Do you think you can learn a significant amount of Fench just from watching TV5 (French TV)??

Question

As you might be aware from previous questions I am currently learning French..

in England we get the French language channel TV5 , what I wanted to know is do you think it is possible to learn a foreign language or significantly improve your understanding just by watching television in that language?

has anyone significantly improved their knowledge of any language ( doesn't necessarily have to be French) in this way?

do you think it is a usefool tool for improving your foreign language proficiency, watching Tv in that language?

Answer 1

I have a very good tip for you also put the subtitles on you would learn it much better.

Wish you good luck.

Answer 2

Any opportunity to experience a language your are learning is a good one.

Several years ago, I learned to speak Dutch and made excellent use of Dutch newspapers, Dutch music (preferably with a lyric sheet) and watching films in English but with the Dutch subtitles on.

I have learned quite a bit of both French and Hindi by watching films with (and without) English subtitles and listening to music.

I am currently based in Germany and all of the television programs are in German, even things like the Simpsons.  And there are NO subtitles!  I have learned so much just by listening and watching peoples actions and expressions;  faster even than having subtitles I think.

Go for it.  Even if you only get one out of every 100 words to start with, you'll soon find you understand much more.  Listening to native speakers will help you later when it's time to get out there and use what you've learned.  After all, there's no point knowing how to ask a question if you can't understand the answer!

Answer 3

I think watching TV5 will definitely help you in your learning process. You will get familiar with different accents and a wide range of vocabulary.

I'm French and when I moved to Ireland 10 years ago I only had a very basic school level in English. I couldn't even differentiate between an Irish, a British or an American speaker!! At the beginning I watched loads of DVDs in English with English subtitles as it is easier to understand a foreign language when reading it. I also read books like the Famous Five or Secret Seven to get more and more vocabulary and now I can even tell if an Irish person is from Kerry or Donegal ;-)

Answer 4

I'm Polish, have learned English for some time over here - in Poland, after that i went to US for 6 months - that help me a lot.

Now the best way not to forget the language is to watch CNN for example. By watching TV you will not learn a lot but it reminds you some words you would forget without TV, it also helps you learn the right accent.

Answer 5

it's always a good thing to hear native speakers speak. So TV5 can be a useful tool, but it will never be as good as actually speaking with french people.

Answer 6

Yes, of course! I learned Spanish, English this way!