However, if you can understand, at a push, what’s going on and what’s being said (you won’t necessarily catch every word), then don’t use them. I personally prefer not to use them, but if they make the difference between understanding the gist of what’s going on and having no idea, use them. Spanish subtitles, on the other hand, have their use (more on that below). I find it very motivating to watch Almodóvar films, and if you need the English subtitles to follow them, then so be it! Spanish TV and film comes into its own when you’re listening to and comprehending the original language, rather than following a translation.Īs a doorway into the culture, on the other hand, TV and film are incredibly useful. It might help a little, but at this point I don’t think it’s the most effective thing you can do from a purely language learning perspective.

If you cannot understand enough to get the gist without English subtitles, switching them on isn’t going to help your Spanish much. One of the most common question we hear is whether or not to use the subtitles. Of all the available media, TV and film are the most engaging forms, particularly if there is a plot we can follow, and we are interested and invested in the characters (anyone for a telenovela?).

Spain movies with english subtitles