The past seven months have been hard for me. I’ve essentially been “social distancing” before it was cool. I haven’t really wanted to form relationships with people since being back stateside. Honestly, it’s been very hard coming home. I planned to continue writing about traveling, but it just hurt too much to think about not having that life anymore.
Since we are all confined to our houses and other dwellings now, I had an idea the reignited my desire to write. In my opinion, watching foreign TV is such a good way to learn and practice a new language. Spanish is my go-to and I am comfortable watching without subtitles now, but I love watching shows from other countries, too. I surprise myself with understanding some words or realizing the English translation is not an exact translation.
Watching foreign TV is also a great way to experience other culture and other countries from our own beds or couches. Even though we’re not allowed to travel to new places right now, we can still experience these different cultures from our homes. I’ve compiled a list of shows that I have watched and can recommend to both practice language skills, as well as being transported to a new world.
Spanish
Élite
This had been on my list since it came out two years ago. My students really liked it, but I didn’t know if it was targeted toward my demographic. Finally, right before season three was released, it appeared on my Netflix account to watch. I decided to go ahead and try it out.
Boy, it was incredible. It was a lot racier than I had thought, so sometimes I was a bit shocked that my former 14-year-old students were watching this. Still, it gripped me. The story takes place at an exclusive private school in Madrid. Three students are granted a scholarship to attend the school after their public school fell down. They are then thrown into dealing with the class divide that separates them. If that weren’t enough, we are also shown a murder at the end of episode one. Throughout the series, the episodes are spliced with the interrogations, trying to give clues as to who may have done it.
What I like about this series is that there are also a ton of accents on display. Of course, the main accent is Castilian Spanish, but you will also hear Mexican, Chilean, and other regional accents of Spain, too. I was a bit concerned when I couldn’t understand one of the characters very well. Then, I learned he was from Málaga. Even Spanish people can have a hard time understanding that accent!
This show is perfect for those of us who were obsessed with Gossip Girl. If you like Riverdale, this is in the same genre, but honestly, it’s better than Riverdale.
Chicas del Cable (Cable Girls)
Chicas del Cable takes place in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Spain. Spain is transitioning from a monarchy to a democratically-elected socialist government. Women are gaining more independence, but there are still things holding them back. In this series, four girls start working at Telefónica, the national telephone operator for Spain. They start becoming more independent, while forming lifelong friendships. Of course, there are false identities, hidden pasts, and love triangles.
I initially was drawn to the show because three of the main characters were on another show I enjoyed. Blanca Suárez, Yon González, and Martiño Rivas form a love triangle in this show. However, about ten years ago, they were on another show called El Internado, where they go to a boarding school. Sounds a bit like Élite, but they are very different. Strange things start happening. It used to be on Netflix, but it no longer is. If you can find it, it’s an interesting watch. Also, one of the girls in the latest (and final season) of Chicas del Cable is a small child in El Internado. That surprised me!
A warning, sometimes Chicas del Cable can seem a bit overdramatic, but it does tackle issues that have previously been unheard of in Spain. If you don’t know too much about modern Spanish history, well, they like to hide their past, especially in relation to Franco. This show touches on some of these topics. The one thing I will say that takes me out of the show is the modern, usually English, music playing in the background. I wish the music had more of a 20s feel.
Honorable Mentions
I could name Spanish TV shows all day. Gran Hotel is one I enjoyed that gives of Downton Abbey vibes and also stars Yon González from Chicas del Cable. They made a Mexican version of this, and recently, there was a modern American version, but I’m going to assume that didn’t do very well. If you love some cheesy drama, check out Velvet and the sequel Velvet Colección that takes place in a high-end fashion house in Madrid in the 1950s. I never got around to watching the full series of Ministerio del Tiempo and it has since been pulled from Netflix, but that involved historical figures coming to the modern time. If it ever comes back to Netflix, I’ll be sure to check it out.
Portuguese
3%
I started the first few episodes of 3% last year, but then things got in the way and I never ended up finishing it. The problem with foreign-language content is you have to be paying attention 100% or you’ll miss something. I can lose attention quite quickly. One day at work, I needed something to do to pass my time and I decided to start watching 3% again. Wow.
The series takes place in the (perhaps not-so-distant) future when society has broken down and everyone lives in an extreme state of poverty. At the age of 20, residents of the “Inland” (O Continente in Portuguese) get an opportunity to live a better life on “the Offshore” (O Maralto). They must pass a series of tests to enter the Offshore. Only 3% end up passing. Think Hunger Games, but less murder-y.
What really got me about this show was that my opinions on the characters were constantly changing. Is this person good? Is this person bad? Is there good and bad? After season one, I was wondering how they would continue, but they make it work so well. I don’t want to give too much away, but this is such a great show. Plus, I was able to pick up on some Portuguese. I studied a little bit of Portuguese in college and this refueled my interest in learning the language. You’ll get to learn some slang and improve your listening skills!
Currently, there are three seasons, but we are all eagerly anticipating the fourth and final season to be released hopefully sometime later this year.
The Circle Brazil
Earlier this year, I became obsessed with The Circle US, and then later the UK version, too. It is such a dumb premise: eight people live in isolation in an apartment and can only communicate via a social media platform called “The Circle”. But not everyone is who they seem.
If you loved the American version, definitely check out the Brazilian version! It’s interesting to hear the way people talk from all over Brazil. I seem to understand the people from the North best. I’ve also learned some Brazilian slang. Did you know that Brazilian people laugh saying “kkkkk” and “huashuahuas” on the Internet? It’s a great way to learn about culture, as well.
French
Aux Service de la France (A Very Secret Service)
While I understand Portuguese and Italian well enough, French is a language I just can’t wrap my head around. Even though a good portion of me is genetically French, I just have never really loved the language or country. Yet, I LOVED this show.
If I’m honest, I started watching the show because Hugo Becker (Louis from Gossip Girl) was in it. I didn’t know much about the show before watching it either, only that it was about spies during the Cold War. Then, it surprised me: it’s a comedy! You often hear the stereotype about how the French think of themselves as superior, and you’ll see them poke fun at this on the show. It was a refreshing take on the French persona. I loved watching the characters take credit for defeating the Nazis and just being so self-absorbed.
It was also a great history lesson. Being set during the Cold War, a lot has to do with the Russians, but I also learned about Algeria’s quest for independence in the early ‘60s. With this show, we are taken around the world and learn about some history we might not have known about before.
There are two seasons available on Netflix. Will there be a season three? It’s not clear at the moment, but I truly hope so.
Italian
Luna Nera
This was a strange one. It turned out to be a little different than I expected, and it probably isn’t a show for everyone. However, if you are interested in period pieces and learning Italian, it’s worth checking it out. Plus, if you don’t like it, it’s only six episodes long.
Luna Nera takes place in the place between medieval and Renaissance times where science is becoming more commonplace, but the people still fear witches. Witches are shunned, and after Ade is accused of killing a baby being born, she finds her life increasingly difficult. Meanwhile, she falls in love with a medical student whose dad just so happens to be the head of the witch hunting faction.
Like I said, it’s definitely not a show for everyone. It wasn’t a show I felt like I had to binge watch. Yet, it’s still good to hear and learn some Italian. Perhaps, Gammorah is the better option. I personally haven’t watched this show myself, but I have heard very good things, especially if you love crime and gangster shows.
I know I have only touched a few languages, but it’s a great starting point. I plan to watch more foreign-language TV in the future. Are there any other shows that you would recommend?
Enjoy an adventure while being confined to your house!
