Learn German

Learn German Fast and Easy: The Ultimate Guide for learning German

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Learn German Fast and Easy

Are you an expat living in Germany who wants to learn German online fast and easy? Do you want to communicate better with the locals, advance your career prospects, and immerse yourself in German culture? If so, you’re in luck!

In today’s interconnected world, maintaining a strong language-learning journey is crucial for expats in Germany. With the increasing globalization and mobility, being able to communicate in multiple languages, including German, opens up new opportunities both personally and professionally.

Fortunately, the emergence of innovative language learning platforms and media has transformed the way we plan our studies and assess our language skills. These resources offer convenience, accessibility, and interactive learning experiences that make the process of learning German more engaging and effective than ever before.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll show you how to use the best language-learning apps for expats in Germany. These apps will help you master the German language in no time with their innovative features, interactive lessons, and fun exercises.

By using these language learning apps, you’ll be able to:

  • Learn German at your own pace and convenience
  • Practice your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills
  • Expand your vocabulary and grammar knowledge
  • Track your progress and get feedback
  • Connect with native speakers and other learners
  • And much more!

Ready to start your language learning journey? Let’s dive in!

Practicing with Native Speakers to learn German

This could be through language exchange programs, conversation meetups, or online language learning platforms. Speaking with native speakers helps improve pronunciation, fluency, and cultural understanding. Let’s look at some of these below,

Language Exchange Programs to Learn German

Tandem: Tandem is a language exchange app that connects language learners worldwide. You can find language partners based on your interests and language goals, and engage in language exchange through text, voice, or video chat.

HelloTalk: HelloTalk is a language learning app that allows you to connect with native speakers of your target language. You can chat, make voice or video calls, and even join language learning communities to practise your language skills.

ConversationExchange: ConversationExchange is an online platform that helps you find language partners for conversation practice. You can search for language partners based on your location, interests, and desired language exchange format (in-person, video chat, etc.).

Conversation Meetups to learn German

Meetup: Meetup is a platform where you can find local groups and communities based on your interests, including language exchange or conversation meetups. Search for language-related meetups in your area and join events where you can practise your language skills with fellow learners and native speakers.

Internations: Internations is a global community for expatriates and international-minded individuals. They often organise language exchange events and social gatherings where you can meet people from various language backgrounds and practise your target language.

Online Language Learning Platforms

italki: italki is an online language learning platform that connects you with language tutors and teachers. You can book one-on-one language lessons, practice conversation, and receive personalised feedback and guidance from qualified instructors.

Lingoda: Lingoda offers online language classes taught by native-speaking teachers. You can choose from various course levels and topics, participate in live group classes, and engage in speaking practice with other students.

Verbling: Verbling provides live online language lessons with qualified teachers. You can book individual lessons, participate in group classes, and improve your speaking skills through real-time interaction with instructors and other learners.

Use Language Learning Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Memrise, which offer interactive lessons, vocabulary drills, and quizzes to learn German

Learn German Fast and Easy

Each of these platforms has its own strengths and features, catering to different learning preferences. Duolingo is known for its gamified approach and accessibility, making it suitable for beginners or casual learners.

Here’s an explanation of Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise, the three popular language learning platforms:

Duolingo: Duolingo is a free language learning app and website that provides gamified lessons in multiple languages, including German. It offers interactive exercises, vocabulary practice, and grammar drills in a variety of formats, such as matching, translation, and listening comprehension.

Duolingo’s bite-sized lessons focus on building vocabulary and developing basic language skills through repetition and reinforcement. The platform tracks your progress and rewards you with virtual currency and achievements as you complete lessons.

Babbel: Babbel is a subscription-based language learning app and website that offers interactive lessons in various languages, including German. It provides structured courses that cover different language levels and topics, focusing on practical vocabulary, grammar, and conversation skills.

Babbel’s lessons include interactive exercises, dialogues, and pronunciation practice. The platform also features speech recognition technology to help improve your pronunciation. Babbel offers a more comprehensive and structured approach to language learning compared to Duolingo.

Memrise: Memrise is a language learning platform that offers user-generated flashcards and interactive lessons for multiple languages, including German. It emphasizes vocabulary acquisition through spaced repetition and mnemonic techniques.

Memrise’s courses feature audio recordings by native speakers, interactive exercises, and multimedia content to aid learning. The platform also encourages community participation, allowing users to create and share their own language courses.

