Embassytown by China Mieville – Winner of the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel, Embassytown is a novel about a weird alien race that can only communicate literally (no metaphors!)
Pontypool – a psychological horror/thriller film about zombies and linguistics…you don’t get that very often
Lingthusiasm – One of Spotify's top 50 Science podcasts (2022), Lingthusiasm is a really interesting and fun podcast about linguistics (look them up on Twitter/Bluesky, too)!
Babel 17 by Samuel Delaney – Winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1967, Babel 17 is definitely one for classic sci-fi lovers! It’s a novel that blurs the boundaries between language, thought, and (physical) action
Story of your life by Ted Chiang - the truly beautiful novella/short story on which the film Arrival was based. It tells the story of linguist Louise Banks as she attempts to communicate with alien beings that have mysteriously arrived on earth
Vocal Fries – a podcast by two linguists (one based in the US, the other in Canada) that looks at language through the lens of linguistic discrimination
Unwind with Upbeat German Pop Music - Create a playlist of catchy German pop songs. Music is a fantastic mood booster and passive language exposure. Check out artists like Mark Forster, Lea, or Clueso for feel-good vibes
Laugh Out Loud with a German Comedy Series - Lighten the mood with a German comedy series. Humour transcends language barriers, and you'll pick up colloquialisms along the way. Try "Stromberg" (the German version of "The Office") for satirical workplace comedy or "Pastewka" for relatable everyday situations
Explore German Art Online - Spend some time browsing the online collections of famous German art museums. This offers a cultural escape and can spark interest in German history and aesthetics. For example, visit the virtual tours of the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin or the Pinakotheken in Munich
Follow German-Speaking Social Media Accounts - Engage with German-language content on platforms like Instagram or YouTube. Find accounts related to your hobbies or interests for bite-sized language exposure that feels like leisure. Search for hashtags like #deutschekunst (German art) or #deutschesessen (German food)
Enjoy a Virtual Tour of a German City - Take a virtual stroll through a beautiful German city like Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg using online maps or dedicated virtual tour websites. This offers a visual escape and can inspire future travel while subtly reinforcing place names and basic descriptive language
These are some of films, shows and podcasts our students say help them switch off, escape the stress or just get through the day.
Game of Thrones follows the conflict between nine noble families as they battle for control of the Iron Throne in the lands of Westeros, while facing threats from within and beyond their borders. If you’re looking for something that will have your jaw on the floor for the duration of the series, this is the show for you!
Severance is a science fiction psychological thriller series that follows employees at the biotechnology corporation Lumon Industries who have undergone "severance" - a medical procedure that ensures they retain no memories of the outside world while at work, and have no recollection of their job once they leave. This results in two distinct personalities for each employee: the "innie", who exists solely within Lumon, and the "outie", who lives their personal life outside of work.
A comedy podcast, hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster, where celebrity guests reveal their dream meal in their ‘magical restaurant’, sparking amusing food-related chats.
Hard-hitting, immersive, and an impressive technical achievement, 1917 captures the trench warfare of World War I with raw, startling immediacy. - Rotten Tomatoes
A thought-provoking podcast that brings together practical experiences and theoretical insights to help you understand and strengthen the relationships that matter most - whether they’re personal, professional, or even the one you have with yourself.
