Self-learning German plan: 5 steps for beginners

In this post, we’ll cover how to create your own German schedule, which books are best to use as the basis for a training plan, and how to keep yourself motivated.

Let’s start off by stating the obvious: not everyone is a fine fit for independent German language study. Those who are already fluent in another language find it much simpler to grasp new concepts and are aware of why certain concepts are important. However, if you still choose to organize and arrange your training program on your own, without the aid of classes or instructors, then read on for some advice.

How long does it take to independently learn German?

It is actually challenging to tell if learning a language is, in theory, possible. It is possible to master it to a certain degree; this is a more focused objective. Everyone is familiar with the categorical scale that separates stages from A1 to C2, and many people have seen the suggested amount of academic hours for each level’s growth. Nonetheless, provided you work with a specialist in accordance with a well defined program, then should you rely on this data.

There is no definitive answer to the question of how much time you will spend studying German if you study it independently. Some people are able to master C1 in a year, while others have been working on A2 for a long time.

Each level of German language competency has a unique set of vocabulary and grammar requirements that must be met. Consider using a study guide as your foundation so you don’t lose your way in the study order and don’t haphazardly move from simple to complex, then from complex to simple.

Important! To list the topics to be studied and in what order, you need a study guide. We strongly advise against learning a language solely from a textbook; you must use a variety of resources.

Choose how much time you want to devote to learning German.

You should decide how much time you are willing to devote to learning German before you even begin. Let’s figure out the issue.

Given: Sam only studies on Saturdays and spends the entire day reading textbooks, Mike dedicates three hours to German four times per week.

Question: Who is the more effective?

Answer: Of course, Mike, since consistency in learning any foreign language, as well as a healthy balance between work and play, are essential. The rules and vocabulary are at least learned over the course of a day, but you will need to review them again after a week.

To sum up, try to dedicate at least three full learning sessions per week to learning German, and in between, watch movies and instructional videos and listen to German music or podcasts.

Find additional information sources.

What can be credited to extra information sources? Utilize the free online exercises provided by German publishers. If you are studying from a different study guide, you can still do the interactive exercises that the Schubert publishing house offers for their textbooks. Just pick the appropriate topic and level. Additional publicly accessible materials can be found in the “Kostenlose Übungen” section of the Hueber publishing company.

The Internet is filled with training videos, which can be used as additional sources of learning. By the way, I run a German-focused Telegram channel where weekly postings are issued and where I go through challenges, explain grammar rules in a fun and hilarious way.

Use the three-source rule as a guide. When you find the same information in three distinct sources, you can believe it. Better yet, be able to track down the information’s origin and rely on official sources.

Compensate for the absence of a linguistic environment

Speaking and listening skills cannot be developed if vocabulary and grammar are easily learned through textbooks.

Make sure to pay attention to the spoken German.

It is preferable to listen to podcasts for educational purposes since often the authors still provide assignments for them or lay out a script, allowing you to compare the material you hear with the one written. Additionally, you can view videos and movies. I suggest turning on the subtitles when you watch them.

The most pressing concern for individuals who learn German independently may be: “How can I speak German if I have no one with whom to communicate in it?” Making new friends readily is incredibly beneficial thanks to Internet technologies.

If you prefer studying on your own, you don’t need to look for listening materials and assignments for them, we have done it for you. The All-in-One pack includes several courses that allow you to watch and learn German in an informal manner. Take a look for yourself!

Working on motivation

The schedule has been set, the materials are prepared. How do you keep from giving up on the goal of studying German and inspire yourself to continue?

Here are some tips:

• Find people you know who are also learning German. As statistics show, the team often helps not to lose interest in the subject and not to give up halfway.
• If you don’t need German for work, study, moving, or some other understandable purpose, then communication with a native speaker will help you stay motivated . When you find someone you enjoy talking to, you will want to learn more new words and rules to tell them as much as possible.
• Set clear, foreseeable goals , not big and distant ones. Knowing German perfectly is not a good starting point. Achieving smaller goals reinforces your belief in yourself and your abilities, and also helps you see your progress more clearly.
• Do not perceive the process of learning a foreign language as hard work. If you set yourself up every time that it is “necessary” to learn, although you don’t want to, you won’t get far.
• Make learning German your hobby . Listen to German music, watch movies, read blogs, learn literature. It is important that the process of learning German evokes positive emotions in you. This kind of positive reinforcement will greatly simplify the learning process and make it enjoyable and even more productive.

So, today we tried to make life a little easier for those who decide to learn German on their own, without the help of courses and tutors. I wish you success in this sometimes difficult task and believe that everything will work out for you.