On a recent trip to Costa Rica, several of our guides mentioned that they learned English by wastching Neflix! So it begs the question “What’s the best way to learn Spanish by watching Netflix?
Learning Spanish can be both engaging and effective when combined with watching captivating television series. For high school students, Netflix offers a variety of Spanish-language shows that cater to different proficiency levels. We categorize recommended series into four levels—Freshman (Beginner), Sophomore (Intermediate), Junior (Upper-Intermediate), and Senior (Advanced/AP)—to help students enhance their language skills while enjoying compelling narratives.
Freshman Level (Beginner)
At the beginner stage, it’s beneficial to start with shows that feature clear dialogue and engaging storylines to introduce basic vocabulary and cultural contexts.
- Go! Vive a tu Manera
- Synopsis: This Argentine teen musical series follows Mía, a talented singer and dancer, as she navigates life at an elite performing arts school, facing challenges and forming friendships along the way.
- Why Watch: The series offers simple dialogue and relatable high school scenarios, making it accessible for beginners.
- La Casa de las Flores (The House of Flowers)
- Synopsis: A dark comedy that delves into the secrets of the de la Mora family, owners of a prestigious flower shop, as they navigate personal and societal challenges.
- Why Watch: Provides exposure to Mexican Spanish and cultural nuances, with a mix of humor and drama.
- Siempre Bruja (Always a Witch)
- Synopsis: Carmen, a 17th-century witch, time-travels to modern-day Cartagena to escape execution and embarks on a journey to find her true love while adapting to contemporary life.
- Why Watch: Blends fantasy and modern elements, featuring straightforward dialogue suitable for beginners.
By starting with these series, freshman-level students can immerse themselves in the Spanish language through engaging stories that facilitate learning and cultural understanding.
Sophomore Level (Intermediate)
At the intermediate stage, learners can engage with more complex narratives and faster-paced dialogues, which aid in expanding vocabulary and understanding of various Spanish dialects.
- Club de Cuervos (Club of Crows)
- Synopsis: This Mexican comedy-drama revolves around the power struggle between siblings Chava and Isabel Iglesias following the death of their father, the owner of the fictional football club Cuervos FC. The series delves into themes of family dynamics, ambition, and the intricacies of managing a professional sports team.
- Why Watch: The show introduces viewers to Mexican slang and cultural humor, providing insight into regional expressions and societal norms. Its engaging storyline keeps learners invested while exposing them to authentic conversational Spanish.
- Control Z
- Synopsis: Set in a Mexican high school, this series follows Sofía Herrera, a socially isolated but observant student, as she attempts to unmask a hacker revealing her classmates’ secrets. The narrative addresses issues such as identity, privacy, and the impact of technology on personal lives.
- Why Watch: “Control Z” offers exposure to contemporary teenage slang and colloquial expressions, reflecting the language used by young adults in urban Mexico. The suspenseful plot engages viewers, making language acquisition more dynamic.
- Las Chicas del Cable (Cable Girls)
- Synopsis: Set in 1920s Madrid, the series centers on four women from different backgrounds who work as switchboard operators at a telecommunications company. It explores their struggles for independence, love, and friendship in a rapidly changing society.
- Why Watch: The show provides exposure to Castilian Spanish and historical contexts, offering learners a glimpse into Spain’s cultural and linguistic heritage. The formal language and period-specific expressions enhance vocabulary related to historical and social themes.
Continuing our exploration of Netflix series tailored to enhance Spanish language skills, we now present recommendations for Sophomore (Intermediate), Junior (Upper-Intermediate), and Senior (Advanced/AP) levels. These selections aim to align with students’ linguistic proficiency, providing both entertainment and educational value.
Junior Level (Upper-Intermediate)
Upper-intermediate learners are prepared to tackle intricate plots and diverse accents, further refining their comprehension and conversational abilities.
- Élite
- Synopsis: This Spanish thriller is set in Las Encinas, an exclusive private school, and follows the lives of three working-class students who enroll through a scholarship program. Their arrival leads to clashes with wealthy peers, culminating in a mysterious murder.
- Why Watch: “Élite” is rich in modern expressions and complex character interactions, providing insight into contemporary youth culture in Spain. The series exposes learners to various accents and sociolects, enhancing listening skills and cultural awareness.
- Rebelde
- Synopsis: A reboot of the classic Mexican teen drama, “Rebelde” follows a new generation of students at the Elite Way School as they navigate love, rivalry, and the pursuit of musical dreams.
- Why Watch: The series offers insights into youth culture and language, featuring everyday slang and idiomatic expressions prevalent among teenagers. Its musical elements also introduce learners to contemporary Latin music and associated vocabulary.
- Monarca
- Synopsis: This Mexican drama chronicles the Carranza family, owners of a tequila empire, as they grapple with corruption, scandal, and familial discord. The narrative delves into themes of power, tradition, and modernization.
- Why Watch: “Monarca” introduces business-related vocabulary and regional dialects, offering a deeper understanding of Mexican corporate culture and societal issues. The complex storyline challenges learners to follow multifaceted dialogues and character developments.
