Learn English with Twelve Monkeys

In the year 2035, convict James Cole reluctantly volunteers to be sent back in time to discover the origin of a deadly virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population and forced the survivors into underground communities. But when Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990 instead of 1996, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital. There he meets psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Railly, and patient Jeffrey Goines, the son of a famous virus expert, who may hold the key to the mysterious rogue group, the Army of the 12 Monkeys, thought to be responsible for unleashing the killer disease.

Why learn English with Twelve Monkeys?

"Twelve Monkeys" is a thrilling science fiction movie about a man named James Cole, who travels from a future where a deadly virus has wiped out most of humanity. He's sent back to the past to find the source of the virus and prevent the disaster. The movie follows his journey as he tries to complete his mission, facing challenges like time travel complications, imprisonment in a mental institution, and encounters with a strange man named Jeffrey Goines. While watching, you'll learn words related to time travel like "future," "past," "present," and "time machine," as well as words related to illness and science like "virus," "scientist," and "cure." You'll also encounter more general vocabulary like "mission," "challenge," and "encounter." The movie explores themes of time, memory, and the nature of reality. You'll experience a range of emotions, from suspense and fear to hope and confusion, as Cole struggles with his mission and his sanity. The language used in the movie varies from formal scientific discussions to informal conversations, and even includes some slang. This variety will expose you to different styles of English speech. Pay attention to how characters express emotions like fear ("I'm scared"), confusion ("I don't understand"), and determination ("I have to do this") as this can help you learn to express yourself in English. Learning English with "Twelve Monkeys" can be very useful for several reasons. The clear storyline helps you follow along even if you don't understand every word. The diverse vocabulary and language styles provide a rich learning environment. The movie's emotional depth can make the learning process more engaging and memorable. By watching "Twelve Monkeys," you can improve your vocabulary, comprehension, and understanding of different aspects of English language and culture, all while enjoying a gripping story.

Words from Twelve Monkeys

Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in Twelve Monkeys:

inmate: someone who lives in a prison, jail or mental health facility
volunteer: a person who does a job for no money
pardon: saying sorry or asking someone to say something again because you did not hear or understand it
rumour: a story or piece of information that may not be true and is passed around between people
probe: a long, thin instrument that can be used by doctors or scientists to examine inside a human body or take readings of something
integrity: being honest and having strong moral principles
compromise: to settle an argument by allowing both sides to keep some of what they want
zipper: a device used to fasten items such as clothes and bags, made of metal or plastic teeth that can be joined to close or separated to open
indication: a sign or symptom that something is happening or that medical treatment is needed
contamination: the process of making something impure or polluted by adding a harmful substance
receptacle: a container
socialization: the way someone, often a child, learns to act in a way that is considered acceptable in their community
cite: to mention something to give evidence or support a fact or opinion
deviation: a change or difference from what is usual, expected, or considered normal
subchapter: a smaller part of a larger group or piece of writing