When you are watching an English film or commercial you will automatically read the subtitles. When there aren't any subtitles there are other things to focus on, to try to focus on the next points:
- have a good look at the body language. Are they interested, surprised, irritated? etc.
- during commercials you can mostly see what it is about by the actions in it.
- notice the background music/sounds. It can trigger your feelings like anxiety, happiness etc.
- when you actively participate you can understand a lot from the sound and images.