Should I Watch Movies With Subtitles For Language Learning?

Should I watch movies with subtitles when learning a language?

Recently, a reader named Ed sent me this exact question via email, and his query perfectly captured the confusion many learners face:

“I thought watching foreign films with English subtitles would be like listening to audio with a transcript – so why isn't it beneficial for language learning?“

Ed's onto something important here, but there's more nuance to this topic than meets the eye. Let me break down the different scenarios and help you understand what's most beneficial for your language learning journey.

If you prefer watching videos to reading, hit play on the video version of this post at the top of this page. Otherwise, here's what you'll discover in this article:

The Golden Rule: What Works for You Wins

Before we dive into the specifics, here's my fundamental principle: there's no absolute right or wrong approach to watching movies with subtitles for language learning.

If you find something beneficial, keep doing it. My aim is to help you understand what's most effective so you can make informed decisions about your learning.

As my old piano teacher used to say: “Olly, as a teacher I have succeeded when you don't need me anymore.” That's exactly what I'm trying to do here – give you the tools to assess what's working for your unique situation.

Scenario 1: Should I Watch Foreign Movies With English Subtitles?

The short answer: Generally not ideal for language learning.

When you're watching movies with subtitles in English whilst the film is in your target language, you're essentially removing most of the listening practice challenge. Here's why this matters:

What You're Actually Practising

The primary benefit of watching movies in a foreign language is developing your listening comprehension skills. It's the most obvious language learning benefit you get from foreign films.

The Problem with English Subtitles

When you put on English subtitles, you immediately eliminate much of the struggle from listening. Instead of pushing yourself to understand the spoken language, you lean on the English text to grasp the meaning.

Is this necessarily bad? Not if you're watching purely for entertainment. But let's not pretend this is an effective language learning activity.

A Better Alternative

If your goal is improving listening comprehension, consider using materials specifically designed for this purpose. Look for resources that provide:

• Audio in your target language
• Transcripts in the target language (not English)
• Word lists for vocabulary you don't know
• Translations as a last resort only

This gives you a gradual decrease in difficulty level, allowing you to get as much productive struggle as possible – because that's where the real learning happens.

Scenario 2: Watching Movies With Subtitles In The Target Language

The verdict: Much better for language learning.

This approach can be genuinely helpful, especially if you're finding the spoken dialogue too challenging to follow.

When This Works Best

Target language subtitles are particularly useful when:

• The movie's speech is slightly above your current level
• You need scaffolding to catch words and make sense of the plot
• You want to see how spoken language translates to written form

Important Caveats to Consider

Be aware that subtitles often don't match exactly what's spoken:

• Space constraints mean subtitles are usually condensed
• Some languages have even bigger discrepancies (for example, Cantonese films often use Mandarin subtitles)
• The format isn't ideal for deep learning since you can't easily review, underline, or take notes

My Personal Preference

I generally prefer having a proper transcript when studying, as it allows you to:

• Look forward and back through the text
• Reread difficult passages
• Underline and annotate important vocabulary
• Treat it as a proper learning text rather than fleeting subtitles

Scenario 3: Should I Watch English Movies With Foreign Subtitles?

Surprisingly effective for vocabulary building.

This might sound counterintuitive, but watching movies with subtitles in your target language whilst the audio is in English can be quite beneficial.

My Brazilian Discovery

I discovered this technique by accident in Rio de Janeiro around 2001.

I was ill and spent several days watching Woody Allen films with my friend's brother, who had Portuguese subtitles on.

Even though I was recovering from being unwell, I picked up quite a few useful vocabulary words.

Why This Method Works

When you watch English movies with foreign subtitles:

• Meaning is sorted: You understand everything because it's in English
• Focus on language: You can objectively examine the target language without struggling with comprehension
• Vocabulary acquisition: You see how familiar concepts are expressed in your target language
• Context is clear: You know exactly what each subtitle means because you understand the English

How Much Should You Do This?

I wouldn't make this your primary study method, but as a complement to other approaches – especially lots of listening practice in your target language – it can be genuinely helpful.

How To Choose The Right Approach For Your Level + Key Questions

Complete Beginners

If you're just starting out, watching movies with subtitles in your target language isn't likely to be productive. The language will simply be too difficult. Focus on:

• Beginner-appropriate listening materials
• Short dialogues with transcripts
• Gradually building your foundation before tackling films

Intermediate Learners

You have the most options:

• Try foreign films with target language subtitles first
• Remove subtitles when you feel ready for the challenge
• Use English films with foreign subtitles for vocabulary building
• Assess which approach helps you learn most effectively

Advanced Learners

Challenge yourself by:

• Watching without subtitles as much as possible
• Using target language subtitles only when absolutely necessary
• Focusing on genres or dialects that push your boundaries

Making Your Decision: Key Questions to Ask Yourself

Before deciding whether to watch movies with subtitles for language learning, consider these questions:

1. What's your primary goal? Entertainment or learning?
2. How challenging is the content? Can you follow 70-80% without subtitles?
3. Are you learning actively? Or just passively consuming?
4. Could you use your time more effectively? Would dedicated listening practice be better?

Should I Watch Movies With Subtitles? FAQ

Should I Watch Movies With Subtitles? The Bottom Line

Should I watch movies with subtitles for language learning? It depends entirely on your situation, level, and goals. Here's my guidance:

For maximum learning benefit:

• Watch foreign films with target language subtitles (if needed)
• Gradually wean yourself off subtitles as you improve
• Use English films with foreign subtitles occasionally for vocabulary
• Avoid English subtitles on foreign films if your goal is listening practice

The most important thing is that you can clearly identify when something is working for you.

When I'm studying in a way that's effective, I can put my finger on exactly why it's beneficial. That's when I “milk it for all it's worth” because motivations and circumstances inevitably change.

The key is taking advantage of what works for you while it's working.

Your language learning journey is unique, and the best approach is the one that keeps you engaged, motivated, and genuinely improving your skills.

Whether that includes subtitles or not is entirely up to you – just make sure you understand why you're making that choice.

Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.