Achieving a decent level of German may not be easy but it is definitely possible for anyone willing to dedicate the time and effort needed. There are myriads of ways to learn the language: online or offline, for free or paying, using real-life lessons or an app, participating in a course or having a tandem partner. No matter whether you have an advanced level of German or you are a beginner you can use any of those options or even several at the same time to accelerate the process. Ensuring you have the ability to say the basics would be considered polite, and learning how to order a meal, or buy a bus ticket in German will be highly useful from day one. This article will look into the German language, why it is useful, and what are the best ways to learn German in Germany or from abroad. Learn more about the German language and its characteristics Of course,German is the official language of Germany. It is also spoken, in varying national and regional dialects, by citizens in neighboring central European countries like Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, South Tyrol and Liechtenstein. German is considered to be one of theWest Germanic languages, grouped together with English and Dutch. All three languages share similarities regarding vocabulary for this reason. High German, orHochdeutschis the standardized version of the German language:the official literary and spoken form. This is what students of German will learn, and it is still the official form of the language taught in schools of countries which adhere to different dialects of the language, such as Switzerland; people here speak Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch) but read and study inHochdeutsch. The biblical translations of Martin Luther in the 16th century led to the development of High German as the region's primary language. The US Foreign Service Institute estimate for basic German speech isabout 36 weeksor750 classroom hours.Mastering the language will likely take a couple of years with consistent practice. To be fluent in German, a speaker needs to know around10,000 words. At the beginning expanding your vocabulary is important for both comprehension and speaking. A little more advanced is learning how they behave in different linguistic cases, conjugations, and contexts. Finding a language tandem partner helps you to improve your language skills and is also a great way to make new friends. Achieving a good level of German may not be easy but it is definitely possible! In our videowe answer all your learning German questions, such as: "How long does it take to learn German?", "How many words do you need to be fluent in German?" and even "What is the best way to learn German?". It is possible to learn German in several ways German language books, audio-visual materials, or a study group, presented by a tutor are a few possibilities. Online study is a more contemporary way in which a study of the German language may begin. More about that later on. Try not to be put off by how difficult people say learning German can be.Some learners may feel daunted because the language includes male and female forms of words as well as compound words and linguistic cases they are not used to, but this is similar to many other (European) languages, and, ultimately, it is just a case of learning rules and vocabulary by rote. Arguably one of the best ways to learn the German language is to engage a 1:1 tutor or to learn in a small group or as part of an intensive course. In general, a mix of tuition and practice in real-life situations is the best way to learn. Enrolling with a language school is a great way to learn if you wish to dedicate the time to a committed course program. See our page onThe Recommended Language Schools in Germanyfor more information. Here are some easy steps to learning German: A good understanding of the basic German alphabet and how it’s vowels and consonants are pronounced, is essential. See ourpage on German Alphabet and Grammar. Expanding your vocabulary (Wortschatz) is important for both comprehension and speaking.You can actually start to learn new words even before you know exactly how or why the phrases are formed how they are, just to get familiar with them.Here is the list of100 coreGerman words and phrases to learn first. Learning the parts of speech is important – a little more advanced is learning how they behave in different linguistic cases, conjugations, and contexts, which brings us to... At first, the sentences you use will be very basic and limited in their expression of tense and ‘mood’ (e.g. subjunctive, conjunctive, etc.). Over time they will become longer and more complex. Socializing with a German speaker is an excellent way to put into practice what you have learnt in class and to seek further feedback on your speaking. By doing this, you’ll slowly increase your vocabulary – they will use plenty of words you don’t know, and you’ll absorb their habits concerning inflection and tone. Once you have the basics, challenge yourself by engaging with authentic German-language texts and audio. Watch the news and weather to stay up to date with German current affairs while improving your skills. There are several online German tutoring websites and premium app services which help beginners learn German online. Some claim to give you the basics in just 30 days.Rosetta Stoneoffers a popular, tried-and-tested method of language learning which can be accessed online and using an app. There are more than 120 million native German speakers and 10-15 million people who speak it as a second language worldwide, so learning to speak the language well will make it much easier to socialize, live and work in the wider German speaking (DACH) region and, possibly, in many places around the globe - in short, it’s a useful language to have under your belt. Here are 10 really good reasons why you should learn German, and believe us, these are only a few! It can help you in so many ways while staying in Germany Non-German natives living in Germany (even for a short while) will need the language skills to do basic tasks, like talking to a bank teller, taxi driver, doctor, or receptionist.Being able to speak German makes daily life much easier in the country, despite the high level of English most people have in the cities. Being able to speak the language means you can take initiative with the absolutely essential parts of life in Germany.With basic German (and some specific vocabulary), you won’t need a translator when fulfilling necessary tasks, like registering your address (Anmelden) at the city hall (Bürgeramt) orapplying for visa extension. To form friendships and enjoy social activities in Germany, it is very helpful to be able to speak the language – not every German native will be comfortable socializing in a language other than German. Being able to speak the language of the country you live and work increates a sense of belonging. It's important to feelintegrated into your new home, however long you wish to stay there. Being able to speak, read, and write German at a certain levelmeans you couldstudy in Germany. Officially, there are no tuition fees for undergraduate degrees in Germany (public universities), and the nation is home to some of the world’s top-ranked institutions. Find out more on ourGerman Universities page. German is the most frequently spoken language in Central Europe and the EU countries alongside English. This means you can converse with people of many different nationalities and in several different countries in Europe. The German economy is thriving. If you want to take advantage of this and create a new business in Germany or link withbusiness opportunitiesin the country, being able to speak the language fluently is important if you do not want to rely on a German-speaking counterpart. This time in German. Germany's country domain (.de) is one of the top players in our internet-driven world. Germany is the largest European trading partner of the US, exporting vehicles, metals, and chemical products, andmany German companies have global reach. Being able to speak the language,initiate and maintain business dealings with German business-people may prove to be lucrative if you wish to excel professionally in the country and beyond. German is the language of some of the most notablecultural outputof all time, including works from Goethe, Bach, Mozart, Durrenmatt, and Kafka. Being able to understand these works in the original German can significantlydeepen your cultural understandingof them and is extremely satisfying. Search by city, major, or field of study and find your dream study program in Germany.The German language
How many years does it take to learn the German Language?
How many words do you need to be fluent in German?
3 steps to learn the German language
Important words
Basic grammar
Talk regularly
How to learn German?
How to learn German
Is it difficult to learn German?
What is the best way to learn German?
How can I learn the German language?
Master the alphabet
Learn easy/important words
Basic grammar: study nouns, verbs and adjectives
Learn how sentences are constructed
Talk to German speakersregularly
Try watching some German movies or listening to German music
Learning German online
Some basic German phrases
Did you know?
10 good reasons to learn German
1. Ease of daily life
2. Essential tasