Spanish Success with One Click of Your Remote

You will rarely hear an educator tell you to close the book and turn on the TV, but we are about to make an exception. A fun way to help you learn Spanish and supplement your online high school course is by watching Spanish movies. Make the popcorn, pour the soda, and get comfy on the couch. Watching Spanish flicks will enable you to listen to learn, appreciate the culture, hear the language nuances and bolster your knowledge of the language.

Listening is Learning

Listening is the start of learning, but you must make sure to listen especially closely in order to capture the words and the images of the films. You cannot daydream about your boyfriend or girlfriend, think about dinner, or mentally check out; you have to focus. By listening to learn, you will consequently reinforce what you have learned in your online high school Spanish course.

Cultural Immersion

Additionally, by watching Spanish movies you will go beyond the language and immerse yourself in the culture. The traditions, festivals, foods and history of the various Spanish-speaking countries will be introduced to you if you are paying close attention. You can see the sights of Barcelona’s Carnaval, hear the roar of the soccer crowd at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá and almost taste the croquettes and paella of Gran Vía, Madrid restaurants.

The Subtleties of Linguistics

When learning Spanish with JMHS, you are learning more than just the vocabulary – you are learning about the accent, pace, and intonation of the language. Holding a conversation with a Spanish speaker is perhaps the best way to practice a new language, but you can also further your understanding of key language concepts through film. You can start by watching with subtitles and as you begin to grasp the linguistic nuances, you can move to the films without subtitles. Combine hard work in your online high school language courses with Spanish film observation and you have a win-win collaboration.

Bolster Your Knowledge of the Language

Use these tips in order to bolster your knowledge of the Spanish language. Remember some colleges will require two to three years of successful completion of a foreign language for admission.

• Use movies with subtitles at first
• Take notes as the film progresses
• Observe and note new words
• Concentrate on the words and the message
• Listen for the accent, pace and intonation
• Review the film as often as needed

JMHS has compiled a short list of Spanish films that you may find beneficial to watch. All of these flicks will help you hone your skills in high school and eventually college. Follow our tips, enjoy our suggestions, and keep striving for success in Spanish.

• Y Tu Mamá También (And Your Mother Too)
• Caballos Salvajes (Wild Horses)
• Nueve Reinas (Criminal)
• Diarios de Motocicleta (Motorcycle Diaries)