Learning a new language is an exciting adventure that opens up a world of opportunities.
If you’re learning German, you may have already taken some classes or lessons, but have you considered supplementing your learning with additional tools and resources? Learning a new language can be challenging, but with the right resources, you can speed up the process and become more confident in your language abilities. In this blog post, we’ll explore some additional tools and resources you can use to enhance your German learning experience outside of classes. Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate learner, these resources can help you improve your vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking skills. Let’s dive in and discover how you can accelerate your German learning journey.
Before you start learning, it is critical to establish clear goals and objectives. This will ensure that you remain motivated and focused on your goals. Choose your desired level of proficiency and create a realistic plan to accomplish it.
A lot of students immediately want to know how long it will take to learn a language. And there is nothing wrong with this, as it’s probably one of the first things you wonder about when trying to learn a new language.
Well, let me show you exactly how long it usually takes to learn German on average in a class setting:
A1 beginner ~ 80-90 lessons*
A2 elementary~ 80-90 lessons*
B1 intermediate ~ 100-120 lessons*
B2 upper intermediate~ 200 lessons*
*1 lesson= 45 Minutes (homework and studying outside of classes not calculated in)
Now, how long it will take to accomplish each one of those levels is totally up to the student because it depends on the frequency of classes they are able to have and also on their dedication and motivation.
Be aware that those are the numbers for learning with a teacher, learning completely on your own might take you longer because you will need to figure things out all by yourself, but if you are already enrolled in a course or have a private tutor, there are a lot of things you can do in addition to your classes that will speed up your learning process.
Here is what you can do to achieve that:
1. Make German friends
If you moved to a German speaking country or if you happen to know some German natives in your area, get to know them, socialize with them and encourage them to talk German to you. It will be tricky at first to avoid using English as the easier way of communication, but keep your goal in mind!
You can start by interacting ONLY in German (no other languages or tools allowed) for let’s say 5 Minutes at first, then upgrade to 10 Minutes, then 15,20 and so on.
You could also join a language community, which can give you opportunities to improve your language skills with native speakers and other learners. You can join online language exchange forums, attend local language exchange events, or use language learning services to find a language partner or tutor.
Language communities may also be a great source of encouragement and support because they allow you to share your language learning journey with people who are going through the same thing as you.
2. Watch TV
This sounds like fun, right? Well it’s super efficient as well.
Challenge yourself to watch TV ONLY in German and depending on your level watch it either with subtitles in English or your mother tongue or with German subtitles to help you catch the spoken language, which can be challenging at times.
Watch them at first with subtitles, then try to look away from the subtitles every now and then. Pause and repeat some of the phrases that you have heard and that you would like to learn, write a few new words down and learn the meaning of those words.
Those are some of the things you could be doing to get the most out of watching TV, BUT don’t forget that you should be having fun with this method, so if writing things down as you are watching something isn’t the definition of fun for you, then feel free to just sit back, relax, eat your popcorn and enjoy your movie/show. You will for sure pick up some phrases/ words from context and reinforce your knowledge about certain words and grammar just by watching.
If you don’t have access to German TV shows in your area, here are some German TV Shows specifically designed for learning German that you can find online.
Definitely check out “Nicos Weg” – it is a tv show that starts with the A1 level and ends with the B1 level. It is accompanied with vocabulary lists, grammar explanation, exercises and transcripts for each episode, which is quite amazing.
Another show is “Jojo sucht das Glück”– this is for the B1 level and has all the features as the previous show.
Another show is called “Extra”, it doesn’t have any additional features except for German subtitles, but it’s a really fun show to watch as it’s has the vibe of the American TV-show “Friends”
3. Read German books
This may seem a bit too advanced, buuut what if I told you that you could start out by reading children’s books?
Here are a few different approaches to improve your language by reading.
You could start by reading some German children’s stories. Read the story out loud several times! After reading, translate a sentence/paragraph into your mother tongue and then back again into German and do this back and forth until you don’t have to use the dictionary as much.
Did you learn a useful phrase from this sentence or paragraph? Was there a specific word that you would like to learn here? Write it down and come back the next day for another paragraph or for more sentences!
This exercise will not only help with with your vocabulary, but it will also develop a sense for structuring a German sentence (For example: Where does the verb go, where is the subject etc.)
If however you want to read a whole book it would kill the fun to constantly translate something back and forth, so while reading a book, read one page as a whole and see which words or phrases you need to look up to help you understand what is happening overall, you don’t need to understand every single word. If there is nothing that stopped you from understanding what was said on the page, then pick out – words/phrases that seemed interesting and that you find useful to learn. After you are done with a chapter, write a summary of the chapter using some of the new vocabulary and phrases. After that, summarize it verbally out loud once again. Do this for every chapter and you will be amazed by the results.
Check out my book recommendations for improving your German according to the level you are at right now.
4. Listen to German music
Find some German music that you enjoy, put it on your Spotify list or your iPad, blast it in your car or at home while cleaning and sing a long.
Look up the lyrics to the song and learn the meaning of the chorus for every song that you sing a long.
Here are some popular German singers that you can listen to in order to improve your German language skills:
Cro – A popular German rapper known for his catchy beats and lyrics. His music is great for practicing your listening skills and picking up new vocabulary.
Nena – A famous German singer who rose to fame in the 1980s. Her music is upbeat and catchy, making it a fun way to learn German.
Rammstein – A German rock band known for their heavy metal music and powerful lyrics. Listening to their music can help you improve your pronunciation and understanding of German grammar.
Mark Forster – A contemporary German pop singer who is popular for his catchy tunes and meaningful lyrics. His songs are great for practicing your listening skills and picking up new vocabulary.
Helene Fischer – One of the most popular German pop singers of recent times, Helene Fischer’s music is both energetic and melodious. Her music can help you improve your German pronunciation, as well as your overall comprehension of the language.
For more inspiration and German singers click here.
By listening to and singing along with these popular German singers, you can immerse yourself in the language and improve your skills in a fun and engaging way.
5. Language learning apps and software
Language learning apps and software can be a great way to supplement your learning and speed up your progress.
They offer a variety of features that can help you improve your language skills, including vocabulary drills, grammar exercises, and speaking practice.
Additionally, many language apps offer a range of levels and courses, so you can find one that’s appropriate for your skill level and learning style.
One of the advantages of using language apps is that you can practice on the go, whether you’re commuting to work, waiting in line, or just have a few minutes to spare.
Furthermore, many apps offer personalized learning plans that are tailored to your specific needs and goals. By using language apps in conjunction with your classes or lessons, you can supplement your learning and accelerate your progress in the language.
Lastly, consistency is key when learning a new language. It is critical to practice on a regular basis, even if only for a few minutes per day. This can help you lay a solid foundation and progress over time. Strive to make language study a part of your everyday routine, and you’ll be astonished how quickly you can boost your skills.
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