Why Watching British Series for Language Learning Matters
If you are living in the UK or planning to arrive soon, watching British series for language learning can make a big difference in blending into UK society and understanding it better. This way, you won’t feel alienated and will find it easier to navigate your life in the UK, whether it’s academic, social, or professional.
Series give you a real insight into British values, traditions, humour, and everyday life. They also help you:
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Get familiar with different regional accents and dialects
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Improve your listening and comprehension skills
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Pick up colloquial vocabulary and phrases you’ll hear in everyday conversations
Here are 5 must-watch British series for language learning and cultural understanding:
1. Call the Midwife
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Genre: Historical Drama
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Watch it on: BBC iPlayer or Netflix
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Overview: Set in East London during the 1950s and 60s, this series follows midwives and nurses as they care for a community facing social and medical changes.
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Language and Culture Tip: “Call the Midwife” offers exposure to working-class East London accents and slang, as well as a look into post-war British society and family values. Great for learning emotional expressions and medical-related vocabulary too!
2. The Crown
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Genre: Historical Drama
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Watch it on: Netflix
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Overview: “The Crown” tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and the political and social changes of her era.
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Language and Culture Tip: Expect formal English and exposure to RP (Received Pronunciation) accent. It’s also fantastic for understanding Britain’s monarchy, traditions, and class structure.
3. Downton Abbey
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Genre: Period Drama
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Watch it on: Amazon Prime or Peacock TV
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Overview: Dive into the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their household staff during a time of huge societal change.
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Language and Culture Tip: Rich formal language and polite expressions, plus a good chance to hear the difference between upper-class and working-class speech.
4. Sherlock
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Genre: Crime, Mystery, Drama
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Watch it on: BBC iPlayer or Netflix
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Overview: A modern reimagining of Sherlock Holmes, set in contemporary London. Full of fast dialogue, clever jokes, and mystery-solving!
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Language and Culture Tip: Helps you handle fast-paced speech, London slang, sarcasm, and real-life casual conversation.
5. Peep Show
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Genre: Comedy, Sitcom
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Watch it on: Channel 4 or Amazon Prime
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Overview: Follow two dysfunctional friends through their chaotic everyday life, with lots of inner monologues and awkward situations.
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Language and Culture Tip: “Peep Show” is packed with everyday slang, casual speech, sarcasm, and dry humour, very useful for understanding informal British English.
Remember, you don’t need to do it alone! At English Therapy, we can give you a structured lesson plan and create personalised learning materials based on these British series for language learning.
You’ll practice with a UK-based teacher who can:
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Save you time and effort
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Help you truly understand vocabulary and expressions in context
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Share cultural insights and tips about real British life
Find all this in our English for Life course, created to prepare you for academic, professional, and everyday success in the UK.