Learn English with The Shape of Water

An other-worldly story, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962, where a mute janitor working at a lab falls in love with an amphibious man being held captive there and devises a plan to help him escape.

Why learn English with The Shape of Water?

"The Shape of Water" is a beautiful and unusual love story. It takes place in the 1960s and follows Elisa, a mute woman who works as a cleaner in a government laboratory. She discovers a mysterious creature held captive there and forms a unique bond with it. The movie explores themes of communication beyond words, as Elisa and the creature connect despite their differences. You can learn vocabulary related to science ("laboratory," "experiment," "creature"), emotions ("love," "fear," "loneliness"), and everyday life ("cleaner," "apartment," "movie"). The story also uses descriptive language to create vivid images, which will help build your vocabulary and understanding of English storytelling. The film deals with powerful emotions like love, loss, and acceptance. It also explores themes of prejudice and discrimination. The language used ranges from simple conversations to more complex dialogues, offering a good mix for learners. Pay attention to how the characters express their feelings, even without words, and notice how the tone of the language changes depending on the situation. This will help you understand the nuances of English and how to express yourself effectively. "The Shape of Water" is a great choice for English learners because it tells a captivating story with visual elements that help with understanding. The diverse cast also uses different accents and speaking styles, exposing you to a variety of English pronunciation. Since the main character uses sign language, the movie also emphasizes non-verbal communication, which can be beneficial for all learners to understand. Watching and listening to the movie will not only improve your vocabulary and comprehension but also deepen your understanding of different cultures and perspectives.

Words from The Shape of Water

Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in The Shape of Water:

reign: to be in power or to rule over an area, organization, or activity
princess: a female person who is part of a royal family, especially a daughter of the king or queen
tale: a story, usually one that is full of action and adventure or that is hard to believe
monster: (in stories) a large, ugly and frightening creature
troubled: experiencing worry, anxiety, and difficulties
sin: an act against religious or moral law
sacrifice: when you give up something that is important to you in order to help somebody else
upstairs: on or going towards a higher floor of a building
siren: a device that makes a loud warning sound
toast: slices of bread that have been made hot, dry, and brown by being put near a strong heat
cocoa: a dark brown powder made from the seeds of the cacao tree, used to make chocolate and other foods and drinks; a hot or cold drink made from this powder
tragedy: a play or event that involves death or suffering, especially one with a sad ending
delight: a feeling of great joy or pleasure
proverbial: well known, usually because it is frequently talked about or referred to in a proverb or saying
starving: very hungry or suffering from a lack of food or warmth