Learning a new language has never been more fun and interactive, especially with tools like Aprelendo. By adding YouTube videos to your Aprelendo account, you can transform casual video-watching into an immersive learning experience. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced learner, this method allows you to listen to native speakers, explore different cultures, and practice vocabulary with real-life context.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step guide to adding YouTube videos to Aprelendo, explain why this technique is effective, and share pro tips to maximize your learning. Let’s dive in!

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Why Use YouTube Videos for Language Learning?

YouTube offers an unparalleled opportunity for language learners. Here’s why:

1. Listen to Native Speakers
   Watching YouTube videos allows you to hear how native speakers naturally pronounce words, phrases, and intonation patterns. This is crucial for improving your listening and speaking skills.
2. Explore Diverse Cultures
   Whether it’s a cooking tutorial, a documentary, or a comedy skit, YouTube videos often reflect the culture and values of native speakers. This helps learners understand cultural context, idioms, and non-verbal cues.
3. Control Playback Speed
   You can slow down the video to catch tricky phrases or speed it up to simulate real-life conversations.
4. Reinforce Vocabulary in Context
   Hearing words in full sentences helps you connect vocabulary to context, which improves retention.
5. Learn Anytime, Anywhere
   YouTube videos can be accessed on any device, making them a flexible tool for busy learners.

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Step-by-Step Guide: Adding YouTube Videos to Aprelendo

1. Alternative 1: Add the Video Manually

First, log in to your Aprelendo account at www.aprelendo.com. Then, click the green “Add” button and select “YouTube video” on the dropdown menu to proceed.

Once you are on the page to add the video:

• Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want to add.
• Paste it into the “Source URL” field on the Aprelendo website.
• Click the “Fetch” button.
• Verify that the video preview loads correctly and that the video’s Title and Author (usually the YouTube channel) are correct.
• Click the “Save” button to add the video to Aprelendo.
• Once added, the video will appear in your “Shared Texts“ section on Aprelendo.

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2. Alternative 2: Add the Video with the Browser Extension

Aprelendo also offers a faster and more convenient way to add YouTube videos: through its browser extension. This method is ideal if you want to save a video directly while browsing YouTube, without switching back to the Aprelendo website. Here’s how to do it:

2.1 Install the Aprelendo Browser Extension

If you haven’t already installed the Aprelendo browser extension, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Aprelendo Extensions page.
2. Download the extension for your preferred browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge).
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install and activate the extension.

2.2 Access the YouTube Video

1. Open YouTube and navigate to the video you want to add to Aprelendo.
2. Check that the video has subtitles in your target language (created manually, not auto-generated).

2.3 Use the Extension to Add the Video

1. With the video open, click on the Aprelendo extension icon in your browser toolbar.
2. A dropdown menu will appear, showing the list of supported languages.
3. Select the language you are learning.
4. The “Add YouTube video” page will load
5. Verify that the video preview loads correctly and that the video’s Title and Author (usually the YouTube channel) are correct.
6. Click the “Save” button to add the video to Aprelendo.
7. Once added, the video will appear in your “Shared Texts“ section on Aprelendo.

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3. Benefits of Using the Browser Extension

• Speed and Convenience: You can add videos to Aprelendo in just a few clicks without leaving YouTube.
• Seamless Integration: The extension automatically imports the video title and details, saving you time.
• Enhanced Productivity: This method allows you to instantly capture content while browsing, ensuring you never miss a great resource.

By using the browser extension, you’ll streamline the process and focus more on what matters—learning!

4. Handle Potential Errors

If the video doesn’t include subtitles in the desired language or relies on auto-generated captions, you’ll see an error message. This is because auto-generated subtitles are not supported due to their inconsistent accuracy. While they’re helpful for getting a general sense of the video’s content, they’re not ideal for serious language learners.

Suggestion: Use the Filmot Search Engine

Filmot is a specialized search engine that helps you find YouTube videos with manually created subtitles. Here’s how to use it:

1. Go to Filmot.
2. Enter your target language (e.g., “Portuguese subtitles”) along with a topic or keyword (e.g., “história”).
3. Browse through the results to find videos that meet your requirements.
4. Copy the URL of the desired video and add it to Aprelendo using the browser extension or the website.

Filmot is particularly useful because it filters videos by subtitle quality, ensuring you find resources that are accurate and learner-friendly.

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Extra Tips for Maximizing Learning with YouTube Videos

1. Choose Videos That Match Your Interests and Level
   • If you’re an intermediate learner, start with short, simple videos on familiar topics. Channels like Learn English with Bob the Canadian, SpanishPod101 or Learn French with Alexa cater specifically to learners.
   • Advanced learners can challenge themselves with documentaries, interviews, or stand-up comedy in the target language.
2. Find Channels with Consistent Subtitles
   Many creators who add accurate subtitles to one video will likely subtitle their entire library. Follow these channels for a reliable learning experience.
3. Use Active Learning Techniques
   • Pause frequently to repeat phrases aloud.
   • Write down new vocabulary or idioms you encounter.
   • Test yourself by covering the subtitles and trying to understand by listening alone.
4. You can’t learn what you don’t understand
   Use Aprelendo’s built-in dictionaries & AI tools to look up unfamiliar words directly within the app.
5. Watch with a Purpose
   • Set specific goals, such as understanding 80% of the dialogue or focusing on the use of verb conjugations.
   • Rewatch the video after a few days to reinforce what you’ve learned.
6. Practice pronunciation with echoing and shadowing
   • Echoing: Pause the video after a sentence or phrase, and repeat it aloud as closely as possible to how the speaker says it. Focus on mimicking their intonation, rhythm, and pronunciation.
   • Shadowing: While the video plays, speak along with the speaker without pausing. This method helps you practice fluency and sync your speech with natural rhythms of the language.
7. Practice your listening comprehension & writing skills using the video as a dictation exercise
   • Listen to a section of the video without looking at the subtitles or the video itself. Focus purely on the audio.
   • Write down what you hear, doing your best to capture the words, phrases, and sentence structures.
   • After completing the exercise, compare your transcription to the video’s subtitles.
   • Pro Tip: Start with short, simple sections if you’re a beginner, and gradually move on to longer or more complex parts as your confidence grows.
8. Use the Feynman technique: after mastering the vocabulary, challenge yourself by summarizing its content in your target language. This will reinforce both your listening comprehension and written communication skills.
9. Test your vocabulary retention with flashcards
   Head to the “Study“ section of Aprelendo. This feature allows you to review vocabulary extracted from the video subtitles. You’ll encounter the words in various contexts and can test yourself to reinforce your understanding.