Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish

Destinos has been a grueling experience. Endowed with a exceptionally boring plot, the show attempts to drag on this atrocity for as long as it can. OF course it is the producers right to create stuff like this, but to forcefully coerce a innocent student body to endure the travesty is a crime. My teacher, senora C, is a perpetrator. Although she lacks the physical characteristics of a presentable human species, she nonetheless possesses all the possible flaws in human nature. Now despite her homeliness, the school has forced us to remain in her proximity for an hour a day. By merely observing her countenance, one is prone to become nauseous. Every Friday, when we are mercifully granted a reprieve from her discordant voice and UGLY face, we are instead subjected to the cruel monotony of Destinos. Such blatant torture of students may not violate human laws, but they violate higher laws: those of God and morality. This is all the time I have, so I'll curtail my critique.

Beginners and intermediate students need to hear lots of comprehensible input to develop their listening skills (which in turn will contribute to developing speaking skills). The problem is nearly all programs in Spanish are simply to advanced (regular Spanish language shows for native speakers) or often too easy - shows like Extr@ geared to total beginners and too short (13 episodes) to take you very far. Even though it is now 28 years old, it fills a need not filled by any more recent production by providing a nice mix of Spanish comprehensible to the beginner advanced beginner and Spanish still challenging for intermediate student. It does this by mixing very clear, simple, distinct narration and speaking directly to the camera with standard, albeit somewhat simplified dramatic dialog between characters, and context, with lots of repetition. More advanced students can fast forward through the 4 or 5 minutes of review at the beginning of each episode of they like. It would be nice if someone would make something newer that does what this does but it the meantime, I recommend it highly. I learned a lot of Spanish from it. Anyone studying Spanish on their own should check it out. It's free online.

I started watching Destinos last year when i was seventh grade. I hated the thing with a passion. But this year I'm realizing that it does teach Spanish and despite what others may say, I think it's extremely entertaining. Yeah, that acting sucks and it's cheesy in the most annoying way, but it's funny. It's not supposed to be, but, come on, I don't a single person who didn't laugh some time during the show. The only problem with it, is all the repeating. It will show you the same scene what feels like hundred times. You end up practically memorizing the lines. But,nothings perfect. All in all it's pretty fun to watch and it teaches you Spanish. Eh, works for me

OK, I admit it: I love this series. There, I've said it. Sure, it's a cheesy soap opera. But it's a cheesy soap opera that teaches you to understand the language. And it does this job very well, and even enjoyably.

I've read the whole range of comments about this series. Let me deal with each objection one at a time:

Poor plot: As an actual telenovela, it probably fares pretty poorly. However, it seems to me that it's not fair to compare it against programs designed primarily as telenovelas. This is primarily a LANGUAGE LEARNING TOOL. It just happens to take the form of a telenovela, in fitting with the goal of introducing the viewer to Hispanic culture as well as language.

Cheesy: What telenovela isn't cheesy? If you want cheesy, try Rubi or Tres Mujeres.

No budget: Unfortunately, the authors of these comments know nothing about TV/movie production. Filming on location is insanely expensive. And Destinos does it effectively - I honestly want to visit most of the places they filmed.

Raquel's horrible wardrobe: While I agree that her "clown suit" is a little over-the-top, she was pretty fashionable for 1991. Something to think about: ten+ years from now, if you consider yourself fashionably-dressed, what you're wearing today will look as bad as Raquel's wardrobe does today.

Sleazy characters: Luis is supposed to be greasy. Jorge is even worse. But Arturo - a sugar daddy? He's trying to show Raquel his affection in the only way he knows how.

Boring: I think this comment pretty much sums up my view on the series. If you're engaged primarily in mocking, you will be bored. If you accept Destinos for what it is and actually learn from it, I guarantee you won't be bored. You may even learn to love it like I have!

Sure, everyone in our class pretends to hate "Destinos," and I'm sure our Spanish-speaking foreign exchange student is comatose through these things, but I think they're rather fun. The story itself could probably have been played out in a half hour, but they drag the plot out so much it keeps you in suspense. I seriously care what happens to Raquel in the next episode, though it's rather frustrating in how roundabout a way they choose to present the story. One mustn't forget these are, above all, educational, rather than taut thrilling dramas, and they serve the former purpose quite well. I think they really have helped to improve my Spanish, especially my listening skills.

And they're funny. They're not really supposed to be, but they are -- like any soap opera, the acting is bad and the story is a little overdramatic. Throw in Raquel's hideous outfits, the ineptitude of the characters, the repetitiveness, and the number of episodes that are entirely about food or numbers, and you've got some wonderful opportunities for mockery -- and I don't say this disparagingly; it's endearing how cheesy it is.

So, if you're a Spanish teacher or just someone who'd like to improve their Spanish listening skills, I'd give this series a thumbs-up. If you're looking for real entertainment, I'd look for a real telenovela. ; )