Learn english with American History X

Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for killing two African-American men. Through his brother, Danny Vineyard's narration, we learn that before going to prison, Derek was a skinhead and the leader of a violent white supremacist gang that committed acts of racial crime throughout L.A. and his actions greatly influenced Danny. Reformed and fresh out of prison, Derek severs contact with the gang and becomes determined to keep Danny from going down the same violent path as he did.

Why learn english with American History X?

"American History X" tells the story of Derek Vinyard, a young man who becomes a neo-Nazi skinhead after his firefighter father is killed. The movie follows Derek's journey into hate and violence, his time in prison, and his eventual attempt to change his life and save his younger brother, Danny, from following the same path. From this film, you can learn vocabulary related to racism and prejudice (like "skinhead," "propaganda," and "bigotry"), as well as vocabulary related to the legal system (like "incarceration," "parole," and "correctional"). You'll also encounter more informal language used by teenagers and gang members. This movie explores powerful themes like racism, redemption, and the influence of family and community. It evokes strong emotions such as anger, fear, and hope. The language used ranges from formal speeches and classroom discussions to casual conversations and heated arguments. This variety of language will expose you to different speaking styles and tones, which can help you understand the nuances of English communication. The intense emotional scenes can also help you learn how to express feelings in English. Learning English with "American History X" can be very beneficial. The realistic dialogue will improve your comprehension of everyday spoken English. The movie's complex themes and characters provide opportunities for discussion and critical thinking, which can enhance your overall language skills. Finally, the film's powerful message about the dangers of hate and the possibility of change can offer valuable insights into American culture and society. While the film contains strong language and violence, using it as a learning tool can be a powerful way to improve your English while engaging with a thought-provoking story. Remember to use subtitles and a dictionary to help you understand unfamiliar words and expressions.

Words from American History X

Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in American History X:

dan: a level or rank in karate or judo
pervert: to change something in a harmful or unacceptable way
travesty: something that is wrong or offensive because it lacks the qualities or values it should have
dispute: an argument or disagreement, often one that lasts a long time
guarantee: a promise to make sure something happens
propaganda: ideas or claims that might be false or only show one perspective, used to gain support for a political group or leader
racist: believing that some races are superior and showing it through unfair treatment
psychobabble: language used to discuss emotions and problems that appears scientific but often means very little
nonsense: ideas, statements, or beliefs that you consider to be silly or false
unlearn: to make an effort to forget something that you have learned, particularly if it is negative or incorrect
petty: small and unimportant
crap: a rude way to say that something is bad or of very poor quality
minded: interested in or wanting something; having a particular way of thinking
fool: someone who acts or speaks without intelligence or good judgement
expel: to force someone leave a school, country or organization