The 4 best TV Shows for Learning American English

The hardest part about learning a language is understanding what native speakers consider to be funny. Some comedy can be understood without language - such as a pie in the face or pulling a prank, but most comedy is difficult to understand.

There are many reasons for this. Comedy tends to be more fast-paced than everyday English, and is full of references to culture, history, stereotypes, and shared experiences that come from living in an English-speaking country for a long time. 

The good news is that by watching American comedies, you will not only improve your understanding of English, but also of American culture at the same time. 

The following 4 shows are my top recommendations for understanding US English and culture. 

1. Modern Family - Modern family is a show about a dysfunctional, quirky family who challenges ideas of the traditional American family. 

2. Black-ish - Blackish - This show looks at the African American experience and is helpful for understanding the common struggles faced by African Americans. 

3. Fresh off the Boat - This show looks at the Asian American experience and is helpful for understanding American stereotypes about people from East Asian countries. 

4. The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon - This is a great show for understanding American politics and pop culture.