7 Polish Youtube channels to check out
It’s said so often it’s almost a cliché – listening is one of the most important activities when you’re learning a new language. And the amount of listening one needs to truly feel comfortable with new sounds usually exceeds what’s available in the classroom, especially when it comes to relaxed listening at one’s own pace. Luckily, thanks to YouTube, anyone can surround themselves with spoken Polish – but it’s such a vast resource, so where to start? And how to be sure the youtuber you’ve found speaks clear, standard Polish, not ridden with common mistakes that some native speakers make? Well, for starters, you can check out my list below:
This is a home and gardening advice channel, so even beginners may come across some familiar words. You can expect recipes, DIY, product reviews and more. Newer content comes with Polish subtitles, so you can combine listening with reading.
Fitness and health channel by a physical therapist, so you can pick up some exercises even if you don’t understand much of what Kornel says. Not only for gym enthusiasts.
AIAGI – the channel’s former name – stands for Architecture Is a Good Idea and the content is mostly about that, but also about urban planning and occasionally about paintings, with some advice on real estate on the side. Lots of beautiful objects to look at and you can also get some ideas for trips, even if the vocabulary feels rather advanced for your current level. A playlist of their productions in English and with English subtitles is also available.
Popular science presented in a mostly light-hearted way. Talks, mini-documentaries, occasional interviews and book recommendations. Expect complex concepts explained with funny animations. Many of Kasia’s films are subtitled, some even in English.
Another channel that combines sharing knowledge with entertainment – this one touches upon subjects ranging from history, linguistics and social sciences to biology. The author, Radek Kotarski, has a dry sense of humor and his own unique way of speaking, sometimes leaning towards literary style.
If you’re ready for something longer to watch, here you can find recommendations of Polish films (many videos on this channel were recorded in English as well as in Polish). The channel’s creator, Agnieszka Tambor, is a very experienced teacher of Polish and a film expert.
A group of very talented vocalists and actors creating Polish covers of (mostly) musical theatre hits. Rhythm helps you remember new structures and you may get a feeling of nostalgia (Disney!), however lyrics can be a little tricky sometimes, because of the metaphores. Still, it’s perfect if you want to become more familiar with the overall sound of Polish.
Of course, this is only a fraction of quality content available – I hope one of those channels will be a starting point for your own discoveries and you’ll find videos that will catch your interest and motivate you to understand more. Or maybe just playing some Polish videos in the background will make your daily activities more pleasant? – that would be great as well.
Stay curious and powodzenia!