Senior Level (Advanced/AP)
Advanced learners can immerse themselves in series with sophisticated narratives and varied dialects, facilitating a comprehensive grasp of the Spanish language.
- Narcos
- Synopsis: This crime drama chronicles the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar, the notorious Colombian drug lord, and the Medellín cartel. It provides a gritty portrayal of the drug trade and law enforcement’s efforts to dismantle it.
- Why Watch: “Narcos” blends Spanish and English dialogues, offering exposure to Colombian accents and fast-paced conversations. The series enhances listening comprehension and familiarizes learners with colloquial and formal language used in law enforcement and criminal contexts.
- El Ministerio del Tiempo (The Ministry of Time)
- Synopsis: A secret Spanish government agency, “The Ministry of Time,” employs a team to travel through time, preventing historical alterations that could impact the present. The series intertwines historical events with fictional narratives.
- Why Watch: The show is rich in historical references and diverse accents, providing a panoramic view of Spain’s linguistic and cultural evolution. It challenges learners to comprehend various dialects and time-period-specific language, enhancing both historical knowledge and linguistic proficiency.
- La Casa de Papel (Money Heist)
- Synopsis: A criminal mastermind, known as “The Professor,” orchestrates an elaborate heist on the Royal Mint of Spain, recruiting eight specialists to carry out the plan. The series unfolds the meticulous execution and unforeseen complications of the heist.
- Why Watch: “La Casa de Papel” features intricate plots and diverse character interactions, exposing learners to various Spanish dialects and sociolects. The suspenseful narrative and character development provide context for understanding complex linguistic structures and expressions.
By selecting series that correspond with their proficiency levels, high school students can effectively enhance their Spanish language skills. Engaging with these shows not only improves linguistic abilities but also offers cultural insights, making the learning process both enjoyable and informative.
Best Practices for Learning Spanish from Netflix
Enhancing your Spanish language skills through Netflix series can be both enjoyable and effective. Educators recommend several strategies to maximize learning while watching:
- Select Appropriate Content:
- Choose shows that match your proficiency level and interests. Engaging content keeps you motivated and facilitates better comprehension.
- Utilize Subtitles Strategically:
- Begin with Spanish audio and English subtitles to familiarize yourself with the context. As you progress, switch to Spanish subtitles to reinforce listening and reading skills.
- Engage in Active Listening:
- Pause and replay scenes to grasp unfamiliar words or phrases. Consider noting them down for review to enhance retention.
- Leverage Netflix Features:
- Adjust playback speed for challenging dialogues and explore language options in the settings to tailor your learning experience.
- Supplement with Educational Resources:
- Use platforms like FluentU to access interactive subtitles and tailored exercises for deeper learning.
By implementing these practices, you can transform your Netflix viewing into an immersive and productive language-learning experience.
Bonus: Best American Shows to Watch to Learn Spanish
Enhancing your Spanish proficiency can be both enjoyable and effective by watching familiar American television series dubbed in Spanish. This approach allows you to follow well-known storylines while acclimating to the language. Below is a curated list of five popular American shows available on Netflix, ranked from easiest to most challenging for Spanish learners:
- Friends
- Synopsis: This iconic sitcom chronicles the lives of six friends navigating personal and professional experiences in New York City.
- Why It’s Suitable: The series features everyday conversations and humor, making it accessible for beginners. Its episodic nature allows learners to absorb common phrases and colloquial expressions.
- Stranger Things
- Synopsis: Set in the 1980s, this sci-fi series follows a group of children uncovering supernatural mysteries in their small town.
- Why It’s Suitable: The show combines straightforward dialogue with engaging plots, aiding intermediate learners in expanding their vocabulary within a captivating context.
- Breaking Bad
- Synopsis: A high school chemistry teacher turns to manufacturing methamphetamine after a terminal cancer diagnosis, leading to a descent into the criminal underworld.
- Why It’s Suitable: The series offers complex character interactions and introduces specialized vocabulary, challenging upper-intermediate learners to grasp nuanced dialogues.
- House of Cards
- Synopsis: This political drama delves into the manipulative tactics of Frank Underwood as he ascends the ranks of U.S. politics.
- Why It’s Suitable: The show presents sophisticated political discourse and intricate plotlines, providing advanced learners with exposure to formal language and complex sentence structures.
- The Crown
- Synopsis: A historical drama portraying the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and the political and personal events that shaped the second half of the 20th century.
- Why It’s Suitable: The series features formal dialogue and historical contexts, offering advanced learners an opportunity to engage with high-level vocabulary and diverse accents.
Tips for Learning Spanish with Dubbed Shows:
- Start with Spanish Subtitles: Begin by watching with Spanish subtitles to correlate spoken and written language, enhancing comprehension.
- Progress to No Subtitles: As proficiency improves, challenge yourself by turning off subtitles to focus on listening skills.
- Repeat and Review: Rewatch episodes to reinforce understanding and retention of new vocabulary and phrases.
By integrating these dubbed series into your study routine, you can enjoy familiar stories while effectively advancing your Spanish language skills.
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