Learn English with Million Dollar Baby

Despondent over a painful estrangement from his daughter, trainer Frankie Dunn isn't prepared for boxer Maggie Fitzgerald to enter his life. But Maggie's determined to go pro and to convince Dunn and his cohort to help her.

Why learn English with Million Dollar Baby?

"Million Dollar Baby" tells the story of Maggie, a woman in her 30s who dreams of becoming a professional boxer. She convinces a grumpy but experienced trainer, Frankie, to help her. The movie follows Maggie's journey as she trains hard, faces tough opponents, and eventually gets a shot at the championship title. Along the way, you'll learn boxing terms like "jab," "hook," and "knockout," as well as everyday language related to training, family, and difficult choices. This movie explores themes of determination, family, and regret. It shows the strong bond that develops between Maggie and Frankie, and the emotional challenges they face. The language used ranges from casual conversations to more formal discussions, offering learners exposure to a variety of English expressions. The movie also portrays strong emotions like hope, disappointment, and love, which can help learners understand how language is used to express feelings. "Million Dollar Baby" is a great movie for English learners because it offers a compelling story with a variety of language and emotional depth. The dialogue is clear and relatively easy to follow, and the boxing context provides visual cues that can aid comprehension. By watching this movie, learners can improve their vocabulary, listening skills, and understanding of American English in a dramatic and engaging setting.

Words from Million Dollar Baby

Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in Million Dollar Baby:

useless: not helpful or effective at doing something
tit: a small European bird with multiple types
bleeding: a rude or offensive word used to emphasize a comment or show anger
sever: to cut something into two pieces or off something
wreck: something that has been badly damaged or destroyed, typically a vehicle or ship
mama: a casual word for mother
rightly: in an accurate way and with good reason
punch: an alcoholic drink made with a mixture of fruit juices
sermon: a talk on a religious or moral subject, especially one given during a church service
weep: to cry, usually because of sadness
kindergarten: a preschool for young children
snap: to break suddenly with a sharp noise
crackle: a series of short, sharp sounds
demigod: a person who is greatly admired or worshipped
pagan: a religion other than the major world religions, often ancient or nature-based beliefs