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"I'm very good at reading and understanding but terrible at speaking English," says hundreds of language learners who wish to be anonymous. If you're one of them, this blog post is all yours.The main thing that keeps you away from native speakers is the textbooks and audiobooks that give just a simplified version of English. These texts just create a mere framework leaving you behind the complexities of the ground-level reality in speaking.

The best way to overcome this trouble is quite simple. If you need to learn how to swim, you need to jump into the waters. Similarly, if you wish to learn to speak English, there's no alternative to finding a native language partner. But, this might not be practical, always.

What if you could find, hear, and understand native English in the comfort of your home? Well, this is made possible with Western art forms like movies, music, and podcasts. You just need to sit back and enjoy the language-learning journey.

Here's all you need to know on how to use English Movies, Music, and podcasts to improve your speaking skills.

1. Skip the classics, learn the slang

You need not burn the midnight oil and find the best vintage classics and all. Understand that there are many slangs and variations in English and identify which one would be the most helpful for you. If you want to learn British English well, then find and watch British movies itself.

Furthermore, it is always best to watch movies whose stories are familiar to you so that you could focus more on the language part rather than the story.

2. Subtitle is your best friend

Listen and analyse each small piece of the audio. Jot down any words that spark your curiosity. You can feel free to pause and replay to study the pronunciation.

Don't forget to use subtitles. Subtitles could be like cheat codes for language learning.

3. Mimic and get into the Art

It would be good to imitate the native slang of films, podcasts, and music. When you act like a native speaker, you start to feel like one. It's a fun way to get into the culture.

If you're feeling brave, record yourself speaking and compare it to the original. Once you get over how uncomfortable it is to watch yourself on video or hear your own voice, you'll be able to see how you differ from the original, which will help you figure out where you need to improve.

4. Sing along with your favourite songs

Music is a powerful tool for language learning. Listen to English songs, and try to sing along with the lyrics. This will help you to improve your pronunciation and intonation. Plus, singing is a great way to boost your confidence.

5. Practise with podcasts

Podcasts are a great way to expose yourself to different accents and colloquial language. They are also a great way to improve your listening and speaking skills.

Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, there's a podcast out there for you. From news and current events to comedy and entertainment, you can find a podcast that interests you and helps you improve your English at the same time. Give it a try!

In conclusion, it's time to grab some popcorn, hit play on that podcast, and turn up the volume on that playlist. Using English movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts in your language-learning journey is not only effective, but it's also a fun way to improve your comprehension, speaking, and overall fluency.

If you need any help beyond the screen, there's always a True Trainer to help you. Contact us to know more.