I finally just finished my first series on Netflix in Spanish, Gran Hotel. It was stretched over months, since I started during the school year. I only watched little chunks, sneaking in part of an episode, if baby boy decided to take an after school nap. It was worth the wait and a really great show. I picked it knowing I could continue to watch Iván from my beloved El Internado, Yon González, now as Julie Espinosa. If you are looking to work on your own Spanish or possibly use the show in class, make sure to change the subtitles to Spanish using this post. Check out the trailer below for a taste of the show.
Gran Hotel starts in 1905 Spain and focuses around a wealthy family who owns a lavish hotel. The many characters range from maids, to wealthy guests, to detectives, who always have a new mystery to solve. You can learn more about the show at antena3 – Gran Hotel &
IMDB – Grand Hotel. Even though the episode count is wrong on IMDB, there are actually 66 episodes in the 3 seasons, each about 60 minutes long.
It would make for a great show for upper level Spanish students to watch since the suspense, mystery, and romance would keep most students interested. You would want to see if you think it would fit your students, since I would give the show a PG-13 rating due to some swearing, sexual content, and drinking. Below I have collected a few resources that could be used to supplement the show.
Family Relationships
There is an awesome guia interactiva from the Antena 3 website shows how all of the characters are related, but beware of spoilers telling who dies! Below is just a small piece showing the Alarcón family, which would be great to teach family relationships.
a small snippet of the guia interactiva of all characters |
Travel
The show was filmed at the actual Palacio de la Magdelena in Santander, Spain. Students could investigate the past and present Palacio, or base a travel unit about going to Santander. Here is a website in Spanish about how to spend 2 days in Santander.
Palacio de la Magdelena image source |
More Gran Hotel resources for class
Season 1 Wiki – with episode summaries in Spanish, photos & videos
antena3 – Gran Hotel – official website with tons of special features
This year I think I will stick with El Internado as a class show, but I will be keeping Gran Hotel on the back burner as a future possibility. I will however, be recommending Gran Hotel to students as a choice homework option. Have you seen the show? Do you plan on using it in class? If you do, please share resources in the comments!
Update – Now that this is not available, I would suggest Go! Vive a tu Manera in Spanish class
Or here are 10 Appropriate movies for Spanish class & Binge-worthy Netflix for Spanish Teachers & more Binge-Worthy Netflix shows in Spanish
Allison Wienhold of Mis Clases Locas has a decade of experience as a #deptof1 secondary Spanish teacher in Iowa. She enjoys creating curricula using novels, films, and music. Allison provides professional development to World Language teachers, including being the keynote speaker at MALT and Comprehensible Iowa, and workshop presenter at dozens of state & regional organizations, school districts, AEAs, and virtual conferences.
Amanda says
Love love LOVE this show! I started watching on a whim and got completely addicted– even my husband couldn't stop watching (but I had to put on the English subtitles for him ^_^)
I agree with you that it's definitely for an older/higher level class. This year I'll be teaching 6th graders, so it's a no go in my classroom. Any suggestions for a series that would be age appropriate for them?
Good job getting your husband to watch it! Mine won't watch anything with subtitles.
I have heard good things about the series "Mi Vida Loca" for younger students. I have never tried it myself but I know a lot of other Spanush teachers have. Let me know if you end up using one for your students!
Thanks! I've watched a few episodes of that (the BBC show, right?) but I've never taught with it either. Maybe this is the year 🙂
Hi, this is Mike Peto from http://mrpeto.wordpress.com
I am looking for a new Spanish-language show that is not on Netflix… I am really worried/resigned to the fact that English subtitles on El Internado will limit its usefulness as a whole year activity (although I might still have a small unit introducing the show and getting them hooked so that they watch it on their own). Anyways, if you have any ideas, I would love to look into new shows. Doesn´t have to be extremely school appropriate…
Hi Mike!
When I studied in Spain, I liked watching a show called Física Química. It was set in high school and I think students would really like it! Thank you for reading! -Allison
I watched this series this summer – did you buy it or are you watching it from Netflix? If you buy the DVDs as are available on Amazon, they do play on our computers? Thank you so much – I have really been thinking this would be a great interesting show to put in front of students and I thought it was very decent as well.
I watched it on Netflix. I have bought DVDs from Spain in the past & they play on my computer. Let me know how it goes with students!
Hi, I've been using Gran Hotel in my upper levels and it's going great. I just heard Netflix is dropping it in 2 weeks.
I have heard that as well. You can always contact nexflix with a request to keep it. Or you can buy the DVDs!
Are there any activities or worksheets that go with each episode the help students understand what it?