Effective English learning at home – inspiration from Scandinavia

Effective English learning? See who’s leading the way in Europe!

Is effective English learning at home possible? Having lived in London for over 20 years, I’ve met people from all over the world. I particularly remember conversations with residents of Scandinavian countries – Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. I was always impressed by how well they spoke English. Their fluency, clear pronunciation, and confidence were truly remarkable.

Out of curiosity, I looked up the EF English Proficiency Index reportEF EPI), which compares English proficiency among adults worldwide. The latest data from 2024 show that Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are among the top ten.

Learning English at home – how do they do it?

The question arises: how do they do it? I won’t go into the grammatical similarities between the Scandinavian languages and English. Instead, I’ll focus on what’s within our reach – our everyday choices. One of the key factors behind the excellent English proficiency in Scandinavia is the way they use media. In countries like Denmark and Sweden, foreign films and programmes are broadcast in their original language with subtitles in the native language, which positively contributes to language fluency. Dubbing is rare. What’s more, a study by the European Commission (Foreign Language Acquisition: The Role of Subtitling) from 2011 showed that subtitles 'help with mastering foreign languages' and 'create an environment that fosters multilingualism'. So, learning English at home works!

How can this be put into practice?

If you're already paying for Netflix or another streaming platform, why not combine pleasure with practicality? Watch your favourite shows, series, and films in English with Polish subtitles. It could be your first step towards better language skills. And if you’d like to take it a step further – switch to English subtitles. For many people, written language is easier to understand than spoken language. A word of caution: I’d recommend looking for shows or films with so-called standard pronunciation, as it's easier to follow. If you choose something where people speak in slang or use a lot of abbreviations – like in crime dramas – and you can only catch one word in ten, it might put you off learning altogether.

You don’t have to watch an entire film in a foreign language straight away – 10 to 20 minutes a day is enough. The key to success? Effective language learning at home relies on consistency. It’s better to study a little every day than to cram for several hours once a week.

Why is it effective?

Using subtitles in films is very effective for language learning because it strengthens listening comprehension by helping you associate sounds with the spelling and meaning of words. This way, you become familiar with the variety of pronunciation, speaking pace, and intonation that you’ll encounter in real-life situations – in films, conversations with foreigners, or while travelling. It makes it easier for you to understand English, no matter who is speaking or where they’re from.

Subtitles also help expand your vocabulary by presenting new expressions in context, making them easier to remember and use correctly. Additionally, observing pronunciation and intonation helps you imitate a natural accent and the rhythm of the language. Because we learn through both hearing and sight, more senses are engaged, which supports better retention. What’s more, subtitles allow you to learn at your own pace – you can pause the film or rewind a scene to better understand a particular part. All of this makes using subtitles an excellent tool for effective language learning.

To conclude

If you dream of speaking English fluently and confidently, start with simple steps. Effective English learning at home can begin today – with just one episode of a series in English. Who knows, in a year’s time someone might ask you, “Where did you learn to speak English so well?

A complete plan for you

Watch films/series in English with subtitles
Start with Polish subtitles, then switch to English ones
Choose materials with clear, simple pronunciation
Study regularly – even just 10 to 15 minutes
Write down interesting phrases – especially those that appear frequently
Learn vocabulary in context
Start today – no pressure, at your own pace