Learn While You Watch

Pulse

oi-Staff

Monday, November 16, 2009, 11:07

If you find it difficult to understand films in a foreign language and unfamiliar accent, the easiest way out is to opt for subtitles. However, if English is your second language, its advisable to opt for English subtitles as it helps to improve the new language than those in your .

Referring to subtitles in English helps to improve your ability to comprehend the unknown accent. Subtitles in one's is counter-productive in learning and understanding a foreign speech.

A study was conducted where Dutch students unfamiliar with Scottish and Australian English were shown a document with English subtitles. The students showed improvements in their ability to recognise the new accent. English subtitles during the exposure enhanced the learning effect, whereas another group of students who were given Dutch subtitles showed no improvement.

With an English subtitle a word is comprehended with its phonetic sound. This makes it easier for the students to tune into a new accent. On the other hand, the subtitles in the s do not provide lacks such teaching function.