Learn english with District 9

Thirty years ago, aliens arrive on Earth. Not to conquer or give aid, but to find refuge from their dying planet. Separated from humans in a South African area called District 9, the aliens are managed by Multi-National United, which is unconcerned with the aliens' welfare but will do anything to master their advanced technology. When a company field agent contracts a mysterious virus that begins to alter his DNA, there is only one place he can hide: District 9.

Why learn english with District 9?

District 9 tells the story of Wikus, a government worker who gets infected by alien technology and starts to transform into an alien himself. He must then team up with the aliens, who are called "prawns," to try and reverse the transformation and help them get back home. This movie uses a lot of South African slang and accents, which can be a challenge, but also a great opportunity to learn different ways English is spoken. You'll hear words like "scrawl" (signature), "kit" (equipment), and "muti" (traditional medicine). The film also uses a lot of technical jargon related to weapons and biology, so you can expand your vocabulary in these areas. The movie explores themes of social injustice, prejudice, and the consequences of greed. You'll experience a range of emotions, from fear and disgust to empathy and hope, as you follow Wikus's journey. The language used ranges from formal government speak to casual conversations and heated arguments, giving you exposure to different registers of English. Pay attention to how the characters express their emotions through their words and tone of voice, which can be very helpful for understanding nuances in English communication. Watching District 9 can be a useful way to improve your English listening comprehension and vocabulary. The subtitles can help you follow along with the dialogue, and you can look up unfamiliar words and phrases. Because the movie is engaging and action-packed, it can make learning English more enjoyable. By immersing yourself in the story and the characters' experiences, you can improve your understanding of how English is used in different contexts and for different purposes.

Words from District 9

Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in District 9:

alien: different from what you are used to and often frightening or strange
prawn: a type of shellfish that is eaten, has ten legs and a long tail, and turns pink when cooked
manhattan: a cocktail made by mixing whiskey with vermouth
halt: to stop something from moving or continuing; to stop moving or continuing
johannesburg: a large city in the north-east of South Africa
hover: to stay floating in the air without moving
deliberation: slow and careful thought or discussion
verge: the grass at the side of paths or roads
malnourished: in poor health due to not eating enough or the wrong foods
aimless: without a clear purpose or direction
ferry: to carry people or goods across water or by car on short regular trips
militarized: an area, country, or group with a powerful army and many weapons
slum: a very poor and run-down area of a city
inoperable: not able to be cured medically; unusable
speculate: to guess possible answers based on incomplete information