If you have seen The Devil Wears Prada, you will know it is not only a film about fashion: it is a masterclass in professional English. With the sequel out, many learners want to use this kind of content to improve their real grasp of the language.
In this article you will pick up key vocabulary from the worlds of fashion and business, see how it is used in context and learn how to apply it in real professional situations.
Why learn English with films like The Devil Wears Prada 2?
Cinema offers something textbooks do not always manage: authentic language. In films like this one, the English is not simplified; it mirrors real conversations in demanding settings.
The visual context also helps you grasp expressions even when you do not know every word. That is especially useful in sectors such as fashion or business, where the vocabulary is highly specific.
If you want to go deeper into improving your listening with audiovisual content, pair this article with our practical guide to improving English listening, which explains techniques that apply to film too.
Key vocabulary from the world of fashion
Fashion industry essentials
Films like this are full of sector-specific terms. Some of the most useful are:
- Runway: the catwalk
“The collection will debut on the runway next week.” - Collection: a clothing collection
“This season’s collection is inspired by Paris.” - Designer: the designer
“She works with top designers in New York.” - Fitting: a garment fitting
“We have a fitting at 3 pm.” - Trend: a trend
“This color is trending this season.”
What matters is not just memorising these words but understanding how they work in real sentences, usually under pressure and at speed.
Common expressions in the fashion world
In the film, the characters tend to use short, direct phrases:
- “Make it work” → find a way to make it happen (very common in creative environments)
- “Pull something together” → improvise or put something together quickly
- “We’re on a deadline” → we are up against a deadline
These expressions are just as common in workplaces well beyond fashion.
Business English: the language of the office
Beyond the glamour, the story plays out in a demanding corporate environment. That is where you find English that is useful to any professional.
Basic business terms
- Deadline: the date by which something is due
- Meeting: a meeting
- Report: a report
- Client: a client
- Feedback: comments or an assessment
A typical example:
“I need that report before the deadline.”
Key phrases for everyday professional life
This kind of film is especially good for picking up how people communicate in real situations:
- “I’ll get back to you” → I will reply to you later
- “Can you handle this?” → can you take care of this?
- “This is not acceptable” → this will not do
- “We need to move fast” → we need to act quickly
Expressions like these are gold in any international workplace.
How to bring this vocabulary into your own English
Learning isolated words is not enough. What counts is working them into the way you communicate.
1. Replay key scenes
Choose scenes with professional interaction. Listen several times and repeat out loud. This improves pronunciation and fluency.
2. Build your own sentences
For example:
- “I have a meeting with a client tomorrow.”
- “We are working on a new collection.”
The more you personalise the vocabulary, the easier it is to remember.
3. Simulate real situations
Imagine you work in an international company:
- Write emails in English
- Practise imaginary meetings
- Use this vocabulary in conversation
Common mistakes when learning English through films
Useful as it is, this approach comes with familiar pitfalls:
- Trying to understand 100% of it: you do not need to. Focus on what matters.
- Not reviewing vocabulary: noting words down and going over them is essential.
To jot down and review the most useful expressions where you can see them, a desktop whiteboard keeps key vocabulary in view while you study, with no app to open and no papers to hunt through.
- Not practising actively: listening without repeating limits what you learn.
The goal is not only to understand, but to be able to use the language.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, especially for improving your listening and learning real expressions. It does need to be paired with active practice, though.
From intermediate level (B1-B2) you can already get a lot out of it, though even at lower levels you can pick up vocabulary if you use subtitles.
Ideally start with English subtitles. If that proves too hard, use your own language at first, but move to English as soon as you can.
The English you hear in The Devil Wears Prada 2 is an excellent way in to the real language of fashion and business. You will learn not only vocabulary but also how people communicate in demanding professional settings.
If you want to take this further and apply it to your work or daily life, ALOS can help with training built around your goals. Get in touch and take the next step in your professional English.