Can watching Netflix be productive?

Gloria Troncoso 11 Abr 202111/04/21 a las 22:12 hrs.2021-04-11 22:12:11

We have all been there.

“Hey, have you watched The Walking Dead series?”
“No …”
“You need to watch it!”

Then, 1 week later, you haven’t had any human contact, you have watched all 7 seasons and your room is starting to smell a bit odd. 

The wonderful thing about Netflix is that you can change the language of practically every series or film you are watching. You can even change the language of the subtitles! A few months ago, I started watching my all-time favourite series, Friends, on Netflix in preparation for my year abroad in France. I am now currently working as a language assistant in the Poitou-Charentes region. The idioms and fast-paced phrases I picked up from Friends have honestly been a huge help. Also, I have noticed that students who watch their favourite Netflix series in English have a higher level of spoken English.

Why you should watch your favourite series in the language you are learning:

-          You get used to the sounds and different rhythms of the language.
-          You can pick up colloquial phrases and words that are repeated.
-          If you have already seen the episode or film, you already have an idea of the storyline. This will help you to learn new, specific vocabulary.
-          If you are already spending an evening watching TV, why not watch it in the language you are learning?

Tips for fellow Netflix lovers:

-          Relax! You don’t need to understand every single word. We work with context: use what is happening in the episode to work out what the word meant. I recommend letting the episode/film flow as it is likely the word will be repeated.
-          Find a film that you love. Then re-watch it in English (or the language you’re learning) and turn off the subtitles! This will help you concentrate on the pronunciation of words.
-          Watch something you enjoy, otherwise it will feel like homework. Remember that it will get easier the more you hear the language!

Now that both you and I are feeling a lot less guilty about our binge-watching weekends, I’m off to catch up on Orange Is the New Black …

Questions:
Have you tried to watch a film in another language before?
Did you find your language skills improved?
Última Modificación 11 Abr 202111/04/21 a las 22:12 hrs.2021-04-11 22:12:11
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  • Gloria Troncoso

    16 Abr 202116/04/21 a las 13:23 hrs.2021-04-16 13:23:16

    What your classmate says about watching movies or series in English you already know by heart in your own language is really good exercise! Do you know any by heart? I still remember the Lion King's script :D

  • Valeria Galdame

    13 Abr 202113/04/21 a las 00:36 hrs.2021-04-13 00:36:13

    The truth is long time a go I took the habit of watching series and movies in their original language (no matter what it's) and subtitled in Spanish, but I'm more familiar with English.

    Personally, it has helped me a lot to improve my pronunciation and understanding when another person speaks to me in English, but from listening to it so much I began to forget how write it.

  • Monserrat Silva Norambuena

    13 Abr 202113/04/21 a las 00:08 hrs.2021-04-13 00:08:13

    Hi Miss! Honestly, before i used to watch the movies with spanish audio because i was lazy to read the subtitles, but when i started to grow up and get more interest in the language, i started watching the movies in their original language with Spanish subtitles, to learn pronunciation and new words. After that, i started watching my favorite movies like Sherk and Harry Potter in their original language with english subtitles, because i know those movies by heart in spanish, this, to reinforce the pronunciation, fluency and how to carry on a conversation.
    Honestly yes, my ability to understand written and spoken English has improved a lot, but I still need to reinforce a lot to speak English and have a fluent conversation.

  • Lilianet Guajardo

    12 Abr 202112/04/21 a las 22:22 hrs.2021-04-12 22:22:12

    Honestly, I have only seen one film in English with Spanish subtitles, since the film was not available in Spanish, and I think it did not improve my language skills, since it was the first time I saw a film in English and I was also more interested in reading than in listening

  • Gloria Troncoso

    12 Abr 202112/04/21 a las 21:41 hrs.2021-04-12 21:41:12

    That's right! You could say that Netflix is a two-in-one language learning tool, since you can learn not only by reading, but also by listening! :) Remember: the more you get familiar with English pronunciation, the better you'll get at it, practice makes perfect ;) Thanks for sharing, Aracely!

  • Aracely Ojeda G.

    12 Abr 202112/04/21 a las 17:23 hrs.2021-04-12 17:23:12

    I always try to watch movies or series with the original language and subtitles in Spanish, although sometimes I prefer watching them with subtitles in their original language, so that I can learn a little bit more, specially Friends, I love that show.
    I believe I learned a lot of new words because of some shows on Netflix or Amazon prime, and it taught me a lot of pronunciations. However, sometimes I still get a little confused.