In some countries, like the Netherlands, foreign TV shows have subtitles. People hear the English voices and read the words on the screen. In other countries, like Germany and France, shows are dubbed, so the actors speak the local language. Countries with subtitles often have better English.

But subtitles may not be the only reason. Dutch is similar to English, for example. Try watching your favorite show in English.

In Europe, some countries show foreign films and TV programs with subtitles, while others dub them into the local language. The Netherlands and the Nordic countries use subtitles, whereas Germany, France, Spain and Italy mostly use dubbing. Countries that use subtitles are often known for good English. A 2019 study compared countries around the world and found that those using subtitles had considerably higher English scores, especially in listening.

A study of 374 Belgian children found that those who often watched subtitled English programs did better on an English translation test. However, other factors also matter. Many subtitle countries speak languages similar to English and have small populations, which makes dubbing expensive. So subtitles probably help, but they are not the whole story.

Europe splits neatly over foreign films and television. The Netherlands and the Nordic countries subtitle them, while Germany, France, Spain and Italy dub them. The subtitling countries are often held up as places with strong English, so do subtitles deserve the credit?

In 2019, the economist Rupérez Micola and colleagues analyzed countries worldwide and found that subtitling went with considerably higher English proficiency, especially in listening. They also dealt with reverse causation, the possibility that countries already good at English simply chose subtitles, by using the historical circumstances behind each country's choice. Subtitles probably do some of the work. A European project covering seven regions found films to be the strongest out-of-school exposure factor.

The same project, however, found an even stronger predictor, the lexical similarity between the learners' own language and the target language. Subtitling countries also tend to be small, and size may shape the economic incentives to learn English. Studies of individual children add another piece. Among 374 Flemish children in their last year of primary school, those who often watched subtitled English programs scored higher on an English translation test.