Your Magical Guide: How to Learn English With Harry Potter (and Become a True Potterhead)

Do you know anyone who doesn’t like Harry Potter?

We don’t.

A worldwide-known wizard and ‘the boy who lived’ opened a new door to the magical world to all of us who wanted something different and extraordinary.

Many of us read books and watched movies hundreds of times. Thanks to Harry Potter, some even improved their English.

Oh yes, you can learn English with Harry Potter.

It’s not that you can cast a spell or make a potion that will help you become fluent in English overnight, but there are many methods that Harry Potter and Co. can help you learn and master the language.

Don’t be confused due to many made-up terms and phrases. Believe it or not, they can be quite useful.

To prove to you that the Harry Potter world can be helpful in many ways, including learning English, keep reading to see which way you can learn English with Harry Potter.

And now, Alohomora to the world of Harry Potter, and let’s get started.

And don’t forget to be on platform 9 and ¾ on time! In case you find it difficult to find, you can always contact English tutors.

Why Harry Potter?

Harry Potter is probably one of the best learning tools for learning English. Let’s first see why is that is so.

• Initially, Harry Potter is written in English, British English. It is translated and published in more than 80 different languages. Therefore, it is available in any country and language so that even an English beginner can try reading, listening, or watching.

• Besides books, there are also audiobooks available to listen to them and improve your listening skills.

• If books aren’t enough for you, which we seriously doubt, there are eight Harry Potter movies to watch. 

• Like improving the language, Harry Potter starts with easy and straightforward and gets more challenging. Starting from the first book, you can see simplicity on the whole. Going further to the following books, it doesn’t stay that way. Vocabulary is more demanding, and the story has to be read between the lines, too.

• The vocabulary used in the books is fascinating. J.K. Rowling, the creator of Harry Potter, managed perfectly to use colloquial language with historical and terms of fantasy.

• We’re pretty sure that you’ve already read the books in your native language. So, you already know what’s going on. Reading them in English means that you now learn words and expressions.

Are Harry Potter Books Really Useful to Learn English?

We’ll be straight and say, YES, Harry Potter books, audiobooks, and movies are useful for learning English.

Even though they may seem suitable only for upper-intermediate and advanced students, any English learner can use them to improve their English skills.

J.K. Rowling started with the first book,  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, as a children’s book, ideal for ten or 11-year-old kids. She used simple language and sentences to be straightforward without any challenging phrases and idioms, apart from the magical terms, of course.

With every book, the story, and writing style, language, and colloquialisms, get more serious and challenging. It’s like the writer was also thinking about language learners so that they can grow linguistically, along with Harry and the Co.

 When you get to the latest book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, you’ll see that thematically, the story is much more serious and darker, and words and phrases are more challenging.

Generally speaking, Harry Potter books are ideal for a person who starts learning English from the beginning and with their progress move into the next, more demanding books.

What is the Magical Way to Learn English With Harry Potter?

There are many entertaining ways that Harry, Ron, and Hermione can help you with your English.

But, don’t expect to read all the books the way you read them in your native language and magically become fluent in English. Which way works the best for you and which method you find effective is something you have to find out on your own. 

We can give you some recommendations and suggestions so that you can try them out.

Learn Vocabulary With Harry Potter Flashcards

Building and improving vocabulary is one of the essential parts. Without knowing words and phrases, you can’t speak the language. That’s why many people worldwide are trying to think of some quick and easy, and fun ways to learn many new words and expressions.

One of them is learning vocabulary using flashcards.

Make a game out of it to win a House Cup. Choose the house you belong to and start. For example, choose the words and phrases you haven’t heard of before. Write them down on flashcards and turn them around. Start picking one by one. If you guess the meaning of the word, give yourself points, and if your answer is wrong, you lose points.

You can make a whole game out of it and organize a perfect afternoon hanging out with your friends.

Combine Reading And Listening Skills

Do you know how you can combine to improve both reading and listening skills at the same time?

There are two great ways for that:

• Start reading a book. Read, for example, two or three pages. Then turn on the same chapter of the audiobook. Listen to the pages you’ve read. 

You can also listen to the audiobook while following the same part from the paper.

• Watch movies. Yes, it’s not the same as reading a book, especially when some fascinating parts from the book aren’t in the movie, but this way, you can improve both reading and listening skills. If you are a beginner, turn on subtitles in your native language. Over time, when you make progress, use English subtitles. After you progress to a more advanced level, turn off the subtitles entirely and rely only on your listening skills.

Here’s one thing you should always have on your mind. If you want to progress, you have to be persistent and learn every day, at least 30 minutes a day, if not more. Practicing occasionally won’t help you improve your English.

Practice Speaking Skills

You must be wondering how on Earth can you practice your speaking skills by reading and watching?

Well, as we’ve mentioned already, no person in the world who hasn’t heard of Harry Potter and ‘The One Who Must Not Be Named.’ In fact, millions of people are loyal Harry Potter fans. It means that you can find anywhere people who will gladly discuss every single detail about the HP world. 

That way, you’ll get the opportunity to practice the language with native English speakers. Discuss the upcoming sorting into houses or you receiving the letter for Hogwarts.

With many HP communities, forums, and social media networks, you can practice your conversational skills as much as you want.

Learning Grammar With Harry Potter

And last but not least, one big thing. Grammar rules.

How can you learn and practice English grammar with Harry Potter, if that’s even possible?

Can HP books help you with grammar rules?

As strange as it sounds, not only that it’s possible to practice grammar but also recommended. 

You can find many useful grammar materials and worksheets related to the Harry Potter world on the internet.

Moreover, learning grammar through reading is one of the tricks that can help you understand English grammar nuances. The famous struggle many English students face with the present tense doesn’t have to be a nightmare anymore. Just take a closer look at the books, and you’ll easily recognize how and in which situations to use them.

Final Thoughts

Now that you are equipped with all the necessary magical stuff, you can pack your things and go to the platform to wait for the train rides you to Hogwarts.

The Sorting Hat will sort you to one of the four houses, so make sure you are prepared to understand everything it says. If you want to be fully prepared and for the Hat to sort you to your favorite house, ask for little help from English tutors. 

Remember: be persistent, organized, and dedicated. Progressing with your English, improving vocabulary, and mastering conversational skills will undoubtedly be considered for the job at the Ministry of Magic.

Good luck!