Learning German from home may seem like mission impossible, but it’s not as hard as you think. A huge amount of language learning happens with you sitting in a chair anyway. Why can’t you be sitting on your couch or at your own kitchen table? The short answer is, you can, and with free online resources at your disposal, there’s really no reason you can’t learn German from home. Here’s how to get started.
1. Work your way through a few lessons
When you’re first starting to learn German, it’s a good idea to have a guide, and there are lots of free options. Whether you like flashcard apps or a more narrative approach like The German Project, you can start learning German from home without spending a cent. Whichever platform you choose to work with, try to spend time on it every day. That’s how your memory works best.
2. Listen to German radio and podcasts
Once you’ve got some basic German grammar and vocabulary under your belt, it’s time to immerse yourself in the language. There are podcasts specifically for German students and many more for German speakers. You can approach German listening activities in two ways. The easiest is to switch on any old German radio station and let it become the soundtrack to your life. You don’t need to understand what they’re saying. Your goal is to soak up the rhythms of the language. The other approach is to pick something you can 90% understand and work on picking up that extra 10%.
3. Watch German TV shows
Like the radio, TV is a great way to immerse yourself in the German language. You can take a more academic approach, watching with pen in hand for new vocabulary and expressions (German subtitles are your friend), or you can use German TV to unwind after a long day without worrying about understanding everything. Here are a few good German shows on Netflix to get you started.
4. Meet German speakers
Online language exchange is booming. Download an app like Speaky or Busuu, or find a forum where you can text-chat with Germans. If you have a little spare cash on hand, you might even hire yourself an online German tutor. It’s easy to find someone who works on Skype and hourly rates can be quite reasonable.
5. Plan a virtual trip to Germany
You may not be able to fly at the moment, but nothing’s stopping you from taking a virtual trip to Berlin. Lots of museums have their entire collection on Google’s Arts and Culture platform and you can stream concerts from the Berlin Philharmonic’s Digital concert hall. You can use your virtual trip as a reward for all the hard work you’ve done learning German, or switch to the German-language versions of websites and use them to plan your trip. There are so many virtual travel options out there, it’s time to pour yourself a beer, fry up a sausage, and couch surf your way to Germany.
If it’s your dream to speak German, there’s really no reason not to use your free time to learn German from home. Ich drück’ dir die Daumen!
FAQs
Try and immerse yourself in the German language as much as you can when you're learning. You can do this by watching German movies and TV shows, using German subtitles over English-speaking shows, reading German books, or listening to German music.
What is the best online course to learn German? ›
- Goethe-Institut: Best for certification exam preparation.
- DeutschAkademie: Best comprehensive curriculum.
- Lingua.com: Best for interactive exercises.
- italki: Best for language exchange.
- Comparison of the best online German classes.
- Choose the right online German class for your goals.
Learn German free online
With Deutsche Welle's mobile courses, you can learn German easily and free of charge. Whether you are a beginner or highly proficient, this is where you will find German courses. You can also learn German with the news or music - from level A1 to C1.
What is the website that teaches German? ›
deutsch.info is a multilingual online platform for learning German - everywhere, at any time and for free! Besides online courses, grammar explanations, games and audio-visual materials, you'll find practical information about working and living in Germany and Austria as well as free teaching materials.
Is there a free version of Babbel? ›
Is there a free version of Babbel? Yes, Babbel does technically offer a free version; however, the free version only includes access to one lesson per language. It is more of a free trial. There is no true free version like you get with Duolingo or Memrise.
How to learn German very fast? ›
10) Tips to learn German vocabulary
Create flashcards for new words, practice daily, and review them consistently. Remember, consistency goes a long way. Read German books and watch TV shows to learn in context. Try to engage in conversations with native speakers and also use language apps for practice.
What should I learn first when learning German? ›
Here are some easy steps to learning German:
- Master the alphabet. ...
- Learn easy/important words. ...
- Basic grammar: study nouns, verbs and adjectives. ...
- Learn how sentences are constructed. ...
- Talk to German speakers regularly. ...
- Try watching some German movies or listening to German music. ...
- Learning German online.
With Mondly you can learn German sentences and expressions FREE with daily German language lessons online. This app is the effective way for beginners to study verbs, pronunciation and how to speak like a native with daily practice.
How can I learn German online by myself? ›
Here's how to get started.
- Work your way through a few lessons. When you're first starting to learn German, it's a good idea to have a guide, and there are lots of free options. ...
- Listen to German radio and podcasts. ...
- Watch German TV shows. ...
- Meet German speakers. ...
- Plan a virtual trip to Germany.
Approach to learning
The biggest difference between Babbel and Duolingo is the approach to language learning. Babbel is a better option if you want traditional language instructions through modules and lessons. By contrast, Duolingo works great if you need a playful, gamified experience.
The DeutschAkademie online German course was created by experienced German teachers and is free of charge. Use it as a free supplement to your current course or to learn German by yourself.
How do you say "check please" in German? ›
After finishing your meal or drinks in a restaurant or bar, you could ask for the check by simply saying zahlen, bitte! (pronounced: TSAH-lehn BEE-teh), which literally means 'to pay, please. ' Alternatively, you could say die Rechnung, bitte (dee REH-noong BEE-teh; 'the check, please').
Which is the best platform to learn German? ›
Best websites to learn German fast
| Best overall | Preply |
|---|
| Best for short lessons | Busuu |
| Best to learn writing | Babbel |
| Best for self-study pronunciation | Rocket Languages |
| Best for intensive courses | DADO (Deutsch Akademie für Deutsch Online) |
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It is most closely related to other West Germanic languages, namely Afrikaans, Dutch, English, the Frisian languages, Scots. It also contains close similarities in vocabulary to some languages in the North Germanic group, such as Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish.
What is the difference between German and Deutsch? ›
The word "Deutschland" has a long history in the language and culture of Germany. In German, the word "Deutsch" (which translates to the English word "German") is used to characterize not only the country's language but also its populace, culture, and past.
Can I learn German by myself? ›
Contrary to what some may say, it's actually pretty common for people to learn languages on their own. Including German. I myself prefer learning languages alone. There are, however, a couple of things you will need to learn German on your own successfully.
What is the best approach to learning German? ›
The best way to learn German depends on individual learning styles and preferences. Immersion, such as living in Germany and surrounding yourself with the language, can be a highly effective way to learn. Taking classes, practicing regularly, and seeking out language exchange partners can also be helpful.
Which is better, Babbel or Rosetta Stone? ›
Although Babbel and Rosetta Stone are among the most well-known language-learning resources around, neither one makes the best choice for a prospective language learner. Out of the two platforms, you should definitely choose Babbel. It's a bit cheaper but also has a little more variety in lesson exercises.
Where should I start if I want to learn German? ›
#1: Learn Basic German Vocabulary to Be Able to Communicate
So in order to start speaking German as soon as possible, make sure you know the way letters are pronounced in German, as well as the specific-to-German letters that are not found in English, such as ß (Eszett or scharfes S) or vowels “mit Umlaut” like Ü or Ä.
