🍿 2 Netflix extensions for language learning

To make your immersion a bit easier

Dear reader,

The hardest parts of comprehensible input are 1. Finding good content to watch and 2. not getting frustrated by the difficulty. I try to watch a lot of Korean shows (80-90% of total watch time), mostly on Netflix and YouTube. I tried a few Chrome extensions to make it easier for me. Here are a couple of good ones I’m still using to this day.

Language Reactor - Multilingual subtitles

I feel like every language learner knows this extension, but I still want to give them a shoutout. This is such a high quality extension that allows for customizable subtitles on Netflix and YouTube. Here’s what it will help you with:

• Find and choose a show in your target language with their catalogue.

Sort by rating, type, genres and countries to find available shows.

• Ease into the language with double subtitles, so you’re not completely lost. I like to pick a huge font for my target language and a smaller one for English.

Here’s my setup looks like. I sometimes blur translations to challenge myself.

• Never feel stuck: hovering over the words will reveal a translation. Clicking will open a full dictionary entry. It even has an option to save new words.

It even detects all occurrences in the current video script.

Film scores for Netflix - IMDB ratings and more

Although the previous extension does provide IMDB ranking in their catalogue, I sometimes find myself scrolling through Netflix to find a new show to watch. This app has made it so much easier by giving me an overall score. It also helped me avoid a few flops in new releases.

This is a great overview to highlight good TV shows.

With these 2 extensions, I find good shows more easily and stick to them for longer. No more going through boring first episodes before giving up. Do you have any tips to find good content for your immersion?

Best,

Lou

✍️ Dear language learner

Here are a few sentences to test yourself. You can add them to your notes or spaced-repetition system if you’d like!

🌱 Beginner

I went to the cinema yesterday.

🌿 Intermediate

A new show came out on my birthday.

🌳 Advanced

My favourite thing is good character development.

Thank you for reading “I heard from Lou”. It can be hard to find people who share your passion for learning. If you have friends who might like this letter, let them know.