Deutsche Welle, Lingoda, or FluentU for a wide range of language learning materials

These online resources offer a wide range of materials and tools to support to learn German:

Deutsche Welle: Deutsche Welle is a renowned German international broadcaster that provides a wealth of language learning materials for German learners. Their online platform offers a dedicated section called “Deutsch lernen” (Learn German) that includes interactive courses, grammar explanations, vocabulary exercises, audio and video lessons, and news articles specifically designed for language learners.

Deutsche Welle’s resources cater to different proficiency levels and cover various topics, allowing learners to practise reading, listening, and comprehension skills while staying updated on current affairs.

Lingoda: Lingoda is an online language school that offers structured German language courses taught by qualified teachers. Their courses cover different proficiency levels, from beginner to advanced, and focus on various aspects of language learning, including grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, and speaking.

Lingoda’s classes are conducted live through video conferencing, allowing learners to interact with teachers and classmates in real-time. The platform provides a supportive and immersive learning environment, with small group classes or private lessons available at flexible scheduling options.

FluentU: FluentU is an innovative language learning platform that utilises authentic videos to help learners improve their German skills. FluentU offers a vast library of engaging videos, including movie trailers, music videos, news clips, and more, all accompanied by interactive subtitles and language learning tools.

Learners can watch videos, click on words or phrases for definitions, example sentences, and pronunciation, and access quizzes and exercises to reinforce learning. FluentU provides an immersive and entertaining approach to language learning, enabling learners to improve their listening comprehension, vocabulary, and cultural understanding.

Surround yourself with German media such as movies, TV shows, podcasts, music, and books

This exposure to authentic German content enhances listening comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and cultural understanding. Consider using subtitles or transcripts to aid comprehension.

Movies

Good Bye, Lenin! (2003): A comedy-drama film set in East Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others) (2006): A gripping drama that explores surveillance and the power of art in East Berlin.

Der Untergang (Downfall) (2004): A historical drama depicting the final days of Adolf Hitler’s regime in Berlin.

TV Shows

Dark (2017-2020): A mind-bending sci-fi thriller that delves into time travel and a small German town’s secrets.

Tatort (1970-present): A long-running crime series featuring different investigative teams across various German cities.

Babylon Berlin (2017-present): A period crime drama set in 1920s Berlin, showcasing the political and social climate of the time.

Podcasts

Slow German: A podcast that covers various topics at a slower pace, aimed at learners of the German language.

Deutschlandfunk Nova:  A podcast that discusses current affairs, culture, and trends in Germany.

Gemischtes Hack: A comedy podcast hosted by a father-daughter duo, offering humorous conversations on various topics.

Music

Nena: A German singer known for hits like “99 Luftballons” and “Leuchtturm.”

Kraftwerk: An influential electronic music band whose music combines synth-pop and futuristic themes.

Die Toten Hosen:A punk rock band that has been active since the 1980s, with songs like “Hier kommt Alex” and “Tage wie diese.”

Establish a regular study schedule and dedicate specific times each day or week for learning German.

Now that you know the right tools, what’s left is to get into a routine study schedule. There are several websites and platforms that can help you achieve to learn German. Here are a few examples:

Trello: Trello is a project management tool that allows you to create boards, lists, and cards to organise your tasks. You can create a dedicated board for your German language learning and set up a schedule by creating lists for different study topics or activities and assigning specific cards to each day or week.

Google Calendar: Google Calendar is a widely used online calendar tool. You can create dedicated events or recurring reminders for your German study sessions, set specific times, and even receive notifications to help you stick to your schedule.

Evernote: Evernote is a note-taking and organisation platform. You can create dedicated notebooks for your German studies and use reminders and tags to prioritise and schedule your learning activities. You can also set up recurring tasks or use the reminder feature to stay on track.

Habitica: Habitica is a habit-building and productivity app that gamifies your tasks and goals. You can create habits, dailies, and to-dos related to your German language learning and set specific due dates and frequency for each task. As you complete your tasks, you earn rewards and level up in the app.

StudyStack: StudyStack offers a range of study tools, including flashcards and quizzes. You can create a study schedule by setting up a study plan on the platform, scheduling specific study sessions, and tracking your progress as you go.

Don’t forget that consistency is the key to making progress in your German language learning journey. By setting achievable goals for each study session, you can stay motivated and maintain a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s dedicating a specific amount of time to vocabulary practice, focusing on mastering a particular grammar concept, or completing a set number of exercises, breaking down your learning into manageable tasks will help you build momentum and see tangible results. 

Remember, small steps taken consistently over time can lead to significant proficiency in German. Stay committed, track your progress, and celebrate every milestone along the way.

