Baby Reindeer

In this post, we look at a disturbing show that has dominated Netflix in the last few weeks. We also look at strategies to be more fluent and try out a new study guide to watch and learn with Friends.

May 18, 2024

Hello, I’m Mandeep. Welcome to my Watch and Learn English substack. My aim is to teach “real-life” English using videos and topics that are in the news.

What’s on this week?

In this week’s Watch and Learn email, we have three things to help your English.

I’ll start with the video of the week, a look at a series that many people around the world are enjoying. Then, I’ll talk through a skill point that will help your English fluency. Lastly, I’ll give you a chance to try a free study guide to a full Friends episode.

Video of the week

The Netflix series Baby Reindeer has spent a lot of time in the Netflix charts and the news this week. The seven-part drama tells the disturbing and complicated relationship that starts when a man who works in a bar decides to be kind to a sad woman who can’t afford a drink. What could go wrong?!

Watch the video … and learn!

Click here to watch the video with clear, correct captions (not auto-generated), definitions for the key vocabulary, and an option to slow the video down to help you catch every word.

What did you think of the trailer? Have you seen Baby Reindeer? Let me know in the comments.

Skills Focus

This week: what do you say if you don’t know a word?

In the video there is a very particular word to describe the behaviour of the woman who will not leave the man alone. Can you remember it? It’s stalker.

A stalker is someone who follows a person closely and secretly, often sending them messages and trying to make contact with them.

It’s not a very common word! So what can you do if there is a word you need when you’re speaking - but you don’t know it?

Let me give you some strategies that sometimes even native speakers use:

Strategy 1: Use examples

If you don’t know the word ‘transport’, you could give examples such as ‘car, bus and bike’. Phrases such as “sort of” and “kind of” are helpful here.

It’s a kind of apartment on the top floor (penthouse)

He’s a sort of doctor for animals (veterinarian)

Strategy 2: Be less specific

If you don’t know a specific word, then use more general concepts that you do know. Don’t worry about being accurate with the grammar.

What is the word for ‘baby dog’? (puppy)

How do you say ‘slow running’? (jog)

Strategy 3: Describe its purpose

If you don’t know the word ‘torch’, you could say ‘It’s used to give light in the dark’. Here are some useful phrases for describing function:

It’s used for going higher and cleaning windows (ladder)

You use it when you go to hospital quickly (ambulance)

Strategy 4: Use a synonym or an antonym

If you don’t know the word ‘huge’, you could use words that mean the same thing like ’very big’. Or it may be easier to use an antonym which means opposite.

The restaurant is not expensive (cheap)

He fell in the pool and got very very wet (soaked or drenched)

Learn English with Friends

Have you tried our study guide to Friends yet?

Click here for a free look at the guide which explains all the language and culture points found in the very first episode. There are also some fun quizzes.

I’d love to know what you think and if you have any ideas of how I could make these guides better. Let me know in the comments or using the feedback form in the guide.

Watch the video … and test!

Now lets go back to our clip from Baby Reindeer. Can you remember the vocabulary that was highlighted in the captions? It’s time to test your memory.

Click here to try a crossword that tests your knowledge of the language in the video.

Say hello

Please let me know what you think of my post. Your feedback is appreciated.

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We have subscribers in 73 different countries! Please come and say hello to everybody in the comments. I’d love to know you’re watching this week.