How to learn German?

How to quickly and effectively learn German or any other foreign language? What is the most effective method of all existing ones to learn German? And most importantly – how to not lose motivation and not abandon the goal halfway through? Let’s see!

There are many different techniques, each of them has its own pros and cons, but regardless of which one you use – learning German or any language ​​on your own or with a tutor, in a group or individually, with a book or not, there are several important rules that will help you effortlessly learn the basics of the language and gain solid knowledge. In this article, I will provide examples based on German, but the listed techniques will help you learn any language. 

1. Exercise regularly and with a goal!

Spend at least 1-1.5 hours a day learning a new language. It’s important to start by disciplining yourself to practice regularly, because discipline is the only factor that can make you stand up in the morning, learn new words and practice grammar. Opening a textbook once a week while taking a dump, will not provide any success. Even after a day, the brain already forgets what and in what order it did it study last time, and if you learn even less often, then half of the lesson will be spent just for repetition. Therefore, it is worth remembering: regularity is the key to success!

2. Move from 2+2 to calculus (from simple to hard)

You should not try to memorize a thousand words at once or understand all tenses and prepositions. I recommend that you “absorb” the material slowly and in small portions. A foreign language, is like sports: you should not take the heaviest weight and strive to perform the most difficult exercise. It is necessary to increase the load gradually and gradually accept more and more difficult challenges.

3. Work with a dictionary, write out and learn new words

A dictionary for a learner ​​is the main Digga for him. There are many online services that provide the ability to translate words from one language to another for free: Google translate for example. At more advanced stages of learning, it is worth using mainly monolingual dictionaries, such as, for example, Duden and Cambridge, not trying to translate every word into your native language, but trying to explain unfamiliar words in foreign languages ​​using synonyms, phrases, antonyms, whole phrases – so words will be easier to remember and fix in memory. 

4. Memorizing words in their context is more effective

Never memorize words separately, alphabetically or in no particular order! Words should be memorized in context, as they are used in speech. For example, you can memorize words in a phrase and a sentence. For each new word, come up with three, or better, five sentences. Then this word will definitely never be forgotten. In addition, memorizing words in context means:

1. learning other words related to the same theme: for example, colors, clothing items, names of animals to learn together;
2. learn derivatives from these words and other forms, for example:  malen – der Maler – die Malerei , der Mensch – menschlich – die Menschheit , etc.  

5. Practice grammar

How to learn a language perfectly? Learn grammar! No matter how boring and difficult it may be, it is impossible to freely build correct phrases and sentences in a foreign language without knowledge and – most importantly – understanding of grammar. You can try to memorize phrases by heart, without understanding, but the older a person becomes, the worse he will memorize words in an intuitive way, and this is how children do it, the more they will remember them in a logical way – not on the basis of imitation, but on the basis of understanding. Grammar is important in understanding what you have to say.

It is important not to be afraid making grammatical mistakes, because the natives themselves often speak with mistakes.

6. Combine techniques

It is important to pay attention to different aspects of speech: not only reading, but also speaking, not only listening to the text, but also writing down its summary, asking questions to it. There is no single universal technique that would suit everyone. Learning foreign languages ​​is a very individual process, it depends on your age, abilities, communication skills in your mother tongue, motivation, hard work and many other factors. Find your own technique, like watching movies in the original or reading books, and in addition to that, use other methods as well – use vocabulary apps, chat with native speakers on social media, follow Deutsch mit Leo on Instagram or Telegram.

7. Surround yourself with language

The “deep dive” technique is considered a very effective technique. It is important to surround yourself with the language your are learning from all sides. Place notes around the house with the names of objects in the language you’re learning – bed, table, pen, drawer, etc.

The main thing is to change these cards from time to time for new ones, otherwise, over time, they will cease to be perceived and will just be part of the interior. Translate your phone, computer, personal pages on social networks into the language you are learning, listen to news, radio, podcasts or audiobooks in the background while you are in a traffic jam, and it doesn’t matter if at first you perceive only 5-10% of the information. 

8. Put knowledge into practice

Without active use of the language, words are very quickly forgotten! Write shopping lists, emails, messages, blogs in the language your are learning – use any opportunity to practice foreign languages ​​and learn new words! Let’s say you need to master 20 irregular verbs by tomorrow – come up with a coherent story of ten sentences, each with one verb. It will be easier and more reliable to remember. 

9. Maintain interest

In order to be interested in the language, it is very important to be interested in the culture, politics, sports of the country, its famous people, and the latest events. Planning your next vacation to the country where the language is spoken, communicating with people who speak the language you are learning, having a go to get into a university – that will help keep your interest at the right level. Place motivational flyers around the room, that will help you find the strength to study, constantly remind yourself of your ultimate goal. Try to engage your significant other into learning languages, so you can motivate each other and get feedback, and track progress together. 

10. Fall, rise, repeat!

It is important to refresh the material already passed from time to time, especially if there was a break in learning, so don’t be lazy to look over and over again at the rules already passed in the textbook.

Hope these simple tips will help you achieve the best results in learning foreign languages, because now you know exactly how to learn a language from scratch easily and effectively. Try different methods, don’t stop!