Watching TV in Spanish...Does it work?

We've all heard it, right? To improve your Spanish, you should watch TV and movies in Spanish. But where the heck do you start? I can tell you my experience using TV as a learning tool. My first foray into Spanish language programming was with a telenovela called Alguna Vez Tendremos Alas which roughly translates to One Day We Shall Have Wings. If you've never watched a telenovela - it's equivalent to what's known as a soap opera or daytime drama in the U.S. i.e. Days of Our Lives. A big difference is that Mexican telenovelas don't run for years. They have a definite beginning and end. While Days of Our Lives has been going strong for 60 years, the telenovela I starting watching featured 130 episodes in its international version. I'm pretty sure I watched all of them.

Even though I couldn't understand that much when I began watching - I picked up on the characters, and started to get the drift of the storyline. What I found helpful was the "day to day" routine moments that are played out in most telenovelas. Like when the orchestra conductor is meeting with people in his office - the regular courteous conversation is heard - greeting his visitors, offering them something to drink, having them take a seat, and letting the secretary know that they are not to be disturbed. You're hearing the words...many of which are familiar, but you're also seeing the words being acted out.

So what are some of the things I actually learned from watching telenovelas? Well, I learned a lot of new vocabulary. Like when the pretty, young nanny is grabbed by her mom's evil ex-boyfriend, and she begins to shout, "Suéltame! Suéltame!" Without even looking it up, you're pretty sure it means "Let me go!" And I've never forgotten it, or the many other words that were acted out for me.

The other big bonus is the cultural information you learn. These polite, and more formal interactions, truly reflect the culture of their country of origin - in this case, Mexico. For example, I learned how "Don" and "Doña" are respectful titles given to older men and women. And how, in business settings, it's common to address individuals with titles associated with their profession. One example would be, if you're an architect, you'd be addressed as "Arquitecto" or "Arquitecta," depending on your gender. And, generally, if you hold a Bachelor's degree, you'd be addressed as "Licenciado" or "Licenciada," and, for sure, if you're an attorney.

Long story, short - It's worth giving it a try. I recommend that you find a Mexican telenovela and watch it for 30 minutes a day. You'll be surprised at what you learn, and I'll be surprised if you don't get addicted.