DVDs in English for 2-3 yr olds?

[AuldAlliance]

I have been wondering about using DVDs to provide a second source of English for DS (nearly 2), as he really only hears me speaking it, apart from odd visits from relatives.
This involves buying a TV, which I'd be prepared to do, in spite of a slightly anti-TV tendency in our house, if it would help his bilingualism. I'd probably not plug in the aerial, so use it just as a screen for DVDs rather than as a TV.
What do people reckon? I think he's still a bit young to be watching stuff (3 seems a more reasonable age to me) but I'll have to put scarce pennies aside for a TV, so need to plan in advance. Are DVDs a good language source? From what age? Any recommendations?
TIA

English as a second langage is available in the muzzy dvds range here

Thanks Roskva.
I saw some Muzzy stuff years ago and didn't like it much, though I'm prepared to give it a second chance.
I was thinking more along the lines of DVDs English-speaking children would watch and enjoy, rather than something geared to learners, IYSWIM.
Thanks though...

Where are you AA?

I'm in Provence.

I'm in spain and you can buy dvds like the tweenies here with both languages on.

DS is 4 and DD is 2. We don't watch TV at home but I have been using DVDs for about 3 years for the reasons you mention (and to get a break!)
Maisy's Farm is very popular with DD - short episodes. She likes the Fimbles too.
DS started getting into Thomas the Tank Engine when about 2.6
Balamory is available on DVD too.

My daughter is 2.4 and has been watching DVDs, mostly of Maisy but now also Winnie the Pooh, Little Polar Bear and Angelina Ballerina, since she was about 20 months. She watches no TV at all but like you I wanted to increase her sources of English. What's great about Maisy and Angelina is that you can buy the books as well and the two reinforce each other. My daughter has certainly learnt plenty of vocabulary from watching them and I prefer putting her in front of a DVD than in a garderie when I want some peace and quiet.

Thanks for those suggestions: I'll check them out.

Yes, the Maisy books are great. It's handy that she's translated too. She's known as Mimi la souris in France.
DS is a big Thomas fan and none of his French classmates have heard of him. They're all into Spiderman and Dora.

get sky then he can watch english tv all day long

I'm not sure that's the point. That was a joke, wasn't it?

Personally I think 2 is a bit young too, going by my 2yrs dd who will only sit for max 10mins in front of a dvd - of any description. I think if they're not used to tv from a very early age then it may be too soon. I just try and make sure I read lots of stories in english to mine. Difficult to know before they start talking properly if they're getting "enough" of their 2nd language iyswim.

You don't need to get a TV - we don't like them either - we've got DVD players in the PC and laptop for watching films. We are ml@home English and ML Spanish. I buy DVD's from Amazon (put search results in order of cheapest first and you might find something good and cheap) or borrow ones from the local library which have an English soundtrack option and copy them (yeah, i know, i know but ...)
DD1 3.5 yo likes: (in no particular order)
Dumbo
Pinocchio
The Rescuers
Maisy
The Clangers
Bagpuss
Fimbles
Tweenies
Peter Pan
Percy the Park keeper
Mary Poppins
Balamory
Portland Bill
The Jungle Book
Button Moon
The Sound of Music
Cbeebies- Your Chance to Dance

theres a new channel with programs that seem better then dvds, they are shorter, on SKY channel 626. its really sweet. they also have childrens songs on there. and it airs 24/7

that channel also has a website with neat games and activities

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions.
We don't have satellite, since we don't have a TV.

I wondered whether it might not be better to get a TV than for him to watch DVDs on the laptop, because the screen is so small and you have to sit up close to the laptop. And the sound on mine is a bit rubbish.

I think I'll wait a bit longer, as I'd first thought, and then try out some of the things other people's kids like. Since he's not v interested in TV, I'd rather not cultivate an interest at this age.

Thanks again everyone!

Hmm,my sister brought up four kids in Provence,all of whom speak perfect English without ever having needed English dvds and so on.
You will be more than enough AA.

You could certainly just buy the cheapest cheap portable DVD player rather than a TV. I'd recommend it, in fact, since my daughter loves pushing buttons and tends to trash expensive technology.

Your daughter DEFINITELY needs multiple sources of English in order to learn and progress. The great thing about DVD (like books) is that you have total quality control. Just don't buy the trashy ones. I also have CDs of songs and nursery rhymes because despite all my good intentions I'm not very good at remembering to sing to her unless I get a prompt too (and she's not wild about the sound of my singing voice, whcih I don't entirely blame her for).

er yes, was joke. don't worry not really advocate all day tv for 2 yo

most dvd's bought in mainland europe will be in several languages, inc english, so you'll have th option of both french and english. Mine sometimes want to watch in german, sometimes english, they are older, so like to watch a film with friends, in which case obv. the german. Maybe a portable dvd player would be a better idea, then it can also be used for long car journeys

DVDs bought in France are much more expensive than in UK. Even at WHSmith on rue de Rivoli are less than 50% of price at FNAC, and they still have multiple languages. I think that Amazon.co.uk is generally the cheapest source.

but then the disadvantage is they'll probably only be in english, wheras I've found it extremely advantageous to have in both languages. mayber amazon.fr, if there is one?

most dvd's I've bought in UK are only in English.

al dvds bought in switzerland are in muliple languages.

That's nonsense Anna.
For a start,English is hardly an obscure tongue.The issue seems to be shielding people from its pervasive influence rather than finding ways to expose them to it.It is bloody everywhere.

Secondly,millions of people the world over (myself included) have acquired a native tongue by speaking it with only a handful of people.

What do you think went on in the days before dvds?????

I meant to add yes, I've brought my kids up in another country and they speak english perfectly ok. You might want to look at playgroups or something. Or go on holiday where you'll know there'll be english speakers. at the end of the day, you'll be enough for her, amd real communication is much more valuable than cds, dvds, etc, but then, they all have their place and will be fun as well as educational.

No Ernest, all the DVDs I have bought from WHSmith and on Amazon.co.uk have 7 or 8 languages on them, including English and French. Whereas the ones at FNAC are only in French (and cost EUR 18.5 versus 8.5 at WHS). I think that you have to check on a case by case basis, just need to be aware of the huge potential variation in price and language combinations.