The 9 Best Series to Learn and Practice English

If you're in a hurry, don't worry, here's the answer. These are the best series for learning English.

There's no specific order; it depends on what you need.

• Friends
• Narcos
• Downton Abbey
• Breaking Bad
• Modern Family
• Sherlok 
• The Crown 
• Peppa Pig 
• House of Cards

Learning English doesn’t have to be boring — in fact, many studies show that learning through enjoyable activities leads to better results.

The challenge is that after a long day at work, we often just want to relax and be entertained without putting in too much mental effort.

That’s why it can be difficult to switch the series we’re watching to its original language. However, it’s absolutely worth doing — because with time and consistency, you’ll start to see real progress.

Of course, it’s important to remember that this shouldn’t be your only learning method. The best approach is to use it as a complement to a structured course — one that teaches grammar, pronunciation, reading, and listening all together.

Papora is an excellent option for this, offering self-guided lessons and unlimited live classes with teachers from around the world.

Keys to improve your English with a series

Watching series in English can be more fun than studying, making it an excellent tool for learning English.

But at first, it requires the effort of adapting to a different language, and the best part is that the process of watching series to learn English is now much easier thanks to streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO.

The good news is that, once you've put in a bit of effort, you'll start to notice that you're following the plot quite well and that you don't need to constantly read the subtitles to understand the series.

While it would be ideal to watch the TV series with the original English audio and English subtitles to force yourself to immerse yourself in the language, if you're still not comfortable, you can always start with Spanish subtitles.

There are key aspects you should keep in mind so that you don't sacrifice anything and ensure that you progress in your English level.

We advise you to focus on the following two steps:

Step 1: Use a method to learn English with the series

While watching the series in its original language and listening to the characters is already a great advantage, it can't be the only thing you do to learn English.

You need to establish a method so you can remember the content you learn in each episode.

Each person should determine their own system depending on their needs, but what works best for most is:

• Grab a pen, a blank notebook, or even your cell phone's notepad and write down any unfamiliar words and new vocabulary you've learned.
• If your English level is basic and you're still struggling to follow along, the series threads use Spanish subtitles. This will help you reinforce the words in both languages.
• Utilize a Spanish-English dictionary or a translator; they'll be your best friends, not only for understanding the meaning of words in Spanish, but also for defining words.
• Don't look up five words every five minutes, because although it's difficult at first, you should begin to understand them through context and association.
• Rewatch series you've already seen with Spanish subtitles, but now with the audio and original text in English. This will greatly improve your reading skills.

Step 2: Review the English words in your notebook

It's no use simply applying the tips we gave you in the previous step if you don't take the time to practice. Remember, practice makes perfect.

To check and reinforce your learning with series, the best way to do this is:

• Set aside a time each day to watch your TV series in English. It could be at night before bed, or during a break in the afternoon, but it's important to make time in your schedule for this activity.
• Add a few minutes to your daily routine to review everything you've written and learned.
• Use the flash card method to write and practice new words or facts you've learned from TV series.

The best platforms to watch series to learn English

Free-to-air television currently has the option to switch to the original version via the remote.

But if you want to be able to choose what you like best, and you'd also prefer to skip the ads and watch episodes online whenever you want, it's best to use a streaming platform.

There are many interesting options these days, and if you're wondering which apps to use to learn English or which are the best platforms, here are a few:

• Netflix, HBO, and similar platforms: Although they're paid, they offer enormous variety and quality. They allow for many languages ​​and several subtitle options for English-language series.
• Ororo: They only allow a limited amount of time per day and a limited variety, but they're free, offer high-quality viewing, and allow you to add subtitles in English or Spanish.
• YouTube: Some series have individual episodes on YouTube, or even full series, in many languages. The subtitles aren't very good, and the ads can be annoying, but they're free.

Get the English learning platform you feel most comfortable with and get the most out of it.

The 8 Best Series to Learn English

When applying this entertainment and study method to learn English, you should choose the television series that suits you.

Whether the episodes and seasons suit your time, or whether you prefer science fiction plots, comedies, romance stories, or British accents, you should choose a series that suits your English level. The characters' oral expressions should help you understand the context and teach you new things.

That's why we've compiled a list of the characteristics of 8 different series so you can choose the one you like best.

1. Friends

• English Level: Basic

You've probably come across the iconic comedy series about six friends living in New York at some point, and you've probably heard a few tips recommending it as the best show for learning English.

The truth is, Friends is really useful for this purpose: all the characters have good pronunciation, lighthearted humor, and short stories.

It's perfect for learning simple vocabulary like parts of a house, professions, and cafes, and for learning all kinds of native expressions.

It has 236 episodes and 10 seasons, but don't worry about the time.

Each episode, which tells the characters' life adventures, usually lasts approximately 22 minutes. It's one of those shows you can watch while eating or before bed.

Along the same lines, you can find titles like The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Malcolm in the Middle, and many others.

However, Friends is generally the most recommended for beginners and one of the best series for learning English.

2. Narcos

• English Level: Basic

In Narcos, you'll hear both Spanish and English. This Netflix series tells the story of the fight against drug trafficking in Colombia and is the best way to start.

The mix of the two languages ​​spoken by both native and Spanish-speaking characters will make you feel much more familiar with the accents and words you hear.

The vocabulary you'll learn in this series is quite varied, and thanks to the plots presented in the show, you'll also encounter crime words.

It has a total of 30 episodes and 3 seasons, with episodes lasting around 50 minutes.

Likewise, if that’s not your style, there’s a wide selection of English-language series featuring Hispanic actors available on streaming platforms.

3. Downton Abbey

• English level: intermediate - advanced

This British series offers a different perspective on the language than the other series we've mentioned.

