How to Conduct the
Experiment
for Yourself
Can I learn a language if I just ... watch TV?
To be fair, this experiment asks that you do a bit more than just watch TV: it challenges you to actively watch what you like, again and again, and then write about it in increasing detail.
In doing so, perhaps you'll have fun while improving your accuracy, expanding your vocabulary and cultivating your ability to self-correct your usage in your target language at your current level.
Cad atá ag teastáil uait:
What you will need
❖ one episode from the last show you've watched
❖ one grammar resource
❖ one bilingual dictionary
❖ a place to take notes
❖ a writing tool
Do Thascanna
Your tasks
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Déan cleachtadh gramadaí.
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Féach ar chuid de na físeáin. Teorainn ama: 30 soicind nó mar sin.
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Déan cur síos ar gach rud a fheiceann tú. Bain úsáid as an bpointe gramadaí.
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Féach san fhoclóir chun focail praiticiúla a bailiú.
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Scríobh do chur síos arís leis na focail nua.
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Ceartaigh to théacs leat féin nó le do mhúinteor(í).
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Tosaigh arís leis an radharc céanna nó radharc eile ón eipeasóid chéanna.
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Do a grammar exercise.
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Watch part of the episode. Time limit: 30 seconds will do.
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Describe everything you see. Be sure to use the grammar rule you've practised.
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Look in the dictionary to collect useful words.
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Write your description again with the new vocabulary.
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Correct your text on your own or with your teacher(s).
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Start again with the same scene or another scene from the same episode.
Cleachtadh breise
Additional Practice
❖ Aistrigh an dialóg, má tá tú in ann. Translate the dialogue if you're up for it.
This may require you to expand your grammar focus to include topics outside of your current level, but only in a direct and limited way.
❖ Scríobh ó thaobh reacaire. Write from a narrator's perspective.
This should allow you to consider how to link your scenes together and develop your style.
❖ Scríobh ais-aistriú scaoilte i do theanga féin. Write a loose back translation in your own language.
This will intentionally highlight the contrast between your writing, vocabulary and grammar skills in a language you know and the language you are learning.
