10 Foreign Language Cartoons to LOL Your Way to Fluency

10 Foreign Language Cartoons to LOL Your Way to Fluency 10 Foreign Language Cartoons to LOL Your Way to Fluency Mickey and Minnie.Tom and Jerry.Fred and Wilma Flintstone.Some couples go together naturallyâ€"kind of like cartoons and language learning.Okay, so they might not sound as cutesy together as your favorite cartoon couple, but cartoons and language learning pair beautifully.Sure, you can learn a language by watching movies  of the live-action variety or watching all kinds of TV, but if youre a kid or kid at heart, theres nothing quite like cartoons to get you some much-needed listening practice.And luckily, there are plenty of foreign language cartoons to choose from! Below, well look at 10 cartoons in popular foreign languages that you might want to add to your learning repertoire. Why Watch Foreign Language Cartoons?First of all, foreign language cartoons tend to  use easier language than other authentic language resources, so theyre perfect for beginners. Whether youre a child or an adult, the language wont overwhelm you, and cartoons can be an easy step towards more advanced list ening practice.Plus, cartoons usually offer plenty of context clues if you cant understand all the language, making it easy for you to keep watching even if you miss a few words.Finally, foreign language cartoons are usually short and cute, so motivating yourself to watch isnt hard. They can fit into any schedule, and youll probably enjoy your listening practice.Types of Foreign Language Cartoons to Consider WatchingClassic story cartoonsSome cartoons aim to tell classic tales, like legends and fairy tales. These cartoons can be a fun way to learn more about culture as you improve your language skills.Purely entertaining cartoonsSome cartoons are designed for the sole purpose of entertaining. These cartoons often aim at humor and usually offer a faster pace than other cartoons. Luckily for language learners, these cartoons are tremendously beneficial for learning, providing you with an exceptionally fun way to practice your listening skills.With FluentU, you can make entertaining ca rtoons (as well as other authentic media like news, music videos, movie trailers and more) the core of your regular learning routine, regardless of language level. FluentU takes real-world videos and turns them into fun, personalized language learning lessonsâ€"with interactive subtitles, quizzes, vocab tracking and other useful toolsâ€"for kids and adults alike.Educational cartoonsMany cartoons are designed to be educational. Educational cartoons are often designed to teach preschool-age children basic vocabulary.However, there are also cartoons designed specifically for students learning a foreign language. For instance,  Muzzy BBC  offers language learning cartoons (along with accompanying songs, activities, games and more) in seven different languages. While these resources are intended for children, they can also be useful for any beginning student.How to Get the Most Out of Foreign Language CartoonsIf subtitles are available, use them strategicallySubtitles may be available fo r some cartoons, and its important to use them strategically to get the most out of your cartoon viewing.If youre just starting to learn a language and dont yet know the vocabulary, you might turn English subtitling on so that you can find out what the characters are saying.Once youve studied a language, though, try not to look at the English subtitles. If you have them on at all, just glance down if you miss a word.Additionally, if subtitles are available in your target language, jackpot! Reading subtitles in your target language can help you connect the spoken and written words and help you understand what words youre actually hearing.Watch oftenDaily exposure to your target language is useful, and cartoons are excellent tools for this since theyre usually brief. Whether you watch in one sitting or multiple times throughout the day, the more you listen to your target language, the less foreign it will sound.Dont hesitate to rewatch your favorite episodesIf one episode is particula rly good, go ahead and watch it again. Or watch it again and again. Or even again and again and again, if youre into it. The more you watch it, the more likely you are to memorize the vocabulary. You might even memorize some of your favorite lines, which you can use as models to help you remember grammar rules.Watch little snippets whenever you have a few momentsCartoons usually arent hard to follow, so theyre one of the few resources you can easily break into tiny chunks. Whether you dont have time to watch an entire cartoon in a chunk or simply need a resource to fill in any spare moment, watching snippets from cartoons can give you the benefits of listening practice in a more flexible format.Talk back to the charactersCartoons often move slowly enough that there are pauses in dialogue. Use these pauses as opportunities to get a little speaking practice in by talking to the characters. Talk about what theyre doing, give them some advice or tell them what you think of them.10 Forei gn Language Cartoons to LOL Your Way to FluencyArabic:  ??????? ????? ??????There are plenty of great  Arabic cartoons  from all over the Arab