Set in a period setting, this series is an excellent choice if you have an intermediate level of English and are a fan of dramas.

Each character is very well-written, and something that will surely captivate you when learning English on your own is the contrast in vocabulary between the nobility and the servants.

Similarly, the vocabulary you'll learn by following the lives of characters like Violet (played by Dame Maggie Smith) may be outdated, but it will greatly contribute to your vocabulary.

In addition, everyone in the cast has excellent diction.

It has 52 episodes with a runtime of one hour and six seasons.

4. Breaking Bad

• English level: Intermediate - advanced

With an American accent, he has a very varied vocabulary, especially since his dialogues mostly use street language and sentences spoken by native speakers in their everyday lives.

The content of this Netflix series is undoubtedly for adults, as it focuses on the world of Walter White and how he delves into the drug trafficking business.

One of the attractions of this series when learning English is that we see Latin American characters who speak both Spanish and English.

It has 5 seasons, 62 episodes that last approximately 43 to 58 minutes each.

5.  Modern Family

• English level: Basic

This series is a classic, straightforward comedy and is perfect for all Hispanics who want to begin understanding English and learning new vocabulary. It's one of the best series for learning English.

In the series' world, we have Gloria and the references she makes to Colombian and Latin culture, how she speaks both languages, and how her pronunciation isn't hindered by her accent.

This is great if we want to learn English through series that make us feel comfortable at the beginning and make listening easier.

And at the same time, within the program, we have native English speakers telling their stories and giving life advice.

It's an excellent contrast and something very valuable when using this technique.

With 200 20-minute episodes and 11 seasons, it's perfect for watching and practicing when we have a little break and want to watch TV.

6. Sherlok 

• English level: basic - intermediate

The adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic, starring British actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, is an amazing choice for people interested in learning the British accent.

The detective storyline, which keeps you entertained throughout, and the actors' impressive diction make it one of the best series for learning the language. Plus, its vocabulary is interesting and useful.

You'll feel like you're embarking on a different journey in each episode thanks to the well-crafted narrative, the cases these detectives investigate, and the intrigues that unfold throughout the series.

You can get it on Netflix; it has four seasons, and each episode lasts at least 40 minutes.

7. The Crown

• English level: Advanced

The Crown shows us the history, world, and culture of British royalty. Specifically, it focuses on the accession to the throne, the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, and her personal life.

The series can be watched online on Netflix and is not something to be taken lightly. It features exquisite pronunciation, which may be difficult at first, but is perfect for honing your listening skills in British diction.

Additionally, the series features outstanding performances and a script that masterfully blends fiction with real-life elements.

The vocabulary you’ll pick up from it is rich, historical, formal, and sophisticated — a valuable addition to your language skills.

It’s also highly engaging to follow, as its storyline will likely evolve beyond mere anecdotes and begin to intersect with real-world events.

The series consists of 40 episodes, each lasting 47 to 61 minutes, spread across 4 seasons.

8. Peppa Pig 

• English level: Very basic

Believe it or not, the best series for learning English are those that children watch.

Their language is very simple, their diction is usually perfect, and their topics are very trivial, so the vocabulary covers all the basics you need.

Our tips consider Peppa Pig to be one of the best options for learning English and any other language; it's just a matter of changing the language.

All of its episodes are very short and tell the stories of the trips and adventures experienced by this little pig, her family, and friends.

Based on this, you should imagine that Peppa Pig isn't the only thing you have to watch. It's a great option, but not the only one.

So, you can rely on your favorite show from when you were a kid or movies from Disney, DreamWorks, or your favorite network.

9. House of Cards 

• English level: Advanced

If you're interested in politically charged television series, this is what you need. Plus, their vocabulary is perfect for learning new things in the language at a professional level.

These television series not only provide interesting facts but also keep you entertained and help you strengthen your grammar and listening skills.

They're recommended for an advanced level because the characters may speak very quickly or not have the best diction.

However, being able to practice with these types of series is crucial for being able to speak with native speakers without any problems in the future.

The seasons take place in various parts of the US, such as New York.

There are 73 episodes of approximately one hour and six seasons. Series this long should be watched slowly and attentively.

Choose TV Shows That Fit Your Goals

If you're looking for a way to learn English quickly for your job and you're a lawyer, you'll probably be interested in watching a series like Suits or other classics like Boston Legal or Ally McBeal.

On the other hand, if you're planning to go to England in the summer and want to build a solid foundation for your trip, it's a good idea to watch a comedy with everyday conversations like the ones you'll want to have.

Remember that mastering British English is different from learning American English—and Australian English, among many others—so depending on whether you want to learn English to speak to American clients or to pass a Cambridge exam, you'll need to choose the accent that best suits you.

Is learning with TV shows only useful for vocabulary?

Learning with TV shows is like taking different journeys through stories, characters, cultures, and accents to learn from. So no, it's not just for learning new words.

In fact, actress Mila Kunis has commented on several occasions that she learned to speak English through TV shows.

In other words, this resource helps you reinforce and follow the guidelines needed in any language: listening and comprehension, pronunciation, reading (if you use English subtitles), and grammar.

Remember, there's a series for everyone; just find the one that suits you best.

If you like Game of Thrones but are still too basic to watch it entirely in English, look for science fiction series that follow a similar theme.

If you love the New York life of Sex and the City but are too advanced for it, look for one with a similar theme, but one that allows you to learn something new.

Also, once you start watching series and see how beneficial it is, it's going to fill up a lot of your time.

Challenge yourself to learn about the diverse accents and cultures that each series' world creates, and have fun; that's the best way to learn.

Frequently asked questions about series to learn English