The process of learning a second language depends as much on your determination as it does on using the right techniques. But finding the right resources to improve your second language can be overwhelming. There is an abundance of resources and techniques on the Internet. This is why we recommend you chose a particular technique for each skill. For instance, if you need to improve your Spanish listening comprehension skills, watching Spanish TV shows is a great option. Plus, it’s entertaining!

The Best Spanish TV Shows to Learn Spanish

The Best TV Shows and Series to Learn Spanish

In the first part of this article, we explain some of the most effective methods of boosting your comprehension through watching TV shows.

I’ve found this technique amazingly effective since it allows you to combine something you enjoy with a way of familiarizing yourself with the sounds and grammar of other languages. In fact, a few months ago I met a Polish girl who told me that when she was little, she used to watch Colombian telenovelas with Polish subtitles. She easily learned pronunciation and new grammar suited to day-to-day conversations. When I heard her speaking Spanish I was really impressed—she had almost completely lost her Polish accent!

Below you will find some Spanish TV shows and series we’ve picked out to help you improve your listening comprehension in Spanish. Some of them are telenovelas, the most common tv shows in Latin America. (If you’re not familiar with the concept, they’re like sitcoms or soap operas, but are far shorter and come to a complete end.) Others on this list are comedies, and yet others are more dramatic and grapple with social issues.

 

Available on Netflix

El Inocente

the-best-spanish-tv-shows-to-learn-spanish-mosalingua

[Spain 2021 – 8 episodes – Suspense/Thriller – Trailer]

An accidental killing leads a man down a dark hole of intrigue and murder. Just as he finds love and freedom, one phone call brings back the nightmare.

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Velvet

the-best-spanish-tv-shows-to-learn-spanish-mosalingua

[Spain – 2016-2020 – 4 seasons – Romantic Drama/Period Piece – Trailer]

In 1950s Spain, the heir to a fashion house romances a beautiful seamstress who works for the company, despite the objections of his family.

 

Las Chicas del Cable

Photo of four women in 1920s clothing walking between two trains in a rail yard.

[Spain – 2017-2020 – 5 seasons – Romantic Drama/Period Piece – Trailer]

In 1920s Madrid, four women at the National Telephone Company ring in revolution as they manage romance, friendship, and the modern workplace.

 

Valeria

the-best-spanish-tv-shows-to-learn-spanish-mosalingua

[Spain –  2020-2021 – 2 seasons – Comedy/Steamy – Trailer]

A writer in creative and marital crises finds support from three friends, who are also discovering themselves. Based on novels by Elisabet Benavent.

 

Un Bandido Honrado

the-best-spanish-tv-shows-to-learn-spanish-mosalingua

[Colombia – 2019 – 63 episodes – Comedy/Quirky – Trailer]

A near-death experience spurs a feared drug lord to leave behind his life of crime and infidelity, to the disbelief of everyone close to him.

 

Frontera Verde

Image of a woman bathing in a pool surrounded by jungle.

[Colombia – 2019 – 8 episodes – Drama/Mystery/Thriller – Trailer]

When a young Bogota-based detective gets drawn into the jungle to investigate the murders of four women, she uncovers magic, an evil plot, and her own origins.

 

La Flor Más Bella

the-best-spanish-tv-shows-to-learn-spanish-mosalingua

[Mexico – 2022 – 10 episodes – Comedy – Trailer]

This quirky series tells the story of Mich, a confident teenager determined to be accepted among the popular crowd at her Xochimilco high school.

 

El Robo del Sieglo

the-best-spanish-tv-shows-to-learn-spanish-mosalingua

[Colombia – 2020 – 6 episodes – Crime/Thriller – Trailer]

In 1994, a team of thieves plans an ambitious heist to steal millions from Colombia’s Bank of the Republic. Inspired by true events.

 

Contra las Cuerdes

Image of two women and a girl sitting on a couch. One woman is in full lucha libre costume.

[Mexico – 2023 – 10 episodes – Comedy/Drama – Trailer]

After her release from prison, Angela tries to regain her daughter’s respect. Because of her daughter’s love for lucha libre wrestling, Angela takes an opportunity to enter the ring in disguise.

La Casa de Papel

the-best-spanish-tv-shows-to-learn-spanish-mosalingua

[Spain – 2017-2021 – 5 Seasons – Drama/Thriller]

El Profesor, a very mysterious man, imagines, organizes, and carries out the biggest robbery ever attempted: infiltrating the Royal Mint of Spain and printing and stealing nearly 2.4 billion euros over the course of 11 days. He hand-picks the eight best robbers in the country and trains them for two months before the heist.