world, but “??????? ????? ??????” (The Parrot Learns to Spell) is a particularly good option for language students.This Kuwaiti show from 2007 is designed as an educational series, aimed at teaching children Arabic. Because of this, its a great tool for Arabic students to use to learn the alphabet, pronunciation and basic vocabulary.The story itself revolves around a parrot family in which the mother is teaching her son about the Arabic language. Along the way, they encounter other characters that include a dictionary and letters of the alphabet.Episodes are usually around 10 minutes each. The production company, Magic Selection, has conveniently uploaded 29 episodes onto YouTube, so theres plenty of learning material for you! Still cant get enough? Check out Magic Selections YouTube channel for more cartoons, including series that cover numbers, nature and more.Chinese:  ?????If youre looking for a great  Chinese cartoon, look no further than ????? (Big Ear Tutu).????? is a Chinese cartoon produced by Shanghai Animation Film Studio that debuted in 2004. The show is popular with the preschool set, so the vocabulary is relatively simpleâ€"perfect for beginning Chinese students!The main character, Hu Tutu, is a boy with a strong imagination, an inquisitive mind and comically large ears. In most episodes, he has adventures and/or setbacks and learns valuable lessons with the help of his parents.French:  Petit Ours BrunIf youre a fan of  French cartoons, youre probably already familiar with  Petit Ours Brun (Little Brown Bear). If not, its high time to check it out.Petit Ours Brun  is a French classic. It started in 1975 as a series of stories in a magazine. Then, there were  Petit Ours Brun  books. In 1988, the firstPetit Ours Brun  animated series began, followed by a second animated series in 2003. In 2016, the stori es even spawned a live musical comedy,  Petit Ours Brun â€" Le Spectacle  (Little Brown Bear â€" The Show). Needless to say, Petit Ours Brun  is popular.All of the stories follow the life of a young brown bear as he struggles with standard issues preschoolers encounter as they grow up. While  Petit Ours Brun  is aimed at preschoolers, its a good option for all early language learners because it uses simple language and focuses on common scenarios.The animated series, produced by Groupe Bayard (Bayard Group), has been translated into five languages. Between the two series, there are over 50 episodes. The linked video is a compilation of several episodes.If you still cant get enough Petit Ours Brun,  you can also check out  the official Petit Ours Brun page  for more information and activities.German:  Piggeldy und FrederickIn the world of German cartoons,  Piggeldy und Frederick (Piggeldy and Frederick) hogs a lot of attention.Piggeldy und Frederick  is a West German series that ran from 1973-1985. During that time, over 100 episodes were produced. In the early 1990s, an additional eight episodes were created.The series follows two little pigs: Piggeldy and his big brother Frederick. Piggeldy is adventurous and asks a lot of questions, which Frederick aims to answer, setting each episode into motion.If you like Piggeldy und Frederick,  there are also books  and  audiobooks, though theyre mostly available from resellers.While Piggeldy und Frederick is a great choice for beginning students looking to learn basic vocabulary and improve their listening skills, more advanced students might want to look at  German cartoons for advanced learners.Italian:  Winx ClubThere are lots of great Italian cartoons  out there, but few are quite as magical as Winx Club.Winx Club, produced by Rainbow S.r.l. and Rai Fiction, follows magical teenage girls tasked with defending the universe from dark forces.Winx Club premiered in 2004 and still airs today.  There are over 180 episode s, each of which is about 23 minutes long. The series is also popular internationally, airing in over 150 countries and spawning countless toys, games, books and movies.Winx Club uses more advanced language than some cartoons, so it probably isnt best for complete beginners. However, since Winx Club has aired in the United States, you might also be able to find English-dubbed versions of the same episodes. You can watch the English version first to get an idea of what the episode is about before you dive into the Italian version. This will also help you get a handle on the magical terminology.Plus, two seasons are available on Netflix  and offer audio in English or Italian along with English captions.Japanese:  ?????Japanese cartoons  are well-known internationally. After all, who doesnt love  anime? And for language learners, this creates an abundance of learning options.One great option for Japanese learners is ????? (Sazae-san). This anime series, which debuted in 1969, was adapt ed from a manga series that debuted in 1946. Since the shows debut, there have been over 2500 episodes, earning the series the Guinness World Record for longest-running animated show.????? follows the everyday life of a Japanese family, including humorous scenarios related to common activities, like working and maintaining the house.Besides its nearly endless content, ????? has a lot to offer language learners. Since it depicts some more traditional aspects of Japanese