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Subtitles or no subtitles, that is the question


Spoiler : IT DEPENDS !


  • on how YOU learn best

  • on your level

  • on your goals

  • on your motivation and your will



The question of subtitles often comes in two forms

- "My friend told me I should put the subtitles in original version, that's how they were able to learn/progress".


or


- "should I watch subtitles in my native language or in the original language of the video?"


My answer to the first question is "good for your friend! They found THEIR way, they find what works for THEM".


You might fall in the category of language learners for who watching subtitles in Frenc when watching a French movie is a super efficient way to progress. In which case your friend’s advice is great.


But what if you're not? What if that’s not the way YOU learn best? Then you might end up having thoughts such as: "I'm not good at languages" or "My friend is better than me at learning" or "I'll never be able to learn" or "languages is not my thing".




As for the 2nd question, let's take a look at the different options you have when it comes to subtitles: