A step-by-step guide for beginners to learn German online has many benefits like saving money, time, and effort.
German is known to be one of the toughest languages to learn. No doubt, German vocabulary, and grammar aren’t always easy to understand but one must not give up! No language is easy. If you are looking to learn German online and want to do it efficiently, you can achieve the goal faster by doing your bit.
English and German come from one language group – the West Germanic language family. Even though they differ, there are many similarities that can serve as a starting point for your German language learning journey.
To help you get ready to learn German online, we have prepared a step-by-step guide. It’s packed with handy tips that you can start using right away. Click here to learn more about learn german in bangalore
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Step 1. Determine your primary reason to learn German online
Even before you find study materials or choose the preferred learning approach, you need to take a step back and ask yourself WHY you want to learn German online. Find your main goal and jot it down so that it will motivate you all the way.
Define your goal as much as you can and don’t forget to set an exact time frame. Here’s a list of possible answers to your WHY:
- To enroll at a German university of your choice in two years;
- To land a job in a German IT company next year;
- To learn to speak fluent German with German-speaking family members;
- To talk to German business partners without needing an interpreter, within six months;
- To travel to Germany and speak with the locals fluently.
If your goal is set, you will find that German language learning isn’t as difficult as you previously thought. Studying with professional tutors who guide you every step of the way makes language learning even easier.
Here at the Indian Institute of Foreign Languages (IIFLS), we have a team of certified tutors with a lesson plan that best suits your main goal, schedule and level of understanding. You will be provided with knowledgeable lessons online via a user-friendly approach. Just try and see how efficacious it can be to learn German online.
Step 2. Master the alphabet
Start analyzing the difference between the English and German alphabet. Even similar consonants and vowels sound different in these two languages. Get familiar with the sounds first so that you can learn the words later and pronounce them correctly.
You can find the alphabet online and learn the right pronunciation of each letter. Especially, focus on the letters with an umlaut (Ä, Ö, Ü), as it completely changes the way a letter is pronounced.
Moreover, notice how the consonants or vowels sound alone. Two consonants or vowels used one after another could sound different than when used alone.
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Step 3. Learn the most basic words
Try to have your first basic German conversation. Learn some basic German greetings such as:
- Hallo! – Hello!
- Guten Morgen! – Good morning!
- Ich heiße (Name) – My name is (Name).
- Guten Tag! – Good afternoon!
- Guten Abend! – Good evening!
- Hallo! Wie geht’s? – Hello, how are you?
- Danke sehr! – Thank you very much!
- Tschüss! Bis zum nächsten Mal – Goodbye! See you next time.
- Ich spreche nicht gut Deutsch – I don’t speak German well.
Making a list of basic German expressions that you would like to learn can be very beneficial. Just print it and repeat the words every single day. Additionally, you can opt for language learning apps to regularly learn the basics from your device.
Step 4. Learn the key verbs, nouns, and adjectives to effectively learn German online
Once you know the basic German expressions, you will be able to initiate a conversation with a native speaker with ease. But if you want to keep the conversation going with the person you are talking to, you will need to know some key German words. Try to learn new words and keep things interesting by learning German slang and idioms.
Step 5. Understand grammar and sentence structure
For beginners wanting to learn German online, grammar would seem like the most difficult part. No doubt, the grammatical aspect can be quite tricky in the beginning. However, there are almost no exceptions to the German grammar rules, making it easier to remember them.
As for sentence structure, structurally, German is very similar to English. So it shouldn’t be that hard to understand the rules.
Step 6. Build a mini-Germany around you
There is no compulsion that one has to live in Germany to fully immerse in the German language. Here are some practical tricks and tips that one can use:
- Watch German films and TV shows: If you want to learn how to speak German, you need to learn how to listen first. Moreover, it’s a helpful method of learning new vocabulary in the context. For beginners – watch films with subtitles on.
- Listen to podcasts: Listening to German podcasts like GermanPod101 and Warum Nicht is an excellent way to learn the language on the go.
- Watch educational videos on YouTube: There are thousands of useful videos for every level that one can use to master their skills.
- Read books: Start with simple books, such as books for children, to memorize basic vocabulary. Read aloud to improve pronunciation.
- Make a German-speaking friend: Learning how to speak German will be much easier if you have someone to practice with. Today, different platforms provide learners an opportunity to chat with native speakers. Try it out! You can also find a community of German speakers in your area/city and start visiting their speaking clubs.
- Make your device multilingual: Surround yourself with German by changing the interface language on your mobile or computer. It’s a great language learning hack to help you learn new words every day.
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Final thoughts
Beginner or not, start practicing every day! Learn German online by implementing the steps mentioned in this article and make the most of your German studies. With IIFLS, you can find experienced and certified German tutors that encourage you to do your bit as well. Start your German language learning journey today!