Viktor Navorski is a man without a country; his plane took off just as a coup d'etat exploded in his homeland, leaving it in shambles, and now he's stranded at Kennedy Airport, where he's holding a passport that nobody recognizes. While quarantined in the transit lounge until authorities can figure out what to do with him, Viktor simply goes on living – and courts romance with a beautiful flight attendant.
"The Terminal" tells the story of Viktor Navorski, who gets stuck living in an airport when his country disappears due to a coup while he's traveling. He doesn't speak much English at first, but he learns as he navigates airport life, makes friends, and even falls in love. The movie is full of useful vocabulary related to travel, immigration, and everyday life, like "passport," "visa," "arrival," "departure," "customer service," and "business or pleasure." You'll also hear lots of simple conversations, which are great for practicing listening and comprehension. The movie explores themes of friendship, kindness, and cultural differences. You'll see Viktor experience a range of emotions, from confusion and frustration to joy and hope, all expressed in English. The language used in the film is a mix of everyday conversations and official airport announcements, which exposes you to different speaking styles. This will help you understand how tone and context influence communication. You'll hear characters use idioms like "keep the change" and "it's a secret," which will enrich your understanding of English expressions. "The Terminal" is a fantastic choice for English learners because it offers a heartwarming and engaging story while providing a realistic portrayal of language use in various situations. By watching Viktor's journey, you'll not only improve your vocabulary and listening skills, but also gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges and rewards of learning a new language. The clear pronunciation and moderate pace of dialogue make it easy to follow, even for beginners. Plus, the movie's humorous moments make learning enjoyable and less intimidating.
Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in The Terminal: