trying to improve my english with books and films:I need your suggestions

Question

Hi guys, teachers and english speakers,
I'm an italian boy trying to improve my english skills. I've studied it for 8 years at school (maybe more!) and now I think I have to work hard on vocabulary and listening so I think I should do it by watching films and reading books in english language.
I'm here to ask for your suggestions I need books and films of simple-medium difficulty (I don't mind what they deal with, for the moment)...
Recently I've read a lot of novels written by Lovecraft, and in the past I've read someting of Poe. I also usually read articles on the net dealing with marketing and web promotion...about the films I've seen "The Terminal" in english without problems....

hope you can help me,
Leonardo

YoHf · Accepted Answer

Hi Leonardo, I'm from Italy too, but, since we're posting on EnglishForward, I'm answering you in English...

Some of the best ways to improve one's skills are:

- books

- listening to the radio [you can search for BBC Radio simply using Google]

- chat

I don't find films to be very helpful, 'cause most of the times they show things that are unlikely to really happen...

Leon83 · Answer

I'm here to learn english so I don't want you to write in italian

I think films could be good to improve my listening skills....and I need it, maybe I could use radio too

But can someone suggest me some titles? Films and books...

YoHf · Answer

What about "Harry Potter"? <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' alt='Emotion: big smile'/>

Leon83 · Answer

I don't really love him....another one?

Beatsteak · Answer

what about "Married with Children"?

what's wrong having fun while learning english?

YoHf · Answer

Eheh... I suppose you're right... <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' alt='Emotion: big smile'/>

SpongeBarb · Answer

Hi, YoHf,

You said: "I don't find films to be very helpful, 'cause most of the times they show things that are unlikely to really happen..."

I have a different opinion. I think you don't learn a lot English from action movies- what happened there mostly don't happen in real life, you learn nothing but swearing. On the other hand, in drama or comedy you would pick up many phrases very handy for daily use, because comedy, drama and romance deal with real life situations and real life relationships.

Personally I love to watch romantic comedies- chick flick, so to speak, and I tell you even in the most lame, corny, lousy romance film I picked up phrases super useful. Don't get me wrong- I'm not trying to persuade you going for chick flicks, I know many guys find them very boring and are a waste of time. You can learn English other ways. But I have to say, for me and many others, movie is a fun and very effective tool in learning English.

Nice to meet you!

YoHf · Answer

SpongeBarbHi, YoHf,

You said: "I don't find films to be very helpful, 'cause most of the times they show things that are unlikely to really happen..."

I have a different opinion. I think you don't learn a lot English from action movies- what happened there mostly don't happen in real life, you learn nothing but swearing. On the other hand, in drama or comedy you would pick up many phrases very handy for daily use, because comedy, drama and romance deal with real life situations and real life relationships.

Personally I love to watch romantic comedies- chick flick, so to speak, and I tell you even in the most lame, corny, lousy romance film I picked up phrases super useful. Don't get me wrong- I'm not trying to persuade you going for chick flicks, I know many guys find them very boring and are a waste of time. You can learn English other ways. But I have to say, for me and many others, movie is a fun and very effective tool in learning English.

Nice to meet you!

That's quite right...

The Sweet Desert · Answer

Hi Leon, I think it's great that you've been studying English for almost eight years and so all you need to do is to practise and make use of the language you've learnt. Now, when you go to the bookstore , try to notice the level of the book, for example, here in the Kingdom the English books are divided into levels like primary, intermediate and advanced. You'd certainly find the same in Italy

so try to read the advanced level books, if it was so much hard, then, move to the previous one. And about watcing movies, I know many of my cousins who speak very fluently for thay are actually addicted to movies

. I think that you'd never face any problem watcing them because the language is always that of every day.

p.s. Wish you the best of luck

Leon83 · Answer

I've just seen "Super size me" in the original language and I found it quite easy...I think I've understood almost everything...can you suggest me other titles of "similar difficulty"?

Thanks,
Leo

trying to improve my english with books and films:I need your suggestions

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