10 Easy Tips for Using Your Spanish Roku
Dive into culturally rich telenovelas or classic Disney shows with a Latin American twist through your Spanish Roku!
Cable TV is becoming a relic of the past as streaming devices like Roku make it easier than ever to learn Spanish with the push of a button.
What is Roku?
Roku is essentially a streaming device that allows you to download apps and channels to your TV.
Streaming is where you receive constant multimedia through your device while being connected to the internet. Roku uses streaming to provide you with all the same TV shows you love, but without cable!
You simply set up your device, connect it to the internet, and create your account. That’s it!
The Roku device has a one-time purchase price, then the only thing you need to pay for are the streaming services or channels you select.
What Can You Watch Using Roku?
Roku lets you easily stream top free or paid programming from services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Google Play, HBO, SHOWTIME, PBS, and The Roku Channel. You can also access thousands more channels for sports, news, international, and kids programming plus broadcast channels like ABC and CBS. Even major music services like Pandora, Spotify, and Vevo are available through Roku!
10 Tips for Using Your Spanish Roku
There are dozens of benefits to streaming your favorite Latino shows through your Spanish Roku. Here I give you the top 10 ways to learn Spanish just by watching TV! After each tip, I provide recommendations to the most popular Spanish channels to help set you on your way to fluency.
1. Turn on Subtitles
Use English subtitles at first, and then as you get better switch to Spanish subtitles so you can read and hear Spanish at the same time! This should help you notice new vocabulary, expressions, and help you to figure out what’s going on.
Check Out: Innovative Language Spanish
Innovative Language Spanish is the perfect channel for beginning learners. Grammar and phrases are easily broken down into an easily understood manner. The teachers are always native speakers so you’ll get authentic practice in every episode!
2. Stay Consistent
Of course, immersion is the best way to become fluent quickly. However, for most people, it isn’t feasible to pack up and move to Mexico for 3 months. Luckily, you can bring Spanish into your own home using your Spanish Roku!
Surround yourself with Spanish in your daily life by watching your favorite Spanish shows. Consistency is key! Create a routine with consistent Spanish TV time every week so your Spanish is constantly improving.
Check Out: AFV Family Español — The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel has hundreds of fun shows to choose from. You may have heard of America’s Funniest Home Videos before, but you probably didn’t know that you can watch these hilarious episodes in Spanish too! AFV Espanol is a family-friendly comedy for Spanish learners at all levels. Get ready to laugh throughout this Spanish lesson!
3. Don’t Stress the Details
Don’t stress yourself out by trying to remember or understand every single word you hear. Instead, focus on the words you do know and use context to follow along. The most important thing is to keep your Spanish TV time enjoyable. Focus on the big picture and have fun!
Check Out: Love Nature en Español — The Roku Channel
Sit back, relax, and enjoy stoic and fresh scenery with Love Nature en Español. This channel is dedicated to sharing nature’s wonders that exist throughout the globe. Create a deeper connection with the Earth through this channel’s high-quality and stunning content.
4. Re-Watch a Familiar Show
When you first start watching TV using your Spanish Roku, it’s a great idea to pick a familiar show. You already know the plot, characters, and settings, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. This makes it easier to not only pick up new Spanish words, but to also fully enjoy the experience!
Check Out: Pluto TV — Nickelodeon Latino
Pluto TV has hundreds of shows to choose from. For example, Nickelodeon is a popular, fun channel geared towards teens and young adults. Even if you’re outside of this age range, you might have watched Nickelodeon in the past! This makes Nickelodeon Latino the perfect show to play on your Spanish Roku. Stream timeless shows like Spongebob, but this time in Spanish!
5. Spanish Audio with English Subtitles
Spanish audio tailors your ear to become familiar with Spanish sounds and native speaking. However, if you’re still in the beginning stages of your Spanish journey, you don’t want to dive in headfirst. Instead, give yourself a life line with some English subtitles. This way you still get to hear native Spanish without getting lost!
Check Out: Kids TV Español Latino
Kids’ TV isn’t just for children! You can take advantage of Spanish kids’ TV shows and their fun, singalong lessons. These shows are designed for learning, so they’re a perfect way to pick up Spanish without previous experience.
6. English Audio with Spanish Subtitles
Did you know that you can actually use TV to practice reading in Spanish? While you might normally think of TV as a way to listen in Spanish, it can also provide visual aid as well. English audio and Spanish subtitles make for a powerful combination. Read a steady stream of Spanish context along your screen while the English audio ensures you never miss a word!
Check Out: Latino PBS
Latino PBS is not the same as the American PBS channel. This channel has six Mexican networks with programs ranging from news to movies. There’s lots of bilingual programs on numerous subjects so it’s a great choice for Spanish learners.
7. Spanish Audio with Spanish Subtitles
If you’re an advanced Spanish learner, then it’s time to turn off the English completely! Fully immerse yourself with both Spanish audio and subtitles. This fun challenge will give you Spanish listening and reading practice at the same time.
Check Out: Buzz60 Latino
Love a daily dose of the latest news? Switch it up with Buzz60 Latino for a Spanish twist. This channel gives you the latest news stories from the U.S., Latin America and Mexico, all in Spanish. Catch up on current events with a global perspective!
8. Pick a Show that Interests You
There’s no point in watching a Spanish show if you get bored halfway through! You won’t be motivated to pay attention and probably won’t pick much up. Instead, opt for a genre that you normally watch in English. Whether you love action or drama, there is a Spanish show for everyone!
Check Out: Televisión Española
Broadcasted straight from Spain, Televisión Española includes a mix of news, drama, and documentary programs. Practice your Spanish accent and dive into the TV genre that interests you the most!
9. Talk About the Show
Check and see how much you learned from your Spanish Roku adventure by discussing plot twists, funny characters, and stunning settings with a friend or teacher! This way you get to reinforce what you learned and practice your Spanish speaking skills.
Check Out: BIGSTAR Latino
BIGSTAR Latino is another channel filled with amazing Spanish movies and TV shows. Stream international movies and award-winning films straight to your home TV. With over a hundred programs to choose from, there is something for everyone!
10. Just Enjoy the Show!
The best way to learn through your Spanish Roku is to enjoy it! Don’t stress out about learning everything at once or missing a word or two. Instead, grab yourself a warm drink, cozy into your sofa, and put on an exciting show. You ears and brain are getting used to Spanish even if you don’t realize it yet!
Check Out: Sling TV Latino
Pick your regional channel on this streaming service by choosing between Mexico, South America, or Spain! Whether you’re looking for daily Spanish news, a soccer fix, or a dramatic telenovela, Sling TV Latino has it all!
Keep Practicing Spanish at Home!
Supplement your Spanish Roku learning with Spanish classes in your own home! Homeschool Spanish Academy offers personalized Spanish classes with our certified native-speaking teachers that cater to your schedule. Sign up for a free class today and discover why Homeschool Spanish Academy has over 24,000 actively enrolled students.
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