U.S. soap operas, such as “The Young and the Restless” and “Days of Our Lives” have been entertaining millions of viewers across the country for over 40 years. However, soap operas from across the ocean have been catching the attention of EHS students.

Spanish classes, levels two, three and four, have incorporated three popular Spanish soap operas into their curriculum this year at EHS, and it is making a huge impact.

Junior Lulu Singh, a Spanish III student currently watching “Velvet,” has broadened her Spanish knowledge by following along with the English subtitles.

“I learn Spanish by memorizing and hearing it repetitively, so when we started watching ‘Velvet’ I instantly began to catch on words that were being used often,” Singh said.

Junior Michael Taplin, who is also watching the same show as Singh, has enjoyed learning the style of Spanish they speak in Spain that is not taught here (such as the “vosotros” form of a verb).

“It has improved my knowledge from not learning their language from Spain,” Taplin said.

Students in Spanish IV do even more than just watch the show once a week.

Senior Kent Roberts watches “Teresa” with only Spanish subtitles. His teacher then incorporates the show into classroom activities.

“Sometimes we have to write sentences describing what happens in the show and using the vocabulary she gives us,” Roberts said. “Then the tests always have a couple sections about the soap opera.”

Senior Nickie Cashdollar is also a student in Spanish IV, but watches “Grand Hotel.” It has changed her perspective of the Spanish language.

“It’s not just a language on paper anymore. It’s modern culture and it connects us to people all the way across the world,” Cashdollar said.

Spanish IV teacher Mrs. Harris appreciates how the soap operas have made students more comfortable with Spanish in the real world.

“…students have mentioned that as they listen to Spanish dialogues and they try to understand, they feel less intimidated in the real world to try to understand because previously people spoke really fast and they just shut down,” Mrs. Harris said.

Senior Jane Russo has found that by becoming more comfortable with “real-time” Spanish, her desire to travel has increased.

“International travel has always sparked my interest,” Russo said. “…now that I’ve watched Spanish soap operas I think it would be cool to visit a Spanish speaking country, preferably Spain, and practice using the Spanish I know in a real situation.”

Spanish III and IV teacher Mrs. Beck is pleased with the overall positive student response has pleased.

“…I get excited when I see kids get excited about learning and so when the kids are hearing Spanish and writing answers in Spanish at the same time,” Mrs. Beck said. “They want to go home to watch more episodes at home, even though they don’t have to, in their free time and that makes me very happy.”