You'll never become fluent in Spanish by studying grammar rules. Watch these TV shows instead to enhance your Spanish.
The staff and teachers of the Instituto Cultural Oaxaca have carefully selected their favorite TV shows to help you improve your Spanish skills.
100 años de Soledad
We begin with a TV show about Gabriel García Márquez’s 100 años de Soledad, a novel that won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. The series follows the Buendía family’s multi-generational story, exploring themes of love, solitude, political upheaval, and magical realism. Its rich narrative and compelling characters bring to life Márquez’s masterpiece.
Key points for Spanish students:
Colombian Spanish: The series is set in Colombia, exposing students to the accent, slang, and cultural references of the region.
Vocabulary: A mix of formal and everyday vocabulary, as well as terms related to politics, family dynamics, and magical realism.
Listening Practice: The dialogues vary in tone and complexity, helping students practice understanding conversational and narrative Spanish.
Cultural Immersion: Learning about Latin American history, culture, and literary traditions is a great way.
Secreto en el Rio (Netflix)
Secreto en el Río, a suspenseful Latin American drama, explores the mysteries of a small riverside community. A suspenseful Latin American drama, delves into the mysteries of a small riverside community. The show combines thriller, drama, and social commentary, engaging viewers in the characters’ lives shaped by their environment. A secret death witnessed by two boys in a small Oaxacan village forges an unbreakable bond between them. Twenty years later, the childhood friends reunite, confronting their shared past and facing new trials that test their friendship. The show expertly blends elements of thriller, drama, and social commentary, creating a gripping narrative.
How do you practice Spanish with this TV show?
Regional variations of Spanish: The show features accents and idiomatic expressions typical of the Oaxaca region, including accents and colloquial expressions.
Conversational and emotional tone, from intense moments to casual dialogue.
Vocabulary Expansion: The plot introduces words related to mystery, crime, relationships, and nature, enriching a student’s thematic vocabulary.
Cultural Insights: Viewers gain a glimpse into the traditions, beliefs, and challenges of life in rural Oaxaca, deepening their understanding of Mexican culture.
Madre Sólo Hay Dos (Netflix)
This lighthearted Mexican dramedy revolves around two women, Ana and Mariana, who couldn’t be more different but are brought together by an unusual twist of fate: their babies were accidentally swapped at birth. As they decide to co-parent, their clashing personalities lead to hilarious, heartfelt, and often chaotic moments. The show explores family, friendship, and identity themes, all while keeping a humorous tone.
How can students practice Spanish with this show?
Everyday Mexican Spanish: The series is a great resource for learning colloquial expressions, slang, and conversational Spanish typical of Mexico.
Family and Parenting Vocabulary: Students can pick up terms related to parenting, relationships, and household dynamics.
Tone and Humor: The show helps students understand humor in Spanish, including wordplay, sarcasm, and situational comedy.
Cultural Perspectives: It offers insights into modern Mexican society, family structures, and how traditional and progressive values can collide.
La Casa de las Flores
La Casa de las Flores is a dark comedy-drama about the wealthy De La Mora family, who runs an upscale flower shop. Beneath their perfect exterior lies a web of secrets and scandal. With its sharp humor and telenovela-inspired twists, the show explores love, identity, sexuality, and family dynamics in the vibrant Mexican culture.
This is how you can practice Spanish with La Casa de las Flores.
Mexican Spanish: Familiarize yourself with accents, slang, and idiomatic expressions.
Emotional and Dramatic Language: Hear dramatic dialogues and emotionally charged conversations typical of telenovelas.
LGBTQ+ and Progressive Vocabulary: Learn about gender, sexuality, and family diversity.
Cultural Nuances: Gain insight into Mexican upper-class lifestyles, societal expectations, and traditions.
Alguien tiene que morir (Netflix)
A Spanish miniseries is an emotional and intense drama in Spain in the 1950's. The story begins when a young man from a wealthy and conservative family, Gabino, comes back from Mexico after ten years abroad—bringing his friend Lázaro, a ballet dancer. The arrival of Lázaro sparks suspicion and scandal, unraveling deeply buried family secrets and exposing the oppressive social norms of the era. The series is a gripping exploration of love, identity, and the brutal consequences of prejudice.
Enhance your Spanish speaking skills:
Castilian Spanish: The dialogue features clear examples of the Castilian accent, helping students distinguish regional pronunciation, such as the "th" sound for "z" and soft "c."
Formal and Polite Speech: Students can learn formal expressions and structured language reflective of mid-20th century high society in Spain.
Cultural and Historical Vocabulary: The series introduces terms and phrases related to Franco-era Spain, societal norms, and political repression.
Emotional Language: The intense drama includes expressions of anger, fear, and love, providing practical listening practice for understanding emotions in Spanish.
Thinking about your New Year resolutions. Another way to practice Spanish and get a cultural immersion is through our tertulias; starting in January, you can join our weekly tertulias. During January, we will practice Spanish with the life and work of Frida Kahlo.
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