Learn English with Pearl Harbor

The lifelong friendship between Rafe McCawley and Danny Walker is put to the ultimate test when the two ace fighter pilots become entangled in a love triangle with beautiful Naval nurse Evelyn Johnson. But the rivalry between the friends-turned-foes is immediately put on hold when they find themselves at the center of Japan's devastating attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Why learn English with Pearl Harbor?

"Pearl Harbor" tells the story of two best friends, Rafe and Danny, who are both pilots in the US Army Air Corps during World War II. The movie follows their lives, their love for the same woman, Evelyn, and their experiences during the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. You can learn vocabulary related to the military, like "squadron," "battle stations," and "ordnance." The film also uses everyday language, showing how people talk about friendship, love, and loss. You'll hear expressions like "best friend," "I love you," and "I miss you." The dialogue also includes simpler words and phrases, making it accessible for learners. The movie explores themes of friendship, love, courage, and sacrifice. You'll see a range of emotions, from joy and excitement to fear and sadness. The language used reflects these emotions, using both formal and informal English. The conversations between the characters can help you understand different tones and styles of speaking. The film also has some dramatic speeches, which can help you learn more complex sentence structures and vocabulary. By listening to the different ways the characters speak, you can improve your understanding of English pronunciation and intonation. Watching "Pearl Harbor" can be a useful way to learn English because it combines an engaging story with a variety of language. The historical setting provides context for the vocabulary and expressions used. The clear pronunciation of the actors, especially in emotional scenes, can help you improve your listening skills. Also, because it’s a popular film, you can easily find subtitles or transcripts online, which can be very helpful for understanding the dialogue. Finally, discussing the movie with other English learners can help you practice speaking and improve your overall communication skills.

Words from Pearl Harbor

Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in Pearl Harbor:

bandit: a member of an armed group that steals from travellers
dive: to jump headfirst into water
throttle: a device controlling fuel flow into a vehicle's engine
rudder: a metal or wooden object at the back of a boat or aircraft used to change its direction
wingman: a pilot who flies beside and slightly behind the lead aircraft in a formation
pilot: a test of something on a small scale to see if it works properly
bust: a model of the upper part of a person
trench: a long, deep hole dug in the ground, often used to protect soldiers from attacks
drag: to pull something or someone with difficulty
walker: a frame used by someone who has trouble walking, so that they can walk more easily
alright: acceptable, safe, or good
ri: rhode Island, a state in the northeastern United States
righty: a right-handed person, especially a baseball pitcher
ace: a serve that is so good that your opponent cannot hit the ball
hedge: a row of small trees or bushes along a road or field