The 10 best series to learn English in a fun and effective way

If you enjoy watching your favorite series, you can turn those leisure moments into an opportunity to improve your language skills. Learning English through TV series is not only entertaining, but it also helps you familiarize yourself with the language in a natural way. Watching characters speak in real-life situations and using subtitles can improve your pronunciation, vocabulary, and comprehension. The best way to learn is by watching a series in English with English subtitles so you can better understand and memorize how words are spelled.

Additionally, you immerse yourself in English-speaking cultures while having fun. Let's discover the best series to learn English in a fun and effective way!

1. Friends

IMDb RATING: 8.9/10

The legendary series Friends has been fun and iconic for many generations, but it's also ideal for learning everyday English. This comedy covers everyday situations with accessible vocabulary, perfect for beginners or intermediate levels. Watching the conversations between the characters, you'll learn common expressions, idiomatic phrases, and natural pronunciations. Plus, the short episodes and entertaining plot keep you engaged, making continuous learning easier. The repetition of jokes and recurring phrases also helps reinforce vocabulary.

2. How I Met Your Mother

IMDb RATING: 8.3/10

This series will make you laugh while expanding your vocabulary. Known for its colloquial language and humor, How I Met Your Mother is great for those wanting to speak English like a native. The fast-paced dialogues and jokes challenge your listening comprehension and improve your ability to follow rapid conversations. It's an excellent choice for learning casual English and idioms used in daily conversations among friends.

3. The Big Bang Theory

IMDb RATING: 8.1/10

The Big Bang Theory is perfect for learning English while enjoying discussions of science and technology. The characters use formal English when discussing technical topics, but the show also includes humor and everyday language. 

This series is ideal for learners at a B1 level or higher who want to expand their vocabulary with scientific terms. The funny characters make learning new words easy and enjoyable. And don’t worry if you don’t understand everything Sheldon says — his friends, who are native English speakers, often don’t either!

4. Game of Thrones

IMDb RATING: 9.2/10

If you're looking for a challenge, Game of Thrones is ideal. The complex dialogues and formal language will help you learn more advanced English. The series is also useful for getting accustomed to hearing different accents, as the characters come from various fictional "regions," mimicking the variety of real-world accents. The formal style and literary elements make it an excellent resource for those who want to improve their comprehension of dramatic conversations and narrative speech.

5. Stranger Things

IMDb RATING: 8.7/10

For those who prefer modern and simple language, Stranger Things is a great option. Centered around young characters, the dialogues include youthful expressions and accessible vocabulary. This makes it one of the best series for intermediate-level learners. It’s an excellent choice for improving your understanding of informal conversations in American English and learning the slang used by teenagers.

6. The Office

IMDb RATING: 9.0/10

This series is perfect for learning workplace English and familiarizing yourself with business-related vocabulary. The characters use colloquial expressions and specific terminology related to work, so The Office helps you get comfortable with the kind of English spoken in a professional environment. The absurd situations and sarcasm make learning fun and memorable, especially for those interested in learning a language related to the office.

7. Breaking Bad

IMDb RATING: 9.5/10

With its frequent use of slang and informal language, Breaking Bad is perfect for learning a more colloquial and authentic form of English. The series deals with extreme situations, making it an excellent source for learning diverse and sometimes uncommon vocabulary. It’s ideal for understanding how slang is used in real life and how different characters express themselves depending on their backgrounds.

8. Sherlock

IMDb RATING: 9.1/10

If you want to improve your British English comprehension, Sherlock is an excellent choice. Set in London, the series offers sophisticated dialogues and clear pronunciation, making it an ideal resource for learning British expressions. Thanks to its detective-themed content, it also helps expand your vocabulary related to mystery and criminology.

9. Modern Family

IMDb RATING: 8.5/10

Modern Family is useful for learning how different accents and English dialects are spoken in a multicultural family setting. The series is ideal for learning everyday vocabulary and family-related terms while observing how words are used in authentic contexts. The dynamic interactions between the characters make learning engaging, with each episode offering new and exciting scenarios.

10. Black Mirror

IMDb RATING: 8.7/10

With its focus on technology and contemporary issues, Black Mirror is excellent for learning current vocabulary related to social and ethical debates. The series is ideal for those who want to improve their English comprehension when discussing complex topics. Each episode presents a different dilemma, making it helpful in practicing discussions about technology, ethics, and society.

To maximize learning with TV series, try pausing and taking notes on new words or phrases you encounter. Use a dictionary to look up unknown terms and review the vocabulary regularly. And remember that you can do the same much more easily within the EWA app, learning with clips from series and movies.