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Has watching TV helped anyone understand a language?

January 29, 2013
09:05

rainman

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September 22, 2012

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I have been relying on watching a lot of TV to learn how to understand people speaking Italian and I must say I don't find it an efficient or quick method. I admit I chose TV because I am a shy person but recently I have had to attend some social occassions lasting all day and needing me to speak and understand Italian. I was of course scared and hesitant at the beginning to interact with anyone (not making eye contact or only talking to people I knew well) but after some forced conversations I wason fire and really thought I knew Italian and began wanting to seek a conversation. Anyway, it lasted 2 days and I was delighted afterwards but as usual it faded away after around 3 days and I am back to normal

What should a socially awkward person do to learn a language? It's not that I don't know it but I think it must be a confidence thing, although then why can't I understand the TV as there is no pressure?

January 29, 2013
10:22

Auslander

Europe

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January 23, 2013

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Have you tried watching with sottotitoli? I know that with my German, I found that a lot of confusion came from the fact that I was missing a few key words in the show, and with the subtitles I could start to pick them out.

Or could it be regional accents that your having trouble with? Try finding a common dubbed film, where they will use a "neutral" Italian, such as Milanese or Northern Italian, and see if that helps with your comprehension. I'm also currently studying Italian, and if the accent comes from too far South I lose all understanding of it. Also I've found that some people are naturally more comprehensible that others.

Just two suggestions.

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(B2 by June 1, 2013)
Follow my Italian B2 Mission

January 29, 2013
12:01

rainman

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There are around 5 channels with subtitles (as well as DVD's) and I am fine when reading those and it helps a little with understanding. I can comprehend almost all that I read, especially subtitles on TV. One problem with some shows is the subtitles are delayed by 30 seconds so doesn't always match what is being said.

January 29, 2013
14:04

Auslander

Europe

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Well that delay may not be a bad thing, at least you can concentrate on what is being said, and then you get to check if you were right :p.

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(B2 by June 1, 2013)
Follow my Italian B2 Mission

January 29, 2013
16:21

JWood424

CT, USA

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Like you, I tend to be a pretty shy person in general, however I have found I am actually a little more comfortable talking to strangers when I am speaking in Spanish instead of English! I use TV to learn as well, but you can't expect the language will just jump into your head. Unlike watching regular TV in your native language, you have to really focus on what is being said, and while I think using subtitles is helpful, another way to learn is take some notes. I'm not suggesting you write down every possible word, but listen for some phrases that stand out or are repeated several times, write them down, and look them up later. Again, subtitles are useful, but I have found paying attention to body language is very helpful as well. Another way I use to learn is to watch movies I have seen in English, but dubbed into Spanish. For you, it may be tricky, but I am sure you can find movies dubbed in Italian. If you already have a general idea of what the actors are saying, hearing it in Italian will connect the languages for you. (I love watching movies like Batman or Spider-Man in Spanish) As far as conversing with others, it didn't fade away, it just slipped to the back of your mind. Keep at it and it will come back. It's amazing how fluent you will feel with just a little bit of confidence! (That feeling of being on fire will get you chatting away with no fear.) Good luck and keep us posted.

Speaks: English

Learning: Spanish

Wants to add: Portuguese

If you´re bored and want to follow my progress, check out: http://jaimito424.wordpress.com/

February 3, 2013
06:22

Raxit

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October 7, 2012

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Most certainly.
Norway broke off from Sweden early in the 1900s, and we still haven't developed our own influencial media.
On the other hand, we had and still have LOADS of Swedish TV. Right now next to me there's Swedish TV. Most Norwegians, including me, learned Swedish from the media.

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February 3, 2013
11:07

Break Out Of Academic Spanish

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January 25, 2013

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By William Murphy
Author Break Out Of Academic Spanish (@gmail.com)

I love Forrest Gump 'cause heeeeee taaalks liiiike thiiiiiiiis. Also, the movie is broken into short stories which keeps you from being overwhelmed by two hours of continuous material. Additionally, all the time tenses are well covered as the movie moves from the past to the present to the future on a regular basis. As with all movies, the great advantage is that you can review material as needed.

Of course be sure your DVD has subtitles that you can remove

1. Watch the section you want to study several times in your native language without subtitles

2. Now watch the same section in the language you want to learn with Subtitles in your native tongue

3. Watch without subtitles when you are ready.

I hope this helps. Please let me know how it turns out.

Good Luck

February 7, 2013
16:56

Raphacam

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Watching TV in another language is awesome. You can have fun and a true experience at the same time. It's been helping me with English since ever, nowadays I can master formal language, use slang, hold complex conversations, speak and understand clearly a range of accents and pronunciations… And I really own television many of my skills.

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February 12, 2013
07:15

Stephanie S

St. Julian's, Malta

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January 16, 2013

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Language Courses for Introverts.

February 12, 2013
14:45

Throughout

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February 12, 2013

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Well, I am learning English and I often watch BBC. I think it is helpful.

www.facebook.com/IVoteForEnglishAsTheOfficialLanguageInLithuania

April 7, 2013
06:07

missewo

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November 16, 2012

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I used TV to learn Dutch. Since on Dutch TV are all foreign shows, movies or whatever in origin language, they use subtitles. Only disadvantage was the fact that I couldn't learn pronunciation from TV – I learnt it later from books, internet and people but TV was my main source of vocabulary.

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