Recommended Dramas and Movies to Learn Various English Accents

In Japan, English education primarily focuses on American English. Perhaps due to the limited opportunities to learn English words and accents other than American English during student years, many people find it difficult to understand English speakers from countries other than the United States.

Our speaking style, in which parts of words are emphasized in pronunciation, etc., varies considerably depending on one’s country of origin… It’s the same in Japanese, isn’t it?

To be able to understand and  Learn Various English accents, you need not only to grasp accents but also to acquire knowledge about how specific words are pronounced in other countries or whether different words are used for the same meaning.

This blog will be written in English and Japanese and will highlight some fun Dramas and Movies to Learn Various English accents.

ニュージーランド英語

若いNZの人はアメリカの若い人と話し方は似てるが

よりアクセントが強いイメージ。

現住民マオリの英語はかなりクセがあり私にとっては聞き取りづらかったです…。

発音:

Ten テンではなくティーンと発音。

単語:

Kettle(湯沸かし)　　　⇨　　Billy(ビリー)と呼ぶ。

Sandals(サンダル)　　⇨　　Jandals(ジャンダルス)

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

“Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is a New Zealand adventure comedy-drama that can help you familiarize yourself with the Kiwi accent. Directed by Taika Waititi, this film showcases the unique slang, pronunciation, and cultural references specific to New Zealand.

By watching this movie, you can learn to distinguish the Kiwi accent from other English accents and gain insights into the local language and humor.

非行少年とその里親が森の中をサバイバルするストーリー。
この映画を見ると冒険にしたくなります☺︎
監督はNZ出身のTaika Waititi
すごく有名な監督/俳優/コメディアンで日本でも上映されたJojo Rabbitの監督/俳優でもあります！

オーストラリア英語

オーストラリアの人は単語を短縮またはニックネームのようにして呼ぶことが好きです。

アクセント自体はNZよりは聞き取りやすいという人が多いです。

単語:

Laptop(ノートパソコン) ⇨　Lappy(ラッピー)

Macdonald’s(マクドナルド)　 ⇨ Maccas(マカス)

Summer Heights High

“Summer Heights High” is an Australian mockumentary television series created by and starring Chris Lilley. It provides a humorous and exaggerated representation of Australian high school life, with Lilley portraying multiple characters, each with distinct speaking styles.

Watching this series can help you understand the nuances of the Australian accent, including its vowel sounds and intonation patterns, as well as the informal and colloquial expressions commonly used in Australia.

高校を舞台に不良少年やミュージカルの先生、
女子高生とオーストラリアのコメディアンが一人三役演じています！
同じ人が演じているとは思えないほどの自然な振る舞い方にびっくりすると思います。
若者の喋り方、スラングなども学べるのでおすすめです。

イギリス英語

イギリス国内だけでも、スコットランドやロンドン・ウェールズ・南部など地方によって

アクセントが大分異なります。

イギリスのユーモアは皮肉文化。

皮肉やダークヒューマーを理解したらもっといろんなイギリスドラマや映画を堪能できます。

The IT Crowd

“The IT Crowd” is a British sitcom that offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of the staff in the IT department of a fictional corporation. Set in the UK, the series features a range of British accents, primarily focusing on the Received Pronunciation (RP) and various regional accents.

By watching “The IT Crowd,” you can improve your comprehension of British English, learn new idioms and expressions, and understand the differences between formal and informal speech in the UK context.

とある会社のIT課で働く3人を中心に繰り広げられるコメディドラマ。
日本語のタイトルは「ハイっ、こちらIT課!」。
日本ではあまり有名ではないですが、一度見たら絶対ハマるはず！
メインの役のうちの1人はアイルランド出身なので違うアクセントを学ぶこともできます。

The Inbetweeners

“The Inbetweeners” is a British coming-of-age sitcom that follows the lives of four suburban teenagers. The show features a variety of British accents, particularly those from the South of England. It is rich in slang, colloquial language, and typical teenage expressions, making it an excellent resource for learning how young Brits speak in everyday situations.