culture, its a helpful way to learn about history. Additionally, since the plot focuses primarily on everyday activities, ????? can help Japanese students learn common vocabulary words.Korean:  ???? ?????? ?? (Dooly the Little Dinosaur) is a well-known  Korean cartoon.Based on a 1983 cartoon, the animated series first aired in 1987-1988. A new Dooly series began in 2009.The series follows a baby dinosaur who acquired magical powers after being abducted by aliens. Naturally, he was then trapped in a glacier, only to un freeze in modern-day Seoul and live with a human family.The cute, animated dinosaur Dooly is a very popular character. Hes appeared on stamps, and you can even get your own Dooly stuffed animal.???? ?? is a good choice for students learning Korean because its popular in Korea and depicts fairly routine things (other than the magical dinosaur, of course). However, do note that it doesnt always represent the ideals of traditional Korean cultureâ€"the series received criticism for being violent and not portraying respect to elders.For more Dooly content and some reading practice, you can also visit the official website.Portuguese:  Turma da Mônica  When it comes to Portuguese cartoons,Turma da Mônica  (Monicas Gang) is the gang you want to roll with.Turma da Mônica  is an animated series based on a comic by the same name. The comic debuted in 1959, while the animated shorts started to be produced in 1976. The animated shorts were marketed in compilations, though some movies were als o produced. Shorts aired on TV in 1999 with more regular episodes in the 2000s. There are toys, books, video games and even an amusement park based on the series.Stories follow a group of friends in São Paulo. The main characters are usually around seven years old, but in one spin-off, theyre teenagers. Together, they go on various adventures. Since theres a large cast of characters, these adventures cover a wide variety of themes.Because this show offers such variety, its a good choice for Portuguese students as it will expose you to a wide array of vocabulary. Additionally, the show is popular enough that it will provide you with a conversation starter if youre ever looking to strike up a conversation with a Brazilian.Russian:  ???? ? ???????If youre looking for Russian cartoons, theres no lack of options, but  ???? ? ??????? (Masha and the Bear) is particularly useful for Russian students.???? ? ???????, produced by Animaccord Animation Studio, follows a little girl called Masha and her bear friend, appropriately called the Bear. The show has had plenty of international success, being broadcast in over 100 countries and 25 languages. YouTube videos of the series frequently rack up millions (and sometimes billions) of views. The show has also spawned an app (iOS  and Android) and even an  ice show.Episodes were created as seven-minute chunks. However, several of these shorter episodes are often grouped together to make episodes that are around 30 minutes each.Masha is a mischievous girl who lives in the forest. The Bear does what he can to avert trouble caused by her mischief, but he generally doesnt succeed and hilarity ensues.The series is based partly on a childrens folk story, so its also a helpful way to learn about Russian cultural heritage. Theres usually not much dialogue, so the series should be approachable for even early beginners.Plus, ???? ? ??????? is available on Netflix, offering you a wide variety of subtitling options. You can also listen to the English dubbing if you want to compare and contrast. Netflix also offers a spin-off called Mashas Tales,  in which Masha tells traditional Russian fairy tales. This series is more language-intensive, so its good for later beginners and early intermediate students.Spanish:  PocoyóWatching Spanish kids videos  is a legit way to up your Spanish game, and watchingPocoyó (Pocoyo) is a great way to do that.Pocoyó premiered in 2005 and originally used Castilian Spanish; however, due to its international success, you can also find it in many other languages. There have been seven seasons, some of which are exclusive to YouTube. If you still cant get enough of content from this show, you can also find  Pocoyó movies and video games.The show follows a curious four-year-old. The series is intended for preschoolers and portrays things that appeal to kids, like picnics, puppet shows and playing games. These scenarios are also valuable for language learners, however, since they show fa irly routine situations.The episodes were originally seven minutes, though theyre frequently regrouped to make 30-minute episodes comprised of several shorter episodes.The first two seasons are available on Netflix, offering audio in Spanish or English and subtitling in English.If Pocoyó is right up your alley, you might also enjoy the official website, which offers Spanish-language games, videos, activities and apps.So give foreign language cartoons a try, and LOL your way towards fluency. And One More ThingWant more of these? Try FluentU.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, including movie trailers, funny commercials, web series and cartoons, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive Transcripts You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.