Does watching TV in Spanish really help?
I feel like I can write in Spanish without a problem. I can read it, too. However, when it comes to actually listening to a speaker...I feel very discouraged because I can only catch a few words. I've been told that watching soap operas in Spanish is an excellent way to learn.
I tried, but I feel very confused. The actors/actresses talk so fast.
Has anyone [who is a native English speaker] ever tried watching TV in Spanish? Does it really help after a while?
12 Answers
Think of this....when you were young learning your native language you were at the table reading books, writing beautiful haikus or narrative pieces, right?? Good you get the point. 
We acquire language through hearing, seeing, and using. We made many mistakes it's just that when we are "old" people we get embarrassed in regards to our mistakes----in truth, who cares? Mistakes only make us better and strive to achieve greater things. Watching and listening to Spanish TV is a very important part of learning the language. It's great that you can read and write in Spanish!!! Keep up the work and soon you'll be speaking and hearing the language. 
By the way, I watch Plaza Sésamo on Sunday mornings....
Yes it does help. Telenovelas and English soaps have universalplot lines (ex: "Yo soy Betty, la fea" in Latin America, "Yo soy bea" in Spain, "Ugly Betty" in US). You should also try watching a Spanish language film without subtitles. Even if you do watch it with the English or Spanish subtitles you will definitely find some inaccuracies with the translations.
I don't know if you've ever spent some time in a foreign country, but while I was living in Spain I found watching American sitcoms (especially Friends, the Simpsons, and Family Guy reruns) that have been dubbed are also helpful. With reruns you may already know the plot, but you may listen more carefully to pick up on the details of what is actually being said. Some shows that are on tv now have the option of switiching to the Spainish audio track (SAP). There may be a language or audio button on your remote to switch it back and forth.
It is good for adjusting you ear the rhthym and sound of Spanish. After doing for a year, I can understand most people inculding those actors and actress on the soaps.. You may want to start with news, since the anchors and reporters are trained to enunciate.
I find listening to Spanish music helpful. You pick up on pronunciation and it helps you develop your ear. Before you know it, you're singing along with it and you start to wonder what you're singing, so you look up words! (at least I do) You pick up on phrases that way as well. I think music is helpful if you already know the basics of Spanish
Watching television in Spanish is good, watching telenovelas is pretty advanced. There's a lot of screaming, crying, talking too fast, talking over top of each other, and using slang. News is much easier. Newscasters are trained to speak in more or less proper language at a reasonable rate.
I am very new to learning Spanish (only about 3 months). However, I have watched a few programs the last month or so, to see if I understood any of what they were saying. I agree with Bella, the News programs are a little easier to understand. If you can stand to watch them, the children's shows also aren't as bad as adult novellas, etc. When I'm watching a show and I hear a distinct word that I have no clue as to what it means, I'll look in my Spanish-English dictionary (that I keep handy).
I've found it very helpful -- if you're willing to tolerate watching some real garbage. I couldn't take the telenovelas so I settle for Caso Cerrado. (Is my face red?) It's pretty tawdry. I sometimes use the subtitles to get the general idea of what the issue is and then turn it off to see how much of the conversation I can follow. My comprehension of the spoken word has definitely improved somewhat.
It took a very long time before it helped me.
Watching a Spanish film with Spanish subtitles helped though.
Problem is that many times the subtitles are not 100% what actually being said.
Strange because most of the English / English ones are pretty good.
Absolutely helps. And no worries, everyone goes through what you're going through right now.
I tended to watch movies instead of TV since the programming is garbage. Telemundo plays movies on the weekends you can check out though.
First I had to watch them with English subtitles, then I moved up to watching them with Spanish subtitles, and now I just watch them! lol
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Hi there SonrisadelSol!
I know your original question was about telenovelas but just thought I'd chip-in with another suggestion.
Don't know if you're on a crippling budget or not but if you have an iPhone or an iTouch what about downloading an audiobook in Spanish (fonolibro). iTunes has a pretty good selection and you can listen anywhere you like - waiting for trains - waiting for buses...And then, when you get home, you can plug it into a "dock" and continue listening there.
I've just downloaded "Ángeles y Demonios" (Angels and Demons) by Dan Brown. (This particular one cost about $31.00 Aus). I think it runs to about nine hours all up. Lots to listen to And you can chop it up on your device ino ten-minute bites, or whatever you prefer, and, not move-on until you've really got the gist of what's happening.
There's lots I don't understand but I work on the principle that if you listen to something again and again - eventually something will "click" and it will make sense. Hopefully
I agree 100% about listening to Spanish music. When my brother drives me, he listens to the Spanish stations. He says it helps him [he's a lot more advanced than me], and I do think it's helped me, too.
My favorites are "Mi Corazon Es Colgando En Tus Manos" y "Mi Niña Bonita"!
Mi Niña Bonita is my jam :D
I highly recommend listening to Spanish radio. Check out this thread. It has certainly helped me.