Watching this series can enhance your ability to understand and mimic British English, especially the informal speech patterns and cultural references that are prevalent among younger generations.

イギリスでは誰もが知っているドラマ！4人の高校生が馬鹿やって青春謳歌するコメディドラマ。
早口かつスラングや汚い言葉もよく使っているので、
日常会話を勉強したい方にはぴったり！

インド英語

インド人の話す英語はかなり独特です。

人によってはかなりクセが強く、基本早口で話す人も多いです。

インド英語は単語綴りどおりに発音するので、慣れないと聞き取りづらいこともあります。

マダム　イン　ニューヨーク

原題は「English Vinglish」。主人公はインドで暮らす主婦。インドでは英語は準公用語ですが、
彼女は家で菓子作りをする程度で英語を話す機会が全くありません。夫にも娘にも英語を話せないことを馬鹿にされ傷ついた彼女はニューヨークで英会話教室に通うことを決心！
インド訛りの英語も学べますし、自分ももっと頑張って英語を勉強しようと勇気づけられる作品です☺︎

英語を学ぶにあたり、映画やドラマを観ることはとても効果的です。私も定番のフレンズやフルハウスなどたくさんのドラマを見て日常会話のフレーズを覚えました。私の場合はまずは日本語で動画を観て内容を把握してから、次に英語音声＋英語字幕で観るようにし、分からない単語を都度調べるようにしていました。余裕があれば最終的に字幕なしで観て、自分が理解できているか、また同じように発音できるかなど練習していました。

一番大切なことは楽しみながら学ぶことです！好奇心を持って、”この場合はどう英語で言うのだろう？”と調べてくうちに多くのことを学べます。皆さんもぜひ自分のお好きな映画やドラマを観ながら、どんどん英語をマスターしましょう！

Tips for Effectively Learning English accents through dramas and movies

While watching dramas and movies can be an enjoyable and effective way to learn various English accents, it’s important to approach the process strategically. Here are some tips to help you maximize your learning experience:

Active Listening: Pay close attention to the actors’ speech patterns, intonations, and pronunciation. Pause and rewind scenes as needed to catch the nuances of the accents.

Repetition and Mimicry: Actively repeat and mimic the lines and phrases spoken by the actors. This practice can help you develop muscle memory and improve your ability to reproduce the accents accurately.

Note-taking: Keep a notebook handy and jot down new words, expressions, or pronunciation quirks specific to the accents you’re learning.

Immersion: Surround yourself with the accents you’re learning by watching multiple dramas and movies featuring those accents. Immersion can help your ear become attuned to the unique speech patterns.

Seek Feedback: If possible, seek feedback from native speakers or language tutors on your accent imitation. This can help you identify areas for improvement and refine your skills.

Consistency: Learning accents takes time and consistent practice. Set aside dedicated time for watching and practicing regularly to reinforce your learning.

Cultural Context: Understand the cultural and historical context behind the accents you’re learning. This knowledge can provide valuable insights into the nuances and origins of the accents.

Resources and websites for finding dramas and movies to learn English accents

In today’s digital age, numerous resources and websites are available to help you find dramas and movies featuring the English accents you’re interested in learning. Here are some useful options:

Streaming Platforms: Popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu offer a vast collection of movies and TV shows from around the world, making it easier to explore various English accents.

Language Learning Websites: Many language learning platforms, such as Babbel, Duolingo, and Pimsleur, offer curated lists of movies and TV shows specifically designed to help learners practice different accents.

Movie Databases: Websites like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes can be useful for researching movies and TV shows based on their country of origin or the accents featured.

Language Learning Blogs and Podcasts: Follow language learning blogs and podcasts that provide recommendations and reviews of dramas and movies suitable for learning various English accents.

Conclusion

The most important thing is to learn while having fun! By being curious and researching “how would you say this in English?” you can learn many things. Everyone, while watching your favorite movies and dramas, let’s master English more and more! If you want to find out with TV series you should watch, read our blog English Study: How to use the Big Hit Drama ‘Friends’ for Language Learning here.