Learning Languages with Netflix & YouTube

Content drives enjoyment and success in language learning. It has evolved from teachers, books, tapes, online content including mp3 files, to all the ways we can learn from videos.

0:00 The appeal of video for language learning.
3:54 The LingQ browser extension for making lessons from YouTube and Netflix videos.
4:18 Zero to Hero.
5:13 Learning Languages with Netflix.
5:38 Down Sub.
6:26 How I learn languages with Netflix and YouTube.

Learning Languages From Netflix (now called Language Reactor)

LingQ Browser Extensions
Chrome:

Firefox:

Safari:

Zero to Hero

Down Sub

YouTube to MP3

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My Podcast:

#learnlanguageswithnetflix #languages #polyglot

[Thelinguist]

Video for language learning has the disadvantage that you have to sit there and watch it. But there are new ways to create language lessons from Youtube, Netflix etc. so that you can read and listen whenever and wherever you want.

FREE Language Learning Resources


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Social Media

[marcelorodrigues]

I am so happy to understand the most phrases that he is saying. My English listening skills has improved a lot : )

[carlosalbertoferreirafilho]

Netflix has been my main source of language learning since a long time now, I've lost track of how many times I've watched Grey's Anatomy in both English and French.

[clairegittens]

I think that using the things you naturally do is a great way to study. So while importing into lingq and looking at transcripts is great. Watching tv and movies is great for foreign languages for who already love watching them in their own language. I consciously chose to no longer watch things in English and Japanese anymore and I watch things every day. This extensive passive watching gets my ears super used to the spoken language, so my listening skill is insanely better than any of my other skills. Other benefits of extensive watching include being able to hear things expressed in a natural way, pick up bits of culture, and as Steve mentions, you get a positive feeling and memory associated with the language. It also gives you something to chat about with natives, because if it is a popular show they will probably have seen it.
So, depending on your learning style, you can use watching shows as an intensive or extensive method.

[youssefelmrabet]

I think from my little experience:
Series ( 'cause in series we get repeated vocabularies) for communication.
books for gathering a lot of words.
mini-stories for pronunciation.

[catisgod]

I've been learning Japanese from Netflix for few months, and the results is great!

[darlansilva]

One trick to expand the contact with your target language watching movies and series on a streaming service is selecting audio descriptions as idiom. In this way, all the action will be narrated like an audiobook.

[husseinhashim]

You deserve billions thumbs up, great inspiration for us all, we love you Steve, , peace

[jeff-]

I really like leaning languages on YouTube. I’m right now leaning Japanese. 日本語を勉強しています。

[eeeee]

¡Qué hermosa era para aprender idiomas! Estoy enamorada de todas las posibilidades a nuestra disposición, es solo saber aprovecharlas 🌿🌱🌈😊🏄‍♀️🤸‍♀️ Gracias Steve

[octaviorizo]

I'm english student, usually i use YouTube to inprove my skills but i consider that the most important is watch videos that are interesting for you.

[Paul-ykds]

As I meet people in Thailand, I notice some have much better English than others. I always ask those people what they did to improve their English, and a common answer is that they watched many English TV series. So I do think it really helps. (Other answers include living abroad, dating a foreigner, or having an international job.)

[kevinlai]

I can’t describe how many English words and phrases Joey or Ross or even Sheldon teach me in their tv series, it’s really an amazing journal and feel like home every time I go back to enjoy those shows.

[AG-jfhn]

I wish that streaming services (Netflix), would have the audio and the subtiltes match. English is the only one that has the “closed caption”. If I try french, the french audio and subtitles do not match. I know it may have been provided by different companies, but it would be a game changer if all audio languages had the exact match in the subtitles version.

[marialaudelinadiaznavarro]

Thank you for sharing, Dear Professor. That is really useful.

[stCNt]

Hello Steve!
Thanks for the inspiration you gave me, and also for lingq!
I am Italian and I am try to learn some German for work purpose mainly. But you let me believe it was possible learn a 3rd language eventhough I struggled with English a lot in the past!
Thanks again!
P.s. tanti dei podcast di "alle otto della sera" che so hai apprezzato tanto sono dello storico Alessandro Barbero, che qui in italia ormai è una star della divulgazione. Ottima scelta per le tue lezioni di italiano! (E storia)

[redstickham]

One thing I have found is other countries' TV services have created versions of American shows adapted to their country's culture. Dutch TV for example has Toen Was Geluuk Geel Gewoon, which is a copy of The Honeymooners and Sam Sam, which is based on Man About The House/Three's Company. Using a show based one something you are already familiar with helps.

[augusttinahell]

I'm conviced about learning a language with youtube or netflix, however it depends on the language you learn. I'm learning czech right now, and there are not a lot of videos with czech subtitles. Or if they exist, like with czech television, they aren't supported by any grabbing tools. As netflix and youtube only support about a dozen languages, only the most popular for these on this platforms are a way to use them. This is a dilema and because transcribing by hand is a process that takes a lot of effort, most youtubers and streaming services aren't doing it for smaller countries or communities.
If it is content you really want to understand, this effort might be worth it to transcribe it by yourselve, as trying to transcribe can really boost language learning. But in case of consuming a foreign language to get a lot of input, it's not an option, as it might take several days for just a 30 minute film.
For some languages, like czech, you have some letters that are written different but sound the same, like 'i' and 'y'. Then it's getting even more difficult to find out what is being said...

[belstar]

A big reason why i started learning more languages is because i often got non English recommendations or my search results where not in English i really don't think i would have been learning anything apart from English and maybe french and German because of my region if we where all still living in the pre internet years.

[Tehui]

I've come across some podcasts in my target language a few weeks ago. It's a fantastic resource.