Learning Spanish from the TV
By
Christopher Howard
Next to practicing with native speakers,
watching Spanish television programs is one of the best ways to learn the
language.
All you have to do is own a television set and live in an area where there are
Spanish stations. If you reside in a Spanish-speaking country like Costa Rica,
there are a variety of programs and channels from which to choose.
Even if you live in the United States, there are many Spanish cable TV stations
available, especially in the west and southwest.
By viewing Spanish television you will have a chance to observe how Spanish is
really spoken in a variety of daily situations. Many of the structures and rules
that you learn in Spanish classes will start to fall into place.
You will also be able to improve you listing and comprehension skills. Above
all, you will increase your vocabulary and see how words are used in many
different contexts.
Here are some ways you can use your television to learn Spanish. A good exercise
is to watch the news first in English, then in Spanish.
The stories will basically be the same so you will know what is going on. At
first you will notice the reporters speak very quickly, but once you increase
your vocabulary you will be able to keep up with what is being said in Spanish.
Speaking of vocabulary it is a good idea to keep a pen and paper handy to write
down words or expressions that you don't understand. Jot them down and look up
the meanings later. This is an excellent method of increasing both your
vocabulary and improving your comprehension skills.
Once you can understand the news in Spanish, you can then graduate to Spanish
soap operas or 'telenovelas' as they are called. Don't pay much attention to the
trite, melodramatic parts but rather the dialogue and how Spanish is used by the
characters in real life situations.
Don't worry if you get lost now and then because you can usually figure out
what's going on by watching the interaction between the actors and their
gestures.
Try to view a variety of programs including cartoons and children's programs,
since the vocabulary and dialogue are easy to understand.
Christopher Howard M.A.
conducts monthly one-of-a-kind exploratory
trips for those wanting to live in Costa Rica in conjunction with LIVE
IN COSTA RICA TOURS. Please call toll free 800 365-2342, e-mail:
or see
.
Mr Howard is also the author of "The New Golden Door Door to Retirement and Living in
Costa Rica", Living and Investing in the New Nicaragua" and "The Costa
Rican Spanish Survival Book" and cassette. For more information call
800 365-2342, access:
www.costaricabooks.com or
AMAZON.COM
|
