There are many English-speaking countries (that is, countries where English is one of the official languages)—specifically, 67 countries and 27 non-sovereign entities (source: Berlitz). In addition, it is estimated that, on average, 1 billion people who use English do not come from English-speaking countries. This means there are many accents and dialects. For non-native speakers, it can be difficult to detect these differences, and they can often make it harder to understand the language.
Audiovisual productions, such as TV series and movies, are an excellent way to be exposed to all the diversity that the English language has to offer (in addition to being a fun and effective way to learn a foreign language and its cultural nuances). Here is a list of 10 movies (source: Speechling), divided into the categories “Beginner,” “Intermediate,” and “Advanced,” to help you identify and become even more familiar with the English language.
(accent: United States)
If you're just starting to learn English, it's best to begin with movies that maintain the same accent throughout; in addition, children's movies tend to use simpler, more accessible vocabulary. Pixar movies, such as "Finding Nemo," are a good choice because they feature themes that are meaningful for all ages.
Note: Even though the story takes place in Australia, the voice actors kept their American accents.
(accent: United Kingdom)
Another group of movies loved by all ages: the Harry Potter films. In addition to its high-quality production, this film series offers a chance to hear some British accents, with a greater emphasis onReceived Pronunciation(RP). RP is the English accent recognized as the “standard” and the one with the greatest “prestige” (it is the accent of the British royal family and the upper classes, for example).
It's always good to remember that these are movies with made-up magic words, so turning on the subtitles is a good idea!
(accent: South Africa)
A 2009 science fiction film in which sick and weakened aliens flee their planet and end up in Johannesburg, prompting the South African government to quarantine them in the so-called "District 9."
Although it tackles serious topics such as xenophobia,apartheid, and migration, it is an action movie with simple dialogue that serves as a useful tool for intermediate-level English learners.
(accent: United States)
A biting comedy set in Texas starring Jack Black as a funeral home director who gets involved with an 81-year-old widow and, after committing a crime, has to deal with Matthew McConaughey’s character, a law enforcement officer. And here’s more: it’s based on true events.
It's not a movie for younger audiences, but it offers a humorous look at the different accents and cultural nuances of Texas (in the southern United States).
(accent: United States)
This is a 7-episode miniseries produced by HBO that stars Kate Winslet as a detective in a small town in Pennsylvania (in the northeastern United States) who must balance investigating a complicated case with her personal life.
In addition to his highly praised performance, his portrayal of that region’s accent also received acclaim; so it’s worth watching this story as well to get to know some lesser-explored American accents.
(accents: Ireland and the United States)
An independent film for anyone interested in detective stories featuring grumpy detectives. This comedy-thriller follows an Irish police officer and his methodical new partner, an FBI agent, as they try to track down aserial killerin western Ireland.
This movie helps explore the cultural differences between the United States and Ireland, but the Irish dialect can be difficult to understand, so it’s recommended for those who are already at a more advanced level.
(accent: Canada)
A biting comedy from 2006 that will help you practice your English and French. The film explores the differences between Ontario and Quebec by having an English-speaking police officer and a French-speaking one work together on a homicide case.
Since the characters switch back and forth quickly between French and English in one of Canada's first bilingual films, this movie is recommended for advanced English learners who want an extra challenge (or who want to practice their French as well)!
(accent: New Zealand)
This 2010 comedy-drama is set in New Zealand in the 1980s and follows a boy who is finally reunited with his father, only to discover that his father (played by the film's director, Taika Waititi) has returned to retrieve a bag of money he left behind.
Although the premise is sad, it's a funny and moving movie. Because it's full of New Zealand slang, it's best suited for intermediate-to-advanced students.
(accents: Australian and Indian)
A moving film that follows the story of an Indian boy who gets separated from his family, struggles to escape extreme poverty, and is eventually adopted by an Australian family. Twenty-five years later, played by Dev Patel, he embarks on the reverse journey to find his biological family.
The first half of the film takes place in India and Bangladesh, while the second half takes place in Australia, so language plays a crucial role in the plot.
(accent: Scotland)
Considered a must-see classic, based on the book of the same name, this dark comedy from 1996 stars Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, and Jonny Lee Miller as friends who must overcome unemployment, heroin addiction, and their relationship problems in a Scotland where the drug-related death rate is the highest in Europe.
In addition to being a film that plays a key role in shedding light on Scottish life, it’s a film that introduces you to many of the region’s accents. Even if you’re at an advanced level in your English studies, we recommend turning on the subtitles, since even native speakers have trouble keeping up with the slang.
