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10 Netflix Series To Learn English [2026]

10 Netflix Series To Learn English [2026]

International English Test Editorial Team·6 Oct 2022·6 min read

Learning English can be an enjoyable and immersive experience, especially when using entertainment like Netflix. Watching shows in English not only helps you improve your listening comprehension, but it also exposes you to various accents, slang, and colloquial expressions. In this article, we’ll explore the best Netflix series for learning English and provide tips for enhancing your language skills while enjoying some amazing content.

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Why Netflix is a Great Tool for Learning English

In 2025, the digital age has made learning English more accessible than ever. Netflix offers a wide variety of shows in English, making it a great tool for language learners of all levels. Here’s why Netflix can help you learn English:

  • Diverse Accents and Slang: With a range of English dialects and regional slang, Netflix gives you the opportunity to learn how English is spoken in different countries, including the UK and the US.
  • Real-World Language Use: Watching TV shows exposes you to conversational English, helping you pick up vocabulary and expressions that are commonly used in everyday life.
  • Flexible Learning: You can watch Netflix shows with subtitles in both English and your native language, allowing you to understand the context and meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases.
  • Engagement: Choosing content you enjoy keeps you motivated and engaged, making language learning more fun and less of a chore.

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10 Best Netflix Series To Learn English

1. Black Mirror

Black Mirror is a fascinating science-fiction series that explores the dark side of technology. With each episode featuring different characters and settings, you’ll be exposed to a wide range of British accents, colloquial language, and thought-provoking conversations. This show is perfect for those looking to improve both their listening skills and understanding of contemporary British slang.

2. The Haunting of Hill House

This supernatural thriller offers an engaging storyline with various character dialogues that showcase different American accents. As you follow the Crain family’s eerie experiences in Hill House, you’ll encounter both formal and informal language, making it a great series for learning practical English in both personal and professional contexts.

3. The Last Kingdom

Set in 9th-century England, The Last Kingdom follows the struggle between Saxons and Vikings. This show is ideal for improving vocabulary related to history and warfare. Plus, it provides an opportunity to hear a mix of British and Scandinavian accents, giving you a diverse language experience.

4. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina offers a mix of teen drama, horror, and supernatural elements, making it a fun show to learn English with. It’s packed with modern teen slang, so it’s perfect for younger learners or those interested in contemporary language usage.

5. The Good Fight

A spin-off from The Good Wife, The Good Fight is a legal drama that introduces viewers to formal, business-related English. If you’re looking to expand your vocabulary in professional settings, this series is a great choice, with plenty of courtroom drama and legal terminology.

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6. The Crown

If you want to improve your British English, The Crown is an excellent option. This historical drama follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and uses formal, refined English, which is useful for learners interested in classic or professional language. It’s a must-watch for history enthusiasts and those looking to perfect their understanding of British accents.

7. Orange Is the New Black

Set in a women’s prison, Orange Is the New Black features characters from a variety of cultural backgrounds. The diverse accents, informal language, and slang make this series perfect for anyone looking to learn casual, conversational English with a touch of humor and drama.

8. Stranger Things

This sci-fi horror series is a fan favorite that uses 1980s pop culture references and slang. Stranger Things is great for learning American English, especially if you want to familiarize yourself with casual expressions and regional slang from the 1980s. It’s both entertaining and educational, making it ideal for language learners.

9. Ozark

Ozark is a crime drama that follows a financial planner who relocates his family to the Ozarks. The show is filled with suspenseful moments and sharp dialogue that will help learners practice understanding American English, especially in high-pressure situations. The characters’ interactions offer real-life English in tense, dramatic contexts.

10. 13 Reasons Why

Focusing on the difficult subject of teen suicide, 13 Reasons Why uses modern English with a lot of colloquial expressions. The show is ideal for learners looking to understand contemporary issues and the way teenagers communicate today. It’s an emotional and powerful series, making it perfect for those interested in learning English through drama and deep character development.

Tips for Using Netflix to Learn English

Watching Netflix to learn English can be even more effective if you follow these simple tips:

1. Choose the Right Level of Difficulty

Pick shows that match your current English proficiency level. If you’re just starting, go for simpler shows with subtitles in your native language. As you progress, try watching without subtitles or with English subtitles.

2. Pay Attention to Pronunciation

Focus on how words are pronounced. Try to repeat phrases after the characters to improve your accent and fluency.

3. Write Down New Vocabulary

Keep a notebook handy to write down new words or phrases that you don’t understand. Look them up later to expand your vocabulary.

4. Don’t Overwhelm Yourself

Watch an episode or a few scenes at a time and focus on understanding the content. Don’t try to learn everything in one sitting.

5. Engage with the Show

Choose shows that you enjoy! The more you care about the story, the more you’ll naturally pick up the language. Engaging with the content will help you learn more efficiently.

6. Avoid Dubbed Versions

It’s tempting to watch your favorite shows with subtitles in your language, but for maximum learning, avoid dubbed versions. Watching the original English audio with subtitles will help you connect the spoken word with the written one.

Conclusion

Netflix is a fun and interactive way to learn English. With a variety of shows that cater to different tastes and proficiency levels, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in sci-fi, drama, or comedy, you’ll find engaging content that helps improve your language skills. Don’t forget to take the International English Test to assess your English level and track your progress as you enjoy learning through Netflix!

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Crown is the strongest choice for British English, since it follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and uses formal, refined speech that suits classic or professional contexts. Black Mirror also exposes you to a wide range of British accents and contemporary slang, and The Last Kingdom mixes British and Scandinavian accents in a historical setting, so all three sharpen your ear for UK pronunciation.
Start with subtitles in your native language if you are a beginner, so you can follow the context and meaning of unfamiliar words. As you progress, switch to English subtitles or remove them entirely. Avoid dubbed versions, because watching the original English audio alongside English subtitles helps you connect the spoken word with the written one and trains real listening comprehension.
The Good Fight, a legal drama spun off from The Good Wife, is packed with courtroom scenes and legal terminology, making it ideal for professional vocabulary. The Crown reinforces formal, refined English through its historical setting. Both shows expose you to structured, polished language that is far more useful for work or study than casual conversational slang.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is full of modern teen slang and suits younger learners, while 13 Reasons Why uses contemporary colloquial expressions that reflect how teenagers actually communicate. Stranger Things adds 1980s pop culture references and regional American slang, and Orange Is the New Black offers casual, conversational English from characters of many cultural backgrounds.
Keep a notebook nearby and write down any new word or phrase you do not understand, then look it up after the scene rather than pausing constantly. Watch only an episode or a few scenes at a time so you do not overwhelm yourself. Repeating phrases aloud after the characters also reinforces both the vocabulary and your pronunciation.
Choose content that fits your current proficiency. Beginners do best with simpler stories watched with native-language subtitles, then progress toward English subtitles or none at all. More than the genre, pick a show you genuinely enjoy, because caring about the story keeps you engaged and helps you absorb conversational English more naturally and efficiently.
International English Test

International English Test Editorial Team

ALTE Associate Member · UK English assessment provider · Est. 2023

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