Students sometimes ask me if it makes sense to watch Spanish TV shows if they still need subtitles in Slovak, Czech, English or another language. The short answer is: yes. Any contact with Spanish can help you move forward.
But if you want to get more from films and series, try using Spanish subtitles. And once you get used to that, try watching without subtitles from time to time. After all, when you speak to someone in real life, there are no subtitles in front of you. 🙂
Spanish is language and culture
When you learn a foreign language, it is important to spend time with it regularly.
Not only once in a while. Not only before a lesson. And not only when you have to do grammar exercises.
Regular contact with Spanish, in small and realistic amounts, is one of the best things you can do for your progress.
And by this I do not mean only drilling verbs or completing grammar worksheets.
Films and TV shows are one of the most natural ways to listen to real Spanish. You hear common phrases, everyday sentences, pronunciation, rhythm and intonation. You also see gestures, facial expressions and real situations.
And there is one more beautiful thing: through Spanish films and series, you also learn about culture, places and everyday life in Spain or Latin America.
These small cultural details can make your Spanish feel much more alive.
TV shows are little trips around Spain
Many Spanish films and series are filmed in beautiful locations.
They can take you to famous cities, small villages, beaches, mountains and places you may suddenly want to visit in real life.
For example, if you would like to see Mallorca, you can watch Mentiras. If you are more interested in the Valencia region, and you want to see a story set in the place where paella was born, you may enjoy El embarcadero.
For Andalusia, there is Toy Boy. If you prefer the cooler north of Spain, you can try El desorden que dejas.
Barcelona appears in films such as Contratiempo, Todo sobre mi madre, Tres metros sobre el cielo and Tengo ganas de ti.
And if you feel like travelling to Madrid, you can watch Las chicas del cable, La valla or Valeria.
I could continue with many more examples, but I will save some of them for another article.
Still, watching in Spanish is not only about beautiful places.
It also helps you get used to different voices and accents.
You may already understand your tutor quite well, because you are used to their way of speaking. But real Spanish speakers often speak faster, with different accents, different energy and less “classroom clarity”.
That is exactly why it is helpful to start listening to real Spanish as soon as possible.
How to really enjoy Spanish shows in the original version
I think that to truly enjoy a TV show or film in Spanish, it helps to be at least around level B1.
This means that you already know the basic tenses and have vocabulary for common everyday topics.
With students at this level, I have seen that the most effective option is usually this:
watch Spanish shows with Spanish subtitles.
Maybe now you are thinking: “Ufff.”
And yes, I understand. At the beginning, it can feel difficult. Especially if you are used to dubbing or subtitles in your own language.
Changing to Spanish subtitles can feel like a big step.
But it is worth it.
At first, you will probably not understand everything. That is completely normal. Please do not take it as a failure. Take it as part of the process.
Start small.
Choose one episode and watch only 10–15 minutes.
If you need to, pause the video and look up words that seem important for the story. Keep a notebook next to you and write down useful words or phrases.
Try this for a few weeks. Little by little, watching in Spanish will become easier. Later, you may be able to watch a whole episode without stopping so often.
A small tip
Do not watch Spanish shows while eating, scrolling on your phone or doing something else.
Be fully present.
If you want this to help your Spanish, treat it as active listening, not just background noise.
Most things feel difficult the first time we do them. But the more often we do something, the easier and more natural it becomes.
With patience and consistency, you will start understanding more and more.
And if you start today, one day you may notice that you are following the story without needing to read every subtitle.
That moment feels really good.
And yes, it is absolutely worth the effort. 🚀📈