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Outstanding Resources for Learning German

 

There is a certain richness that rings when the German language is spoken. It's also a beautiful language to pick and learn as a second language due to its wide acceptance. Admittedly, it may be linguistically difficult to learn and get fluent in the German language without some help, this is why this article is providing outstanding resources that can help with learning.

 

Fortunately, there are a lot of resources available online that can make learning easy. These could be online resources, TV shows, Videos, etc. Here are some online resources that can help.

1.   Duolingo

Duolingo is one of the most popular resource you can use to learn German. It has lessons that are designed to look like games. These game-like lessons will move you from one level to another as your language expertise increase. What’s more? It is fun, especially for a beginner and a very effective way to learn the German language.

2.   HelloTalk

What's the best way to learn a language if not directly from native speakers? HelloTalk allows you to learn directly from German native speakers. This way, you learn not just the words and grammar, but also learn the tones, gestures, behaviour and even attitude that comes with the language.

 

In essence, you will be culturally in tune with the language, making it easy to think and speak fluently. A bonus that comes with this method is that you may even make a real friend.

3.   LiveXP

You can learn German individually with one of the many online German teachers on LiveXP.. This service works on a subscription basis, so if you want to change your teacher, you can do it at any time convenient for you. 

Lessons do not take much time and you can study at any convenient time for you from anywhere in the world.

You can see your first progress after just a few one-on-one lessons with your teacher. 

4.   GermanPod101

This is a daily podcast in German that helps you learn the language in little bits, taking one step at a time. Because it's an audio resource, you can even multi-task as you learn. For instance, you can listen to a few podcasts on your way to the gym. It doesn't have to be time-consuming, yet it is effective, fun and gives you the desired result.

5.   iTalki

This is a website that has a plethora of German online teachers that are ready to teach you for an affordable price. You don't have to settle until you find the teacher that fits your budget. 

 

With this website, your worry about having a German friend or tutor is over. Now, if you still want to use the iTalki system without paying, you can pair with a friend and use the system to practice. You can test your speaking and listening fluency over video calls like skype.

 

6.   Deutsche Welle

This broadcasting network has a free and well-curated German course on its website. With this course, anyone can learn well. This is irrespective of their level of fluency.

 

Each level has tailor-made materials for them to learn. And each material is particularly targeted to handle and simplify the difficult areas. With this course, you can learn fast and overcome difficult areas before it becomes major issue.

7.   Watching TV Shows

Watching German TV shows to learn the language is thrilling, entertaining and educative. You get to enjoy the show while you learn. Although you may need subtitles to enjoy and understand at the beginning.

 

However, if you continue with this method, you are surely going to learn fast enough and before long you’ll be able to watch without subtitles. Besides, watching TV shows to learn a language provides the added advantage of pausing and rewinding the show to watch as many times as you need.

 

Your brain may take some time to get used to the speed of the language, but with constant practice, it can piece it all together just in time. So, if you are tired of reading books or listening to endless podcasts and taking lessons, but you still want to learn, watching tv shows and movies in German may be the way forward. 

 

Examples of German TV shows that help with language learning and development includes:

 

●  Extra Auf Deutsch

The show is entertaining as well as educative. It also comes with different levels to help with your language development.  Some of these TV series are also available on YouTube and this even makes it better.

 

●  Türkish Für Anfänger

Literarily translated as Turkish for beginners tells the story of two families who are experiencing headlong due to some culture clash. 

 

A German mum of two falls in love with a Turkish dad of two. They moved into the same space and the hilarious drama begins. It's a very entertaining way to learn both the German language and German culture for beginners.

 

●  Babylon Berlin

A police investigative drama. It smells action, and suspense and promises to hold you on the edge of your seat all through. Each scene is plotted to engage and hold your attention.

 

You could learn a thing or two about German history after the first world war. It also exposes the factors that allow for Hitler's rise to power. With this show, you would learn the language, understand some of the cultures and get enthralled by it.

●  Tatort

Tatort also translated to mean crime scene is the longest TV show being played in Germany. Started in the year 1970 and tells the stories of how police in Germany, Austria and Switzerland solves crimes and demystify crime mystery. If you are a lover of action movies, this is a good movie to watch, get entertained and learn German.

 

There are other resources resources available and the list is inexhaustible. Some of them include:

 

·  Mondly: offers simple lessons to get German classes started. They offer these classes in 33 different languages, such that if English isn't your first language, you are still covered.

·  Bussu: this combines both audio and writing lessons. This makes it a great app to learn and improve your writing, and listening skills as well as speaking.

 

·  WordDive: If you desire an intensive German course, WordDive is for you. It's a result of well-researched methods tailored towards learning the language.

 

Tips to Improve Your German

To master German successfully, you need more than the knowledge of the vocabulary and grammar, you need to be one with the language. Here are some tips that will help improve your German.

1. Be Interested in The German Culture

You can't perfectly learn any language without an interest in the culture. It is in the culture you learn expressions, cues, tones, body language etc. It is the simulation of the culture and the words that make an outstanding language. So, don't just be interested in learning the German language, be equally interested in learning the culture too.

 

2.  Make Some German Friends

Your friends are the best to analyze and criticize you. If you have a German friend, you are one step closer to learning the language. If you engage that friend in German, you are two steps closer. If that friend can help you master it by insisting you learn, correcting, analyzing, and criticizing you, you are a master in embryo. 

 

It's only a matter of time before you will be revealed. Wondering where to get a German friend? HelloTalk will connect you to a lot of German native speakers where you can choose your friend.

 

3. Understand the Literal Translation of The German Language

Another thing that could genuinely help and increase your mastery of the German language is literarily speaking the language as it sounds. While this may look childish, consistently doing this will help you master the language in no time.

 

4. Play New Word FlashCard Game

Your brain will learn more easily in a relaxed environment than in a serious environment. This is why the idea of learning with a game-like feature is better.

 

If you have a friend that could stand you on your toes, you should play the flashcard game with them. It's even preferable if the friend is German.

 

5. Write Newly Learnt Vocabularies and Phrases Out

The process of writing down helps your brain get attached to new words and vocabulary faster. It's even faster than playing games or typing on your phone or computer.

 

So, if you have learnt the language, but still want to be able to remember some words accurately, try practising writing it down on paper for a few days.  You will discover you can learn more within a short time. Consistency will bring mastery, so keep at it.

 

Conclusion

The German language is rich with a lot of tongue twisters. Interestingly, it shares a lot of vocabulary with the English language. It is widely spoken in Europe as it makes the first or second language of about 160 million people.

 

Though it may sound harsh and difficult to learn, it is not impossible to learn or even master it within a short while. There are a lot of resources that will help you learn very fast. These ranges from online free courses to paid courses. Games-simulated activities, audio podcasts, YouTube videos and of course TV shows. Though there are a lot of resources, we have highlighted the best ones above.  If you adequately utilize them, learning the German language will be smooth and surprisingly fun!