Learning German — The Best Tips and Resources

Why Learning German Is Important

Without German language skills, many things in Germany are difficult: finding work, handling bureaucracy, making friendships. Even basic skills (A1/A2) make a huge difference in everyday life.

Free Resources

Apps

• Duolingo — learn through games, great for beginners (A1–A2)
• Deutsche Welle (DW) — courses from A1 to C1, completely free
• Ankommen — official app from BAMF for newcomers
• Memrise — vocabulary with spaced repetition system

Online Courses

• VHS (Volkshochschule) — affordable courses in every city (from 1–2 €/hour with discount)
• DW Learn German — self-paced courses at all levels
• Goethe-Institut — distance courses (paid, but high quality)

YouTube Channels

• Easy German — street interviews with subtitles
• Deutsch für Euch — grammar well explained
• Learn German with Anja — funny and memorable

Finding Tandem Partners

A Tandem is language exchange: you help someone with your native language, and they help you with German.

• Tandem App — free, worldwide
• ConversationExchange.com — online and in-person
• Local language cafés — many cities offer weekly meetups

The 5 Most Important Tips

1. Every Day 15 Minutes

Better than once a week for 3 hours. Consistency is key.

2. Use German in Everyday Life

• While shopping: read product labels in German
• At the supermarket: pay in German at the checkout
• Signs, menus, advertisements — everything is practice material!

3. Consume German Media

• News: Tagesschau with subtitles
• Series: "Dark", "How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)" with German subtitles
• Podcasts: "Slow German" (slowly spoken news)

4. Mistakes Are Allowed!

Germans appreciate you trying to speak German — even with mistakes. Nobody expects perfect German.

5. Practice Writing

Keep a diary in German — even just 3 sentences a day. This reinforces grammar and vocabulary.

Finding Language Courses

Useful Expressions for Beginners

• Ich spreche wenig Deutsch. — This way your conversation partner knows to speak slowly
• Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? — Asking questions is not a weakness
• Was bedeutet das? — Questions show interest
• Entschuldigung, wo ist...? — The classic for getting around