TV series are a great way to gain exposure to a language and culture. Make sure to check out my post on 5 free ways to become the ultimate active listener in order to turn your viewing time into effective learning sessions.
Streaming services have expanded our access to foreign-language programmes but the increase in choice can make it hard to choose what to watch. Here’s a list of sources and programmes I highly recommend for all learners.
Beginner – anything from Walter Presents
Walter Presents is a video on demand service of UK’s Channel 4, which features foreign-language recommendations accompanied by subtitles in English from a man called Walter Iuzzolino. Iuzzolino set three criteria for selection:
1) The show must be popular in its native country
2) It must be “award-winning or already critically acclaimed”
3) It must have “the finest writing, directing and acting that each country has to offer…something worth our time as viewers”
As you’ll see from the selection below, a lot of the shows are murder mysteries, which will keep you watching til the last minute! Murder mysteries are great for beginners because a lot of the story gets revealed by music, characters’ facial expressions and other non-verbal cues.
Intermediate – Lupin
Disclaimer: in France, Lupin is very much considered to be a show that caters to an international audience and so it’s not particularly popular here, despite Omar Sy being considered a national treasure! Don’t let this stop you enjoying it though; I for one find it really good fun.
Being a visual delight and rather light-hearted, the dialogue is sometimes sparse and often very simple, so why not try watching it with French subtitles on?
Intermediate – Les 7 Vies de Léa
What at first appears to be just another teen drama turns out to be a gripping time-travelling adventure, with some hard-hitting lessons delivered along the way. I binged this series in 2 days and would watch it again and again!
Advanced – Call My Agent
Called Dix Pour Cent in French, Call My Agent is hugely entertaining thanks to its stellar recurring cast and the amazing cameos. Sigourney Weaver and Monica Bellucci to name a few.
Super-advanced – The Hook Up Plan
Called Plan Cœur in French, The Hook Up Plan is frankly a ridiculous story that will nevertheless have you hooked for its absurdity! I say that this as for the ‘super-advanced’ learner because it gives you a fantastic exposure to slang French (argot).
You’ll hear discussions of “la bouffe” (food), “la thune” (money) and “le taf” (work – from travail à faire). This is something worth watching with subtitles in French, wordreference.com open and a notebook for all the slang you’ll acquire!
Have you watched any of these? If so, what do you think of them? Do you have anything else you’ve seen lately and loved? Comment below!
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