How I Learned to Speak English: Manga, Movies & Music

To Become Able to Speak English: Helpful English Study Methods

Hello. This is Suzuki from Eco Drive.

Although I was originally weak at English, I’ve studied it using various methods after moving to America.

Now I’ve quit my corporate job and started a business in America, and I can live here without any difficulties.

This time, I’d like to explain the English learning methods I actually used after coming to America.

Here’s the previous article:

How to Learn English with Phrases: Lessons from 20 Years in the U.S.

Check out the video version here!

The videos embedded in this article are narrated in Japanese, but English subtitles are available.

Studying English Using Dragon Ball!?

My basic approach to English was to increase my phrases as much as possible.

In particular, learning using manga was helpful.

What I often used was the English version of “Dragon Ball,” which I was familiar with from childhood.

This manga has many simple and concise phrases, and since I already knew the content, it had the advantage of being fun to learn while reading.

Also, Japanese manga is extremely popular in America, and many works have been translated into English, so there are plenty of options.

By reading English manga, you can not only learn natural expressions and phrases useful in daily conversation, but also deepen your cultural understanding.

This method is especially recommended for those who want to learn English enjoyably.

For people like me who want to memorize specific phrases and expressions, manga should be an excellent learning tool.

Movies Can Also Be Used for English Learning

When watching movies, I make it a point to use English subtitles.

This applies not only to Western movies but also to Japanese films and dramas.

By watching movies and dramas with English subtitles, you can learn natural English expressions appropriate for various daily scenes and situations.

For example, when I see phrases used in specific scenes, I often realize, “Oh, this expression is used in this kind of situation.”

This helps me understand how these phrases actually function in real conversations.

Also, I record phrases I want to remember in a notebook I always carry with me, establishing them as part of my repertoire.

This method is effective for making learned expressions usable in real life.

It’s a wonderful way to improve your language skills while having fun, so please give it a try.

Western Music Lyrics Also Help in Memorizing Phrases

Next, I’d like to talk about utilizing Western music.

Living in America, Western music naturally reaches your ears, and you find more songs you like.

However, I think many people enjoy the melody but rarely delve deeply into the lyrics.

In my case, when listening to Western music, I consciously analyze the lyrics.

I write out the lyrics of songs I’ve come to like and properly translate their meanings.

This deepens my understanding of “Oh, this expression is used with this meaning.”

Not Just Understanding Lyrics, But Actually Singing Becomes Speaking Practice

When I sing those songs, I sing while imagining the lyrics and understanding their meaning.

This becomes practice not just for listening but for actively using English as a language.

This method of memorizing phrases while listening to Western music is effective not only for improving English listening skills but also for improving pronunciation.

Learning English through Western music is a highly recommended study method because you can naturally develop a sense for the language while having fun.

Everyone, please try learning and practicing English phrases with your favorite Western music.

By Making It Daily Enjoyment, You Can Continue Learning

When I first started learning English, what I valued most was turning learning into daily enjoyment.

This is because learning methods that feel painful don’t last long. Humans tend to continue doing things they find enjoyable.

I don’t know if this approach was successful, but after five years of learning, I was able to deepen exchanges with people who don’t speak Japanese.

This was a major success experience for me, and I feel it’s proof that the method of learning while having fun worked well.

I recommend that you all try to find ways to enjoy English in your daily life.

On the Other Hand, Some Things Didn’t Help with English Learning…

Among the things I tried in my English learning journey, what was particularly unhelpful was using thick reference books and vocabulary books.

These look very helpful at first glance, but their thickness actually had the opposite effect.

I would give up on thick reference books after about the first 20 pages, and I often got bored with vocabulary books halfway through.

With these methods, learning doesn’t continue, and you lose motivation.

Phrase Memorization Also Helped in Learning Vocabulary

Instead, what was effective was learning centered on phrases.

By memorizing phrases, you naturally remember the words contained within them.

Since you can understand how words are actually used, phrase-centered learning is very effective.

What I can say from this experience is that the more closely the learning content relates to daily life, the more enjoyable and sustainable learning becomes.

In other words, I feel it’s important to learn English that can be directly used in daily life in a practical form.

Twenty Years Ago, We Sometimes Used Dictionaries, But…

Twenty years ago, the internet wasn’t as widespread as it is now, and we relied on physical dictionaries.

At that time, it was common to buy thick dictionaries and keep them at home, but honestly, they weren’t very effective.

Like thick reference books and vocabulary books, I felt these thick dictionaries weren’t effective for learning either.

They quickly become difficult to use and hard to continue with.

What’s Important in English Learning Is Practicing While Having Fun

That’s why I adopted the phrase-centered learning methods I’ve shared today.

By reading English versions of familiar manga, watching movies with English subtitles, and listening to Western music while being conscious of the lyrics, I was able to naturally memorize phrases I could actually use.

These methods make it easier to continue learning because you can learn while having fun.

I think it’s very important for English learning to devise ways to enjoy memorizing phrases.

Bonus: Overcoming the Embarrassment of “Speaking English”

In overseas life, you often face language barriers, and I think people who aren’t native English speakers particularly feel embarrassed about speaking English.

However, living in America, you realize that being able to “communicate your intentions” is more important than speaking perfect English.

In America, various accents exist and are accepted as part of the culture.

The key to effective communication is stating your conclusion first, utilizing gestures, and speaking with confidence in a loud voice.

Through these experiences, embarrassment about language fades, and confidence in speaking English grows.