Learn English with The Big Short

The men who made millions from a global economic meltdown.

Why learn English with The Big Short?

"The Big Short" tells the true story of a few people who predicted the 2008 U.S. housing market crash and made a lot of money from it. The movie uses simple explanations to break down complex financial terms like "mortgage," "bonds," "CDOs," and "subprime." By watching, you'll learn these terms and also about the events leading to the crisis. The movie also uses real-world examples, so you can see how these financial concepts affect everyday life. The movie explores themes of greed, corruption, and the dangers of ignoring warning signs. It showcases a range of emotions, from excitement and triumph to anger and despair. The characters use both formal and informal language, including some slang and strong language, giving you exposure to different styles of spoken English. You'll also hear different accents, which is valuable for improving listening comprehension. The dialogue is fast-paced and engaging, which will keep you entertained while learning. Learning English with "The Big Short" can be beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, the financial vocabulary you acquire can be valuable in your career or personal finances. Secondly, understanding the story can help you better understand the global financial system. Thirdly, the diverse language used in the movie provides a realistic portrayal of how English is spoken in different contexts. Finally, it’s a captivating story that can make learning English more enjoyable and memorable.

Words from The Big Short

Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in The Big Short:

hiya: an informal way to say hello to someone
treasury: a place where money or valuable objects are kept
utility: being useful or helpful, especially in a practical way
banking: the business activities performed by banks
snooze: a short, light sleep, especially during the day and usually not in bed
loser: a person or team that fails to win a game or competition
accounting: the process of managing financial records and accounts
comatose: in a state of deep unconsciousness or extreme tiredness; sleeping very deeply
snot: a casual word for the liquid that comes from the nose
buck: the male of certain animals like deer and rabbits
ipod: a portable device that stores and plays media like music, videos, and games
gentleman: a polite and educated man with good manners who always behaves well
mortgage: a loan obtained to purchase a house, land, etc., or the process of securing such a loan by giving the lender the right to take ownership if payments are not made
payoff: the result of a series of actions or an explanation at the end of something
yield: the total amount of crops, profits, or other items produced