Can you learn English by playing a video game? Absolutely, especially when it’s set at Hogwarts and full of British accents. In this live stream I started playing Hogwarts Legacy on PS5, streaming on YouTube and TikTok, and stopped to explain the most useful phrases as they came up.
(And yes, I was sorted into Ravenclaw.)
Here are the expressions that caught my attention, explained so you can use them outside the wizarding world too.
Why learn English with a video game?
Games like this give you hours of natural dialogue from lots of different characters, each with their own accent and personality. You hear phrases in context, you can replay scenes and you’re having fun, so the language sticks. My tip: turn on English subtitles, pause when you hear something new and write it down with the line it came from.
Phrases to sound more British
1. Let’s crack on
Crack on means start or continue doing something, without wasting time. It’s very common in informal British English.
- Right, we’ve got loads to do. Let’s crack on.
2. I reckon
Reckon means think or believe. It’s informal and very British (Australians love it too).
- I reckon it’s going to rain later.
3. A tad nervous
A tad means a little bit. One of the characters, Everett, admits he’s a tad nervous.
- This soup is a tad salty.
4. Be seeing you
An informal way to say goodbye, like see you later.
5. Then again
Use then again to introduce a new thought that contrasts with what you’ve just said. Sebastian Sallow uses it in the game.
- I like to travel, but then again, I’m very fond of my home.
Phrases for learning and progress
Our character starts at Hogwarts as a fifth-year, so there’s lots to catch up on. The game is full of language about learning fast.
6. Catch up on
Catch up on something means doing something you didn’t have time to do before, or learning what you missed.
- I’ve got lots to catch up on after my holiday.
7. Get up to speed
Get up to speed means learn the latest information so you know as much as everyone else. A related phrase is be in the know (have information other people may not have).
- Before the meeting I had to get up to speed on the new projects.
8. Put it to the test
Put something to the test means try it to see if it works. In the game, you put your Wizard’s Field Guide to the test.
- I’ve learned the theory. Now let’s put it to the test.
9. Hasten your progress
Hasten is a formal verb meaning make something happen faster. You won’t use it much in conversation, but you’ll see it in books and games.
10. It runs in my family
If something runs in your family, many people in your family have it, like a talent or a feature. Samantha Dale says it about Herbology.
- Everyone in my family’s a musician. It runs in the family.
Grammar from Hogwarts
11. “I’ve never seen so powerful a goblin”
Professor Fig says this, and it’s a formal, literary structure: so + adjective + a + noun. In everyday English you’d say:
- I’ve never seen such a powerful goblin.
Both are correct. The first just sounds more old-fashioned, which suits a Hogwarts professor perfectly.
12. “I’ve never been one for stargazing”
Never been one for something means it’s not really my thing. Contrast it with another character’s line: I find the stars fascinating. Notice that the stars are fascinating (-ing, the cause), not fascinated.
- I’ve never been one for parties. I prefer a quiet night in.
Look forward to + -ing
I ran a poll in the stream: I’m looking forward to (explore / exploring) the castle. The answer is exploring, because in look forward to, to is a preposition, so it’s followed by a noun or an -ing form.
Pronunciation corner
Schedule: in British English it’s usually /ˈʃedjuːl/ (SHED-yool); in American English, /ˈskedʒuːl/ (SKED-jool).
And the spells! Try saying them with confidence: Revelio, Lumos, Protego, Accio, Levioso, Reparo. We also travelled by Floo Flames and arrived in the Central Hall, which is basically our King’s Cross station.
Practice
Choose the best phrase: crack on, a tad, then again, get up to speed, put it to the test, runs in the family.
- I’ve missed three classes, so I need to ___ before the exam.
- Her dad and grandad were both chefs. Cooking ___.
- We’ve only got an hour, so let’s ___.
- I’m ___ tired today. I didn’t sleep well.
- This new recipe looks great. Let’s ___!
- Rome is beautiful. ___, so is Buenos Aires.
Show the answers
- get up to speed
- runs in the family
- crack on
- a tad
- put it to the test
- Then again
Watch the stream
Join me in the castle to hear these phrases in context, with all the different British accents in the game. Then come back for the next part.
Until next time, keep speaking like a wizard! Subscribe so you don’t miss the next Hogwarts Legacy stream.