intriguing, the plot was a little hard to follow.
Person B: Besides, I had a hard time understanding the dialogues without subtitles.
Person A: Oh yeah! I feel you, it bugs a lot. I hope they provide subtitles next time.
Person B: Me too. For now, I can only say that the cast at least was better than the last one!
After the show

7. 7/ 24/ 2023 7
Exercise: https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/a2-reading/films-entertainment

8. Watch the video
and
answer the following questions!
7/ 24/ 2023 Sa m ple F ooter T ext 8
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVsyJvxX48A

9. • What's the name of the film?
• What's the difference between "possibly" and "probably"?
• What's the meaning of "take for granted?"
• What are they possibly going to watch?
• Who's the main actor?
• Who does he meet at the house front door?
• What did he come to apologise for?
• What does the word "box" mean in the context they used it?
• Does Chris Gardner have a car?
• What happens to him at the end?

10. • Films provide more than just entertainment. For many people, watching foreign language films is a way to develop their language skills. Whilst watching a film you are
immersed in the language and can pick up new expressions that you might not find in a textbook. Some difficulties can arise when watching foreign language films - for
example, unfamiliar colloquial language or strong regional accents. With this in mind, here are my tips to ensure you get the most enjoyment possible out of watching a
film in English.
• Choose a film genre that you enjoy.
If you like action films, watch an action film - for example, Indiana Jones. If you prefer comedies, watch a comedy - anything with Hugh Grant in always provides a laugh!
It's simple enough, but if you choose something you enjoy watching in your native language, you're more likely to enjoy it in English.
• Choose something that you are familiar with.
It's best to start off with something simple; this way you have a higher chance of understanding the content of the film. Disney films, such as The Lion King or the more
recently released Tangled, are classic examples. Other animations such as Up and The Lego Movie are also worth a watch. The recently released Paddington is also an
enjoyable and entertaining film.
• Ask friends for advice.
Perhaps you have friends who have already seen an English film? If so, they may be able to recommend you a film.
• If you need to, use the subtitles.
For beginners, subtitles are very useful. Using subtitles in your own language is the easiest option, but for more advanced learners why not consider using English
subtitles? This way, you can match the written subtitles to the words spoken on screen, helping you to develop your language further.
• If you don't know where to begin, here are some suggestions:
• Harry Potter - an obvious suggestion but nonetheless a fantastic series which can be enjoyed by people of any age.
• Home Alone - for anyone still in a festive mood, this is a great comedy which takes place over the Christmas holidays.
• The King's Speech - perhaps a little more difficult, but for those who like biopics this film won't disappoint.
• Leap Year - for those who like romantic comedies, this one is highly entertaining!
• I hope you find these tips useful - if you want to recommend a film to other users feel free to use the comments section below!
Films – A great way to learn English