Dish and its virtual MVPD Sling TV have introduced a new educational channel to help customers interested in learning English as a Second Language.
The HD channel, Inglés Para Todos, is included in all DishLATINO subscribers’ programming package, and Sling TV’s Best of Spanish TV service, at no additional cost.
“We are constantly looking for new ways to best serve our audience and there is no question that English proficiency is a bridge to prosperity and empowerment for many Latinos in the United States,” says Alfredo Rodríguez Diaz-Marta, VP of DishLATINO and Sling Latino, in a statement. “We are proud to build upon our 20-year history of supporting the Hispanic community with the launch of Inglés Para Todos.”
Dish says that a survey conducted earlier this year of more than 1,000 customers found more than 70 percent of respondents indicated they would like to build their English vocabulary using an ESL TV channel, while 85 percent said movies and entertainment options were the most appealing way to learn English.
The channel features both classroom-style educational content as well as movies and documentaries, spanning proficiencies from beginner to advanced. Customers can also access the content on demand and via the Dish Anywhere app.
Dish says it’s the first pay-TV provider to launch a channel dedicated to helping viewers improve their English skills.
A teaching-focused TV channel may be a new way for customers to learn, as a recent survey from CivicScience found that while there are dozens of language learning apps out there, awareness and use in the U.S. is low. According to CivicScience 76 percent of respondents either had no interest in using language learning apps like Duolingo or Babbel, or were not aware they existed.