Watching TV shows or movies in your target language can be a good idea, but what is the best way to watch? Do you use subtitles? Or do you just try and follow as best you can without?
In this blog I will cover the basics of using TV to learn a language.
When starting out it's best to pick something you know well, a film or TV programme you have seen many times, something you enjoy. It's easy especially as a beginner to fall into using subtitles in your own language, this is fine as long as you are listening and taking in the language but in the majority of cases you will end up just reading the subtitles and not focusing on the language. This is why I say pick something you already know well then try and watch without. You already know what's going to happen and you can follow the language easier picking up new vocabulary and grammar rules.
Another tip for beginners is to watch children's TV, there are loads of English kids TV shows dubbed into languages on YouTube, they are slow enough to follow without the need for subtitles, the language is basic and because this is also how children learn their native language they are easy to follow with pictures and scenary to help.
As you become more advanced you could change the subtitles to your target language again stick to films and TV programmes you know and follow along with both, eventually losing the subtitles altogether. Again same rules apply try to actively listen to the language used rather than following the subtitles, otherwise your just reading a book in your target language and not focusing on the pronunciation, the speed and the rhythm of the language.