 

Classics (Other Websites)

El Chavo del Ocho 

the-best-spanish-tv-shows-to-learn-spanish-mosalingua

[Mexico – 1971-1980 – 8 seasons – Sitcom/Comedy]

This timeless sitcom is broadcast in both Latin America and Spain. It is the most watched Spanish TV show in Latin America, reaching an average of 91 million daily viewers. Each episode shows the adventures and misadventures of El chavo (Mexican for kid). El chavo is an orphan from a disadvantaged background who always gets into trouble when playing with other kids from la vecindad (lower-class neighborhood).  El chavo is a cheeky yet innocent kid, so in the end, he’s the one who takes the fall for the group.

Language specifications: Perfect for intermediate-level learners and above. The dialogues are short, and the characters don’t speak too quickly. You will hear a lot of Mexican slang, but that shouldn’t be much of a problem as you will get used to it over time.

You can purchase the DVDs here: El Chavo del Ocho on amazon

 

Yo Soy Betty la Fea

the-best-spanish-tv-shows-to-learn-spanish-mosalingua

[Colombia – 1999-2001 – 169 episodes – Telenovela/RomCom]

This telenovela was added to the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010 as the most successful TV series of all time. Yo Soy Betty La Fea is one of the most famous Spanish TV shows of all time. 28 countries around the world have developed adaptations of this show, and 180 have broadcast it. The American version, Ugly Betty, produced by actress Salma Hayek, is one of the most popular. The story is about Beatriz Pinzón, an intelligent young woman who recently got her master’s degree and is on the hunt for a job.

Eventually, she becomes the personal assistant to the CEO of Ecomoda, a leading fashion retail company. She is overqualified for the job but takes it on nonetheless after being rejected at previous interviews. Potential employers chose more attractive candidates over her. To be honest, Beatriz is not a “pretty” woman, but she is sweet and truthful. For that reason, her sexist boss and coworkers demean her throughout each episode.

Language level: This series is geared towards intermediate and upper-intermediate learners. It’s a great way to learn some vocabulary related to the workplace and the fashion industry. The characters don’t have strong accents, and they don’t speak much slang either. You can watch Yo soy Betty la fea on YouTube.

 

Les Luthiers 

the-best-spanish-tv-shows-to-learn-spanish-mosalingua

[Argentina – 1970s-80s – Shows/Musical]

Les Luthiers (French for musical instrument makers) are a very well-known Latin American music and comedy group. These guys are a class act, and their numerous Spanish TV shows are full of refined humor and musical skits. Hence their name, they play a homemade instrument each episode, in homage to their fictional character, Johann Sebastian Mastropiero. Sadly, Mastropiero lacks any real musical talent. Sad as it may be, Mastropiero’s failures are a spring of inspiration for the group. The guys poke fun at him in their acts, and it eventually leads them to world recognition and fame.

Language level: Once again, these shows are best for intermediate and advanced learners. The comedians speak slowly and very clearly. They’re perfect for learning vocabulary related to music, history and social aspects of modern and older times. You can purchase their DVDs here: Les Luthiers on Amazon. You can also watch them on YouTube.

 

Spaniards in London 

Spaniards in London Spanish TV shows cast

[Spain – 2014 – 5 episodes – Web series/Comedy]

This is the first Spanish web series produced in the UK. Spaniards in London is about five Spaniards trying to start a new life in the UK. The episodes focus on their experiences learning English and finding housing, jobs and new friends, all the while trying to keep in touch with their loved ones back in Spain. You can watch the episodes here: http://spaniardsinlondon.com/

Language level: This web series is perfect for beginners since it will help you to develop your comprehension skills. I found it particularly useful because each episode has dialogues in Spanish and English (50/50). The show also features English subtitles when the characters speak in Spanish and vice versa, so you will not be completely lost. If your Spanish level isn’t that great, the subtitles are a great plus. You can practice your pronunciation and grammar by memorizing the dialogues.

 

Malviviendo, Vida Universitaria, Calabozos and Other Web Series

Web series are a new and interesting option to watch independent series. Typically, episodes last around nine minutes. They are a great supplement to Spanish TV shows and keep you practicing throughout the day without devoting a lot of time sitting in front of the television.

As we mentioned before, finding the best Spanish TV shows to practice your language skills can be overwhelming. Luckily, there are web series in nearly every genre: comedy, drama, romance, suspense, and even horror. If you are interested in watching other Spanish web series, you can find 50 of them on this website: http://ounae.com/webseries-espanolas-online-imprescindibles/

I hope you enjoy some of the series and have taken this opportunity to learn more about Hispanic culture as well.

 

El Hombre Sin Nombre, a Web Series by MosaLingua!

Addicted to series? Do you also want to learn Spanish? We have great news for you! We developed our very own gripping series, and it’s completely in Spanish. Not only that, but it’s addictive (thanks to powerful cliffhangers) and best of all, it will help you improve your Spanish. Throughout the series’s 27 episodes, you’ll work on your Spanish listening skills, broaden your vocabulary, and learn some essential grammar and conjugations.

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