Compile and share lists of essential German words and phrases for everyday situations, including greetings, ordering food, asking for directions, and shopping

Utilise Flashcards: Flashcards are a powerful tool for memorising vocabulary and practising grammar. Create your own flashcards or use digital flashcard apps like Anki or Quizlet.  Anki and Quizlet are popular digital flashcard platforms that can greatly enhance your language learning experience. Here’s an explanation of each:

Anki: Anki is a powerful and customizable flashcard software that uses spaced repetition. It allows you to create your own flashcards or download pre-made decks created by other users. With spaced repetition, Anki optimises the timing of flashcard reviews based on your performance, ensuring that you review difficult cards more frequently while gradually spacing out repetitions for easier cards.

Quizlet: Quizlet is an online platform that provides an extensive collection of user-generated flashcards and study sets covering a wide range of subjects, including languages. Users can create their own flashcards or explore and study from existing sets created by others. Quizlet offers different study modes, such as flashcards, matching games, quizzes, and more, which make learning interactive and engaging.

Ultimately, the choice between Anki and Quizlet depends on your personal preference and learning style. Explore both platforms and determine which one aligns better with your language learning needs.

In the end, setting realistic goals is essential for a successful language-learning journey. By setting achievable objectives, such as mastering a specific number of vocabulary words per week, completing a level of a language course, or even engaging in an entire conversation in the target language, you not only stay motivated but also have a tangible way to track your progress.

Celebrate each milestone along the way and use them as stepping stones to reach even greater heights. Remember, language learning is a marathon, not a sprint, and by setting realistic goals, you can ensure a steady and rewarding path to fluency. So go ahead, set those goals, work hard, and watch as your language skills blossom and flourish. Good luck on your language-learning journey!

Thank you for taking the time to read our article. We hope you found it helpful in your language-learning journey. If you’re interested in exploring more about Germany or expat life in Germany, we invite you to check out our other informative articles on these topics.

We value your experiences and would love to hear your feedback and insights about using the resources mentioned in this article. Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.

Your contributions will not only help us improve our content but also provide valuable information and perspectives to fellow language learners.

Learning German – A better choice or mandate?

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Learning German

Ludwig Wittgenstein famously stated – “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” Now, you’ve decided to expand your world beyond the boundaries of your country to Germany, does that mean your language limit has to be expanded by learning German? This question is always the first point of apprehension in the plan to migrate – Do I need to learn German before moving to Germany? so, the below article will give you the insight on the language aspects required to live in Germany.

How far can you make without knowing German in Germany?

German is the official language of Germany spoken by over 95 percent of the country population. English comes as the first foreign language taught in German schools. More than half of the German population speaks English to some extent, with a much higher prevalence in popular tourist areas, making English more common in Germany in comparison to other European countries.

In major cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Munich it would still be comparatively easier to get by with English. But, as you move out of the main cities to smaller towns or villages, the popularity of English will only decrease, especially in communication with the older generations. This can sometimes create complications in renting houses, cars, or getting bus routes. Though these can be definitely achieved by googling stuff it can be perceived as an annoyance rather than a conversation for some folks if you keep putting the phone in their faces. Also, you cannot always trust the network reception for it to work.

If your plans of staying in Germany are short and mostly limited to the major cities, it’ll be easier by knowing only some basic German phrases (or Google translate). However, if your plans include moving to Germany for the long term, learning German can help in making your life more convenient.

Learning and communicating in German will primarily ease your daily life activities but in addition, will also be the gateway to understanding the country and its people better. Just as listening to people conveys their emotions more accurately than reading, a frank conversation in the language will give you the intended impression behind a statement.

Learning German will help you in getting involved locally and give you a cultural understanding of Germany. Not only that but as an expat working for clientele based on and in Germany, knowing the language of your business partners improves your relations and therefore your chances for effective communication and success. Attaining proficiency in German will help you to function productively for an employer with traditional business connections. In Science and Research, German is the second most commonly used scientific language. Germany is the third-largest contributor to research and development and offers research fellowships to scientists from abroad.

But, it still remains a personal choice and depends on the lifestyle you would choose on moving. As some expats do manage to live in Germany without mastering the language. As the foreign population is increasing every year in Germany, people tend to switch to these for basic necessities. Many people simply switch to English speaking doctors or stores and restaurants with English speaking staff. There are also instances when new learners struggle to communicate in German and people themselves switch to English. Many expats claim their jobs are centered within English speaking populace and they comfortably get through their everyday lives without knowing a lot of German.

German Language requirements in Germany

For some expatriates, there may be a requirement to attend an integration course and learn basic German. Permanent residence permit also requires knowledge of German to some extent, and for German citizenship by naturalization, you need to hold at least a B1 proficiency certificate in the German language.

