Language Learning with Netflix: How to Use the Chrome Extension (2024)

Have you heard about language learning with Netflix software? It’s making life easier for language teachers and students around the world.

This Google Chrome extension takes the concept of “learning languages by watching movies” to a whole new level.

Language learning with Netflix builds on the idea that the best way to learn a language is by listening to it. This method has been recommended for years. Watching videos or listening to music in the language you’re trying to learn is a powerful way to improve your language skills.

The novelty here is the amount of useful tools that do exactly that, while making the most out of watching your favorite movies in Spanish.

In this post, we’ll discuss how you can improve your language skills by watching movies in Spanish; just what this “language learning with Netflix” software is, how to download it, and crucially, how to use it.

Learning Languages by Watching Movies

Can you really learn a new language simply by watching movies? Well, it’s not that simple. Research has shown that listening is the key element to effectively learning a language. By watching videos or movies in Spanish, for instance, you learn new vocabulary, idioms, and grammar patterns unconsciously.

That’s why, if you’re in the middle of your language learning efforts, it’s ideal to immerse yourself in your goal language. Make everything around you in Spanish, from your phone and Netflix account to the podcasts and playlists you listen to.

Doing this provokes you to think in Spanish and expose yourself to the speed and accent of native Spanish speakers.

What’s Language Learning with Netflix?

Language learning with Netflix is the acclaimed Google Chrome extension that helps you tolearn a new language while watching movies.

Also known as LLN, this tool allows you to watch films and series in foreign languages with two sets of subtitles, one in the original language and the other in your own language. LLN currently works in 17 languages and, yes, Spanish is one of them.

How to Download Language Learning with Netflix

To download language learning with Netflix, all you need to do is go to the Google Chrome Web Store and search for it. Or simply click here. Once on the LLN download page, click on the blue “Add to Chrome” button. It will install itself on your Chrome browser.

You’ll be automatically directed to an instructions page that explains how to set it up according to your needs.

Language learning with Netflix has been featured in Wired, The Verge, and The Guardian, among others. It’s been downloaded over a million times. Rest assured that LLN is a reliable software and your computer won’t be at risk by downloading it.

How to Use Language Learning with Netflix

The first thing to understand is that language learning with Netflix works as an extension to your Google Chrome browser. An extension is a software program in your browser that’s designed to enhance your user experience. This means that language learning with Netflix will only work in your Chrome browser. If you don’t have it yet, you can download it here.

Once you have downloaded Google Chrome and the language learning with Netflix extension, the first time you open Netflix it will ask you for your native language. For the purpose of this post, I chose English. Then it will ask you to turn off some Netflix tests that could interfere with the way LLN works.

Now, all you have to do is to choose your desired film or series in Spanish (I chose Money Heist). When it starts running you’ll see the learning languages with Netflix features all around the video.

Click on the settings icon on the top right hand corner and adjust the settings according to your needs. The original audio was (European) Spanish due to Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) being a Spanish show. I set the Netflix subtitles to (European) Spanish and the translation language to English (Human Translation).

Free Trial or Pro Version Features

You can sign up for a free trial of the pro version of language learning with Netflix. This allows you to choose between human and automatic translation. Each has its benefits. Automatic translation translates every spoken word as pronounced, while the human one interprets idioms and expressions. I don’t recommend using both, as it becomes overwhelming to read so many subtitles. Depending on your specific needs, choose the translation that fits you better.

The image below shows how the automatic translation can be selected once you sign up for the free trial.

On the settings menu, you can also select to show a mini-dictionary, highlight specific vocabulary according to your level of Spanish, change the reproduction speed, and save a specific subtitle.

Overall, language learning with Netflix is an easy-to-use software that provides a greater amount of language and subtitles control in movies and series, and other useful features to help you improve your Spanish while having fun enjoying your favorite Netflix shows and films.

Use LLN as a Tool to Improve your Spanish

Although language learning with Netflix is a great software to help you work on your Spanish, it’s important to note that as most language learning hacks, watching movies is just another useful tool (among a wide array that complement each other) to help you learn a new language.

Developing your listening skills is important, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to work on your speaking, writing, and reading skills, too. Homeschool Spanish Academy uses a comprehensive approach that takes the four language learning skills into account, with a strong focus on speaking and listening.

What are your favorite strategies for learning language through movies? Let me know in a comment!

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