How to Prepare for English Exams (IELTS, TOEFL, CEA) with Movies and TV Shows

When I was a teenager, I loved movies but didn’t have access to English-speaking friends or teachers outside school. My dream was to understand films in their original version — no dubbing, no subtitles. But when I pressed “play,” all I heard was a blur of fast words.

At the same time, I needed English for something very real: exams. Like many students, I faced IELTS and later TOEFL to open doors for study and travel abroad. The textbooks I bought felt heavy and dry. Every evening, I sat at my desk staring at grammar rules, but my motivation was disappearing.

Then one evening I decided to combine what I loved with what I needed. I put on the sitcom Friends with English subtitles. At first, I barely caught anything. But slowly, episode by episode, I started hearing familiar words. I laughed with Joey, I admired Monica’s perfectionism, I even repeated Chandler’s jokes out loud. Without noticing, I was training my listening, pronunciation, and even timing my speech like the characters.

When the exam day came, I realized something important: the listening section felt almost easy. The accents and speed were no longer intimidating — I had already been training my ear with hundreds of hours of movies. In the speaking section, I even surprised myself: I naturally used phrases I had picked up from shows, and the examiner smiled.

That experience taught me two things:

1️⃣ Exams are not only about memorization; they are about real communication.

2️⃣ Movies and TV shows are not just entertainment; they are a living classroom.

Years later, I built my teaching system around this discovery. I know from my own journey that when you connect preparation with joy — when English comes through stories, emotions, and characters — exam success follows naturally.

How to Prepare for English Exams (IELTS, TOEFL, CEA) with Movies and TV Shows

Preparing for international English exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge CEA often brings to mind thick grammar books, hours of memorization, and endless test simulations. While these are important, many learners burn out quickly if they rely only on traditional methods.

But there is another way. A way that is enjoyable, immersive, and surprisingly effective: learning with movies and TV shows.

This method doesn’t just make preparation fun — it mirrors the skills you’ll need on exam day: listening to authentic English, expressing yourself naturally, and thinking in the language.

Why Movies and TV Shows Help with Exam Prep

1. Authentic language: Unlike textbook dialogues, films and series use real speech patterns, idioms, and pronunciation.
2. Context-based learning: You remember words better when they are connected to characters, emotions, and situations.
3. Listening practice for exams: The IELTS and TOEFL listening sections include different accents and fast-paced speech — just like in movies.
4. Speaking improvement: By shadowing dialogues, you train pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.
5. Cultural knowledge: Many exam writing or speaking tasks involve cultural references; films expose you to these naturally.

How to Use Movies and Series for Each Exam Skill

1. Listening

1. Watch with English subtitles first, then rewatch without.
2. Choose films with clear dialogue (e.g., The King’s Speech for formal speech, Friends for everyday English).
3. Take notes while watching — train yourself to catch keywords, just like in the listening exam.
4. Pause and predict: what will the character say next? This sharpens focus.

2. Speaking

1. Practice “shadowing”: repeat dialogues immediately after the actor, copying tone and rhythm.
2. Pick a character you like and “borrow” their style of speaking.
3. Record yourself summarizing an episode — this mirrors IELTS Part 2 or TOEFL speaking prompts.
4. Act out short scenes with a partner or teacher.

3. Reading

1. Use subtitles as mini-reading texts. Highlight new vocabulary.
2. Stop at key sentences and ask: how would I paraphrase this? (a crucial exam skill).
3. For advanced learners, read film or episode transcripts online — they are structured like exam passages.

4. Writing

1. After watching, write a film review, a character analysis, or a summary.
2. Compare your text with professional reviews from IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes.
3. Use exam timing: for IELTS Writing Task 2, try writing a short opinion essay on a topic raised in the film (e.g., “Do superheroes influence society positively or negatively?”).

Choosing the Right Movies and TV Shows

1. For beginners: sitcoms (Friends, Modern Family) — short, repetitive dialogues.
2. For intermediate learners: dramas (The Good Wife, Suits) — rich vocabulary for professional English.
3. For advanced learners: historical/political series (The Crown, House of Cards) — complex structures and academic vocabulary.

Pro tip: Select shows that match your exam goals. For IELTS General, focus on everyday conversations. For TOEFL or CEA, focus on academic or formal registers.

Practical Study Plan: From Screen to Exam Success

1️⃣ Pick one film or series episode per week.

2️⃣ Watch once with subtitles, once without.

3️⃣ Collect 10–15 new words or phrases in a notebook.

4️⃣ Practice shadowing at least 5 minutes daily.

5️⃣ Once a week, write a short essay based on what you watched.

6️⃣ Review your notes before a mock test.

With this cycle, movies become your personal exam coach.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Passive watching: Don’t just binge — interact with the material.
2. Too many new words: Focus on quality, not quantity.
3. Ignoring accents: Exams include British, American, Australian, and mixed accents — vary your sources.
4. No practice output: Balance input (watching) with output (speaking/writing).

Final Thoughts

Preparing for IELTS, TOEFL, or CEA doesn’t have to mean boredom and stress. Movies and TV shows let you practice exam skills in a natural, engaging way. You’ll laugh, cry, and live the stories — and at the same time, you’ll train your ear, expand your vocabulary, and develop the fluency you need.

So, next time you sit down for Netflix or HBO, remember: you’re not just relaxing. You’re getting one step closer to your dream score.

Ready to Try This Method Yourself?

When I discovered that movies could transform my English, it changed everything — not only for passing exams, but for enjoying the language every single day. That’s why I now teach with films and series: they make preparation for IELTS, TOEFL, or CEA less stressful and much more effective.

I’ve already created a list of carefully selected movies and TV shows that match the most common exam topics:

1. Education
2. Environment
3. Technology
4. Health
5. Travel & Culture

We’ll use them to practice vocabulary, listening, and speaking, and I’ll show you how to turn each scene into real exam practice.

For the best results, I also recommend combining our lessons with a certified exam-preparation course at an official testing center.

If you’re ready to learn with me, book your free trial lesson here: englishwithmovies.com — just click the “Book a free trial” button on the homepage.

Let’s make exam preparation as exciting as your favorite movie night!