TV Shows to Recommend to Students for English Study
One question that many students tend to ask is which English-language TV shows they should watch to help them improve their English skill.
And it's a very good question — films and TV shows can be very effective ways to gain new vocabulary and boost one's listening ability.
There are some series that are often mentioned when students ask for suggestions. However, we'd like to highlight some shows that aren't often brought up but are still strong choices. Additionally, there are some series that are relatively new, so they have not had the chance to develop a reputation as being good study tools.
It's important to mention that these shows deal with a wide variety of subject matter, and some may not be appropriate for every learner. If you are unsure about recommending a particular show, consider moving on to another choice instead.
Seinfeld (comedy)
Seinfeld is an American sitcom that debuted in 1989. In the 1990s, it became one of the most popular shows on American television.
The show is based on the comedy of its main star, Jerry Seinfeld. It's famous for being a "show about nothing." Instead of telling a story about doctors, police officers or investigators in dramatic situations, each episode focuses on a group of four friends and their normal, everyday experiences in New York City. This includes things like killing time while waiting for a seat in a restaurant or losing their car in a large parking lot.
Many lines from Seinfeld have become popular catchphrases that can be heard in daily conversations, such as "yada yada" and "double-dipper." Becoming familiar with this show, therefore, can help students to understand these references as well as English in general.
While many of the episodes deal with mature subjects, this show is generally appropriate for anyone — although they should have at least an intermediate level of English skill.
One Piece (adventure)
One Piece is a Netflix original series based on a Japanese manga by Eiichiro Oda, which began publication in 1997.
The show tells the story of a group called the Straw Hat Pirates, who travel the seas encountering adventure and danger everywhere they go. The group is led by Monkey D. Luffy, a passionate young man whose goal is to become the king of the pirates and find a legendary treasure called the One Piece.
Similar to the comic and anime series it is based on, One Piece has a bright and colorful style. Each of the characters has well-defined personality traits, and the English used is suitable for intermediate learners.
It is not necessary for students to know or be familiar with the original stories in order to enjoy and learn from this show.
Superstore (comedy)
Like another show on this list, Superstore is a "workplace comedy," or a series focusing on employees of a particular company. In this case, the store is called Cloud 9, and it is similar to the real-world chain Walmart, which can be found in countries around the world.
Although it is exaggerated for comedic effect, this show can help students learn a little about retail jobs in America, including things like office politics and dealing with a variety of customers in normal and not-so-normal situations.
The Office (comedy)
The Office is a famous example of a "mockumentary," or a film/TV series made to look as if it were documenting real people and real situations.
The original version of this series was released in the UK in 2001, and it focused on a team of employees at a paper company. This team's manager, however, is not quite as intelligent, funny or good at his job as he believes he is.
Similar to Superstore, The Office also deals with themes such as work culture and interactions with colleagues in a funny, satirical way.
After becoming successful in the UK, an American version was released in 2005. This version also became a huge hit and eventually led to nine seasons, which is seven more than the original British version.
Students interested in this series, therefore, have two different options to choose from: British or American. In addition, they can try watching both, which will allow them to learn about the differences in British and American senses of humor.
The English in these series is often quick and conversational, so it is not a good fit for lower-level students.
WandaVision (science fiction, drama, romance)
WandaVision is a mini-series from 2021 available on Disney+. It is connected to the popular series of Marvel films based on comic book characters.
The story focuses on a married couple with strange superhuman abilities. Although their life together seems perfect, it soon becomes obvious that something is not right in their world.
WandaVision is unique in that each episode matches the style, fashion and music of a different decade of American television. So in addition to the story being told, it can also be an interesting lesson on the history of popular American sitcoms.
Students who enjoy mysteries, romance and science fiction will likely find this series very interesting. Although it is a part of the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe, WandaVision can be enjoyed completely on its own — although knowing the backstory does help!
Unlike the other shows on this list, WandaVision is only one season, which consists of just nine episodes. This reduces the possibility of students becoming intimidated; instead, they can enjoy the entire story relatively quickly.
Adventure Time (adventure — of course!, comedy, fantasy)
In the past, Western animated shows and films were considered to be for children only. These days, however, it is understood that animation can be for all age groups, including adults.
In the case of Adventure Time, it's for both! Debuting in 2010, this comedic series tells the story of Finn and his dog/brother, Jake, in the strange Land of Ooo.
Adventure Time has developed a cult following among people of all ages, and it is not difficult to find clothing, toys and games based on the series.
Each episode is only about 11 minutes long, which is useful for short study sessions that don't require too much planning or extended concentration. Although it looks child-friendly, please note that some of the language used can be advanced.
The Big Bang Theory (comedy)
The Big Bang Theory is another sitcom that became one of the most popular shows on American television. Its name comes from the concept that the universe began with a huge explosion millions of years ago.
The story of the series is much easier to understand, however. It's about a group of scientist and mathematician friends who live in Pasadena, California. Most of them would be considered "geeks" because of their interests and eccentric personalities.
Students who watch this show should be prepared to hear some high-level, scientific vocabulary, but the show is written so that anyone can enjoy it, even if they are not math or science geniuses themselves!
Glee (musical, comedy, drama)
There are not many sitcoms that are also musicals, but Glee is one of them!
This series, which began in 2009, is about a high school singing club and the lives of its members. Although it is mostly comedic, the series also deals with a variety of social issues, including race, sexuality, disability and the complicated relationships of high school and family.
Because music plays such a large part in this show, students can get the benefit of learning English through song, which is a very effective way to practice listening, repetition and memorization of vocabulary.
Black Mirror (science-fiction, drama, thriller)
For advanced students, Black Mirror could be a strong recommendation.
Black Mirror is an anthology series, which means each episode is a totally new story with totally new characters each time. Just like WandaVision, this removes the need for viewers to commit to long seasons in order to get the complete story.
Although each episode is independent, the general theme of the series is technology and the strange and scary ways it can be used in the future — and even in the present!
Be warned that some of the stories include very intense scenes and themes that some students may find disturbing. If you're not sure how students may feel about this, we can recommend "San Junipero," which is one of the most famous episodes and has a much lighter tone than many of the others.
Viewers of this show will be exposed to a lot of new vocabulary, particularly words related to technology. However, many of the stories take place in situations in which normal, everyday English is used.
Because the episodes often inspire viewers to ask deep questions about technology and its role in society, Black Mirror can be a great source of topics for free-talk lessons.
Tune in and level up
Television shows are not only a source of entertainment, they also offer a look at the cultures that produce them. Through these and other shows, students will have the chance to improve their English while also learning about Western customs, attitudes and ideas about what is considered funny or scary.
From light-hearted comedies to disturbing looks into the future, we hope you can connect your students to the most interesting and helpful shows for them.
