From Squid Games to Star Wars
In this post, we look at a new show based on the world of Star Wars and try out a new study guide to watch and learn with Friends.
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 four things to help your English.
Video of the week. A look at the trailer for The Acolyte. A series that many people around the world are enjoying right now.
Skills focus. We hear how the main character, Korean superstar, Lee Jung-Jae went from speaking no English to giving a brilliant performance in the language.
Learn with Friends. You have the chance to try a free study guide to a full Friends episode.
Vocabulary test. A crossword to help you remember the vocabulary from this week’s video.
Let’s go!
1. Video of the week - The Acolyte
In this week’s video, we watch a clip from a brand new show on Disney+ that’s part of the Star Wars franchise. The Acolyte stars Lee Jung-Jae, a hugely successful actor who you may recognise from his role in Squid Games, the TV show that captivated audiences worldwide in late 2021.
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 The Acolyte? Let me know in the comments.
2. Skills Focus
This week: how can you star on English TV if you don’t speak English?
Lee Jung-Jae didn’t really speak English before he won his role on The Acolyte.
The Squid Games actor, whose first language is Korean, explained in a recent interview for The Radio Times, a British magazine, just how much work he had to do to prepare for his role as Jedi Master Sol in the Star Wars series.
Learning English was definitely a huge challenge in preparing for this role, However, I had two incredible dialogue coaches that were helping me along the way, and we spent so much time together, and down to the small details they were really teaching me how to speak - and because they had such great personalities as well, we were always joking around and laughing on set, so it still remains a really great memory for me.
So how exactly did Lee Jung-Jae go from having zero English to being the lead character in a Disney production of Star Wars? Well, he worked very, very hard for four months!
As I continued to correct my pronunciation, read in pauses, and flow (with coaches), both sides of my tongue were worn out, so I had a hard time eating. Even if I was sleeping, I had to mutter when I opened my eyes.
Maybe you’re thinking it’s easy for a superstar with multiple teachers to succeed, but what can I do?!
The first action you can take is to have a clear goal. Lee Jung-Jae didn’t decide to be fluent in a few months. That’s not possible. He focused on saying his lines in a way that sounded authentic and true to his character. So remember to be specific about what you want to do in English. Not just ‘I want to be fluent/advanced’ but something concrete like ‘pass IELTS grade 7’ or ‘chat to my girlfriend’s family in English’. Then you plan your study to reach that goal.
The second action you can take is to practise, practise, practise. If you need to improve your speaking, then speak! Find a language exchange or an app that corrects you when you talk. If you need to pass an exam, then do as many past papers as possible under timed conditions, especially the sections that you find hardest! If you need to give a presentation at work, say it in the mirror or to a friend until you can do it without reading your notes!
3. 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.
4. Watch the video … and test!
Now let’s go back to our clip from The Acolyte. 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.
Loved it | Great | OK | Meh | Bad
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.
Mashullah good