Member-only story
How to Use Media to Learn a Language
Turn Netflix into a Library and YouTube into a Tutor
Not a member? Read the full post here
Picture this: You’re ready to start studying your target language but instead of a textbook you decide to binge-watch a popular TV show instead. You’re pumped, snacks are ready, and you press play. Five minutes in, you’re wondering if your ears are even functioning — the words fly by, the subtitles don’t match the audio, and your confidence dropped through the floor. Sound familiar?
Learning a language through media can be fun and powerful, but it’s also easy to get frustrated or overwhelmed. The key is to approach it with a game plan. I want to help you use media effectively to study a language as a beginner or low-intermediate learner — without the tears and hair-pulling that I went through. Let’s get to it!
Why Media is a Great Language Learning Tool
Media is one of the best tools for language learners, and here’s why:
- Authentic exposure: You’re hearing the language as native speakers actually use it — intonation, slang, dialects, and all. Textbooks don’t usually teach you how to say something like, “Imma get a coke (meaning generic term for a carbonated beverage, and not necessarily Coca Cola)…
