Are Movies the Best Way for Psychologists to Learn English?

For many of us, cinema is much more than a simple way to pass the time.

It’s an art form that challenges our beliefs, broadens our horizons and deepens our empathy- allowing us to have hundreds of new experiences from the comfort of our couch.

So, it's no wonder many therapists turn to movies to improve their English skills, thinking that the more movies they watch, the more language they’ll learn.

However, in this blog post, I'll share why watching movies might not be the ultimate way for clinical psychologists to grow their English.

Before you throw your popcorn at me, I’m not saying you should never watch movies!

I’ll explain how to maximize your learning when doing so and recommend what to watch.

There are three main reasons why cinema may not be the most efficient way for therapists to learn English:

1.        Cinema is a visual medium

Of course, watching movies can help broaden vocabulary and understanding of spoken English. But as my husband always tells me (he’s a film and media studies teacher), cinema is all about showing, not telling. That’s why emotions are often expressed through non-verbal cues, soundtrack choices, and cinematography (the angles, colour scheme, background, etc.) rather than through dialogue. Most of the time, characters don’t give speeches explaining how they’re feeling by using nuanced, complex vocabulary. So, while you could get very moved by a scene, it doesn’t mean you’ll always be picking up the specific language you need for therapy sessions.

2.        The type of language used

Most movies cater to a broad audience and use language that may not have anything to do with the specialized vocabulary needed in therapy sessions. This is not an issue for students learning general English, as they need to learn a little bit of everything. However, therapists who already have a C1 level (or more) may spend their energy learning irrelevant vocabulary while neglecting essential terms and phrases specific to their practice.

3.        Movie length and focus

Movies typically last 90 minutes to two hours, requiring continuous focus. It’s challenging to enjoy them while effectively taking note of and remembering relevant language content throughout their entire duration. It can lead to frustration or fatigue, making the learning experience less enjoyable.

 So, what are some better alternatives for mental health professionals?

In my opinion, a more efficient solution is to focus on series and podcasts centred around therapy sessions (or people describing their thoughts, emotions and feelings).

These media types are quite different from cinema, as they are not primarily visual. Instead, they mostly convey meaning through dialogue and language, which means you come into contact with many more words. As long as you make sure they’re linked to therapy, both types of content are absolute gold mines for useful language and expressions.

Podcasts and series are also much shorter than movies. This makes it easier to listen to or watch them twice, facilitating comprehension and retention. My recommendation is to listen to an episode to understand its general meaning the first time, and then more mindfully, to extract useful language the second time.

Some great series are In Treatment and Couples Therapy. As for podcasts, I’ve written a whole blog post with plenty of recommendations that you can find here.

Finally, if you do want to watch movies, how can you make the most of them?

First of all, just like podcasts and series, choose movies showing therapy sessions or conversations about emotions. Here are a few great examples.

Alternatively, you could watch emotionally charged movies, and then write a text to describe and analyse them, trying to use specific, nuanced language. Use dramas like  “The Father by Florian Zeller, or “Aftersun” by Charlotte Wells.

Secondly, don’t watch entire movies in one sitting. Focus on specific sections or scenes at a time. This targeted approach allows you to better digest useful vocabulary and expressions.

Although movies are a fantastic supplementary tool, they might not be the best way to prepare for therapy sessions in English. However, incorporating therapy-centric content, consuming shorter types of media, and focusing on one scene at a time, can be more beneficial.

It's not about giving up movies but being mindful and strategic in your learning journey.

For more tips on how to prepare to work with English-speaking clients, you can sign up for my newsletter here. Happy watching—and learning!