Have you ever thought of some striking benefits of binge-watching just your favourite TV show? Well, this makes learning a new language so effortless that according to a recent study by Ulker Mehmet, people who watch TV shows in a foreign tongue for 1–2 years accelerate their fluency to a great extent.
Learning a new language through entertainment can be an effortless way to pick up some new phrases, understand the cultural nuances, and strike up a conversation with the native speaker.
This can open up a whole new world for you, and this is probably why Flora Lewis who was a famous American journalist said,
“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things but learning another way to think about things.”
So, this read will be having a deep dive into how language learning streaming platforms like Lingopie can accelerate your journey.
Let’s start!
Exploring Many Benefits of Watching TV Shows for Language Learning
Understanding a new form of speech means a whole new literature in your hands. And tuning into a show to learn a new term can develop listening comprehension and expand your vocabulary in a fun and engaging way. So, here take a look at the many benefits of watching TV shows for language learning.
1. Conversations And Dialogues
One of the greatest merits of learning a new form of speech through TV entertainment is that the audience gets to hear live dialogue. Unlike the written educational materials, where you can only read people’s scripted lines, TV shows have characters who talk to each other in natural and witty language.
This kind of exposure enables you to appreciate the context in which words can be used, thus helping you to learn other socio-cultural behaviors that texts cannot teach you.
2. Enhanced Listening Comprehension
As part of language acquisition, listening comprehension is an important aspect and this skill can be developed through the use of TV shows, which are readily available. The different types and styles of pronunciation, speech rate, and so forth that you come across in various shows can help you become more adaptable when engaging in real conversation.
Furthermore, you will also get to learn how to listen and interpret the emotions behind the words used, through their intonation and the surrounding events.
3. Greater And More Sophisticated Vocabulary
TV shows are an excellent source of vocabulary. Watching a series can help you learn and understand the practical use of language, growing from ordinary speech to job or industry-specific terminologies.
You will also be exposed to grammar as you learn new vocabulary and the new vocabulary in sentences.
4. Insight Into The Culture
Language and culture are often interconnected in many ways. By adhering to shows from different regions, you acquire knowledge about customs, traditions, jokes, and social problems, enhancing your knowledge of this language in its context and of its speakers.
5. More Motivating And More Fun For Language Learners
Learning a series of phrases foreign to you can be challenging at times, and you are probably not too excited with the repetitive mechanical drill. Watching expensive and exciting TV shows is a good way of improving one’s skills.
When you dive into a show you really enjoy, you cannot help but want to see the next episode, and that increases your exposure to the target language and, therefore, increases how well you remember the things you have learned.
Do You Know?
Learning a new language can open up a wide range of job prospects, with some studies suggesting that a bilingual employee can earn about 5 to 20% more than their monolingual counterparts.
6. Accessibility And Flexibility
The truly global nature of streaming platforms has made it more convenient to watch foreign shows than ever before. This allows you a range of features to access such as stop and rewind to hear a definition again, and even choose English or your target language subtitles. This adaptability allows you to customize your learning in accordance with your liking and speed.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Language Study with TV Shows
Countless studies have shown that watching your TV show with one of the following strategies is a sure way to get the most out of all those hours spent in front of a screen.
1. Choose The Right Show
It helps if you decide on a few shows that are easy for someone in your interest and language range. If you’re a beginner, look for comedies or shows aimed at children, which usually include more basic terms. Maybe progress into dramas or other complex stories that are a bit above your listening comfort level.
2. The Simple Solution To This Is The Use Of GOOD Subtitles.
This means that subtitles can be useful for learning a language. First, watch with English Subtitles so that you can follow the story. Then, progress to binge with subtitles in your target tongue, and finally watch it without any kind of subtitles.
This gradual process helps build stronger conversational skills while simultaneously reducing the need for translating.
3. Take A Lot Of Notes
If you decide to watch, make sure you have a notebook handy. Write lists of new vocab, phrases or culture references that sound cool to you. Go back later and look at your notes, trying to get yourself to put a few of those words into practice in your sentences. This level of active engagement will also significantly improve the retention and application of what you have learned.
4. Speak Out Loud After You Listen
Practice your Speaking using what you learned through the series, Say whole lines copying their intonation and pronunciation. This exercise will also enhance your speaking skills, and you will become more confident while talking in English.
5. Talk To People About The TV Shows You Watched.
Connect with other language learners in person and online to talk about the shows you’ve watched. Discussing characters, plots, and cultural considerations helps solidify what you know —and it also gives you more things to say in every conversation.
6. Watch With Purpose
Intention to watch: Establish for yourself what you want to achieve from each session —whether it be better at listening, becoming more fluent or learning the culture. It is the targeted process that can make your acquisition process much more streamlined and effective.
TV Shows Perfect For Language Learners
All this to say, here is a beginning list of must-watch shows in Turkish and Spanish — curated across ranges of interests… so that watching actual TV on Google Chromecast also becomes part of your career development.
1. La Casa de Papel (Spanish)
Six robbers try to pull off the biggest heist in recorded history — against the Royal Mint of Spain! — in one heck of a thrilling series that sprinkles its action with unexpected notes of emotion. The diverse dialogues and depth of characters give another reason to be proud of language students.
2. French: Dix Pour Cent (Call My Agent!)
A wry and irreverent web series about a Paris talent agency, Un comedian raconte is built around humorous, everyday dialogue full of references to pop culture. It is modern and conversational, which is appealing to learners.
3. German: “Dark”
A mind-bending sci-fi series about time travel and family secrets. Featuring clear, easy-to-understand dialogues throughout and an interesting storyline, Otherwise, this is a good option for learners looking to plunge into easily accessible contemporary German.
4. Italian: “Gomorrah”
Set in Naples, this series paints a gritty portrait of organized crime and uses various Italian dialects and slang. It may be in the real language and dramatic storytelling that keep audiences entertained.
5. Portuguese: “3%”
WARDIANA FANZULION: In a near-future dystopian Brazil, a staunch law enforcement professional grapples with the moral conundrums of his dubious job. A contemporary Portuguese and multicultural ensemble offers a robust educational value.
6. Crash Landing on You — (Korea) initiated this trend.
This South Korean show revolves around a romance between a high-society South Korean heiress who mysteriously ends up in North Korea. Overall, the relatable lines and cultural nuggets would make it a fun watch for learners.
7. English: “Friends”
One of the most favoured sitcoms for language learners, thanks to its range of problems many people come across in their lives and lots of humour. The daily talks are filled with a treasure trove of words and sprigs of culture.
The Bottom Line
This can change the game for your language learning experience — TV shows. Take it into the world of real-life conversations, advanced listening comprehension, acquiring more words and phrases, as well cultural insights to create an engaging experience for yourself.
By using the proper methods and attending to an array of quality, entertaining programs, you will discover that not only is speech development more efficient but also a whole lot more fun. Grab some popcorn, choose a series that you might find interesting and bring your language learning one step further!