There are a limited number of jobs in Germany where a decent level of the language might not be expected, as the company itself works in English. But sometimes not speaking the language might restrict your options for work, even after adequate professional qualifications.

There are institutions that offer instructions and examinations for German proficiency worldwide, making it possible to get certified conveniently in both Germany and abroad.

There are multiple examinations and certificates that can attest to your German language skills. Your choice will be dependent on the reasons for seeking a German language certification (to study or work in institutions that require German ability or to apply for a visa, residence permit, or for German citizenship).

The proof for German B1 and above level proficiency required by the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages, can be attained by providing any of these documents:

  • German language certificate such as the Zertifikat Deutsch
  • Certification obtained through an integration course, such as the “DTZ – German test for immigrants”
  • Certificate proving you have completed a German secondary school
  • Admission proof in a German upper secondary school
  • Certificate proving you have completed at least 4 years of school in German with a passing grade
  • Proof of completion of higher education degrees in German

In case of not having these documents, you can complete a government language test that may be administered by your citizenship authority.

The following institutions provide the certifications for German proficiency in Germany that is accepted widely in the country.

Goethe-Institut

The Goethe-Institut certificate (Zertifikat Deutsch) is recognized worldwide as a German language certification and is widely used in Germany for a visa, residence permit, and citizenship applications, as well as for university entrance requirements.

Telc Deutsch (The European Language Certificates)

The European Language Certificates offer language certifications in 10 different languages one of which is German. Their certification is internationally-recognised and is also accepted in Germany for visa, residence permit and citizenship applications.

TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache)

The TestDaF is a language test for foreign learners of German who plan to study in Germany or who require recognised certification of their language skills. The test can be taken at licensed Test Centres in about 80 different countries.

This German language certification is specifically aimed at those who would like to study at, or work in, German universities.

Participants all take the same exam and are graded levels 3 – 5, which broadly correspond to the CEFR levels B2 – C1. More information about the test structure can be found here.

Zertifikat Integrationskurs – German test for immigrants (DTZ) language test

The Deutschtest für Zuwanderer (DTZ) certification is a designed specifically for immigrants in Germany and is usually taken after the completion of Integration Courses.

German Language Proficiency Levels

The German language proficiency corresponds to the levels set out in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for language learning.

The framework specifies different ability levels and is generally defined as: A for beginners, B for intermediate levels, and C for advanced levels.

Level A1: Beginners and False Beginners

Completion of this level certifies that you can understand & use familiar everyday expressions such as introducing yourself & others, asking & answering personal details, such as where you live, people you know, and things you have. This basically implies that you can interact in a simple way, provided the other person talks slowly and is prepared to help.

Level A2: Basic German Knowledge

Achievement of this level attests your ability to understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (such as your day to day conveniences including very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, or work stuff).

You can easily communicate about simple and routine tasks with basic and direct exchange of information on familiar and usual matters in simple terms.

Level B1: Pre-Intermediate

This level certifies that you can understand the main points of clear standard language on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. You can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken.

You can also produce simple and connected text on topics which lie in your familiarity or of personal interest. You can describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions, and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. Completion of this level means you are ready for the Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD) exam.

Level B2: Intermediate

By the end of this level, you will be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in your field of specialization. You can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for you or them.

You can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. This implies your readiness for the Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf (ZD Beruf) exam, and for strong learners, the Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP).

Level C1: Upper Intermediate

Completing this level ensures that you can now understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. You can express yourself fluently without much obvious searching for expressions. You can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes.

You can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices just like the native speakers. You should be able to pass the Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP) without trouble.

Level C2: Advanced

Reaching the end of this level certifies that you can easily understand virtually everything heard or read. You can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstruct arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation.

You can express yourself spontaneously and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

Certifications at this level are the Kleine Deutsche Sprachdiplom (KDS), the Große Deutsche Sprachdiplom (GDS), Deutsch für den Sprachlichen Hochschulzugang (DSH) or the Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP).

Some websites to learn German:

Preply:

Preply is an online educational platform that pairs students with private tutors remotely via online chat. You can take the lessons from 6 € per hour

  • You can find the perfect tutor by searching with price, nationality or availability
  • View your tutor’s calendar and pick the perfect time for your busy schedule
  • Talk with your tutor about the skills you need and get a personalized plan to achieve your goals
Sign Up Here

DW.com

Deutsche Welle or DW is a German public international broadcaster funded by the German federal tax budget. It also offers learning German for free.

Click here to view courses

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