Learn English with The Handmaid's Tale

Set in a dystopian future, a woman is forced to live as a concubine under a fundamentalist theocratic dictatorship. A TV adaptation of Margaret Atwood's novel.

Why learn English with The Handmaid's Tale?

"The Handmaid's Tale" tells a story about a future where women have lost their rights and some, called Handmaids, are forced to have babies for powerful families. Learning English with this show will expose you to a variety of vocabulary related to social issues, like "forbidden," "resistance," and "ceremony." You'll also hear everyday language used in emotional conversations, which can help you understand how English speakers express feelings. The show uses flashbacks to the time before, allowing learners to compare and contrast language use in different social contexts. This series explores difficult themes such as oppression, control, and rebellion, giving you a chance to learn English related to complex emotions like fear, hope, and defiance. The dialogue includes both formal and informal language, helping you understand the nuances of English conversation. You'll encounter different speaking styles, from polite requests to angry outbursts, expanding your understanding of how tone and vocabulary are used to express various emotions. The show's dramatic nature also emphasizes intonation and pronunciation, making it easier to grasp how meaning is conveyed through speech. While the story is fictional, the language used is very realistic and relevant to many real-world situations. Improving your English with "The Handmaid's Tale" can help you discuss complex social and political issues, express your feelings more effectively, and understand different perspectives. The show's popularity also makes it a great conversation starter, allowing you to practice your English with others who are familiar with the story. Finally, by engaging with such a powerful narrative, you'll not only improve your language skills but also gain a deeper understanding of human resilience and the fight for freedom.

Words from The Handmaid's Tale

Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in The Handmaid's Tale:

mommy: a word used by children to refer to their mother
shatterproof: glass or plastic that is designed to resist breaking into small pieces
chandelier: a large, round light fixture that hangs from the ceiling and has arms for holding candles or lights, often decorated with glass pieces
forbid: to tell someone they must not do something
posting: an online message sent to an internet group or blog
drag: to pull something or someone with difficulty
bless: to make something holy with a prayer
scratch: to rub your skin with your nails, often due to itching; to damage a surface by marking it with something sharp
midst: the middle of something
lately: in the recent past or recently
barely: by the smallest amount or with great difficulty
sincerely: in a way that shows your true feelings or thoughts about someone/something
pious: deeply religious, sometimes in a way that is not sincere
broomstick: a brush with a long handle and thin, small twigs at the end
garage: a building where vehicles are stored and repaired