In the April 10th edition of La Nación there was an article about the benefits of watching soap operas called telenovelas or culebrones. According to Jorge Ignacio Covarrubias, the secretary of North American Academy of the Spanish Language, telenovelas enrich and spread the Spanish language. They help increase the viewer’s vocabulary, teach new ways of saying things and improve channels of communication.

Telenovelas seem to be the opiate of the masses in Latin America. Most television stations show at least four to six of them per day. Spanish soap operas are even becoming popular in other countries where the are dubbed into different languages.

On thing is for sure. If you are serious about learning the Spanish language there is no better vehicle. Once you have a basic Spanish vocabulary you should be able to get the gist of what the characters are talking about in any soap opera. By watching telenovelas you will be exposed to dialogue from everyday conversations which is how the language is really spoken. Your ear for the language will aslo improve. The more soap operas you watch the better you will speak Spanish. Continue to use courses like the Rosetta Stone, www.livemocha.com and Pimsleur but supplement them with telenovelas.

Retirees and others who move to Costa Rica will discover learning Spanish is a life-long hobby and the most effective way to immerse themselves in the local culture.