Fired from his band and hard up for cash, guitarist and vocalist Dewey Finn finagles his way into a job as a fifth-grade substitute teacher at a private school, where he secretly begins teaching his students the finer points of rock 'n' roll. The school's hard-nosed principal is rightly suspicious of Finn's activities. But Finn's roommate remains in the dark about what he's doing.
"School of Rock" tells the story of Dewey Finn, a passionate rock musician who pretends to be a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. He turns his class into a rock band, teaching them about music history and performance. Learners can pick up musical vocabulary like "guitar," "drums," "solo," and "band," alongside everyday expressions like "chill out," "hangover," and "get on it." The movie also uses classroom language, making it relatable for students. The film explores themes of following your dreams, teamwork, and rebelling against authority. It's full of humor and emotion, with characters expressing passion, frustration, and joy. The language used is a mix of formal and informal English, including slang and idioms. This variety helps learners understand different registers of spoken English and recognize how tone and context influence communication. The dialogue is fast-paced and energetic, exposing learners to natural speech patterns and colloquialisms. Watching "School of Rock" can be a fun and engaging way to improve English comprehension and vocabulary. The music provides a memorable backdrop for language learning, and the subtitles can aid understanding. The movie’s focus on communication within the band also highlights the importance of clear expression and collaboration, skills crucial for English learners. The emotional range of the characters provides context for learning expressive vocabulary, and the humor makes the learning process more enjoyable.
Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in School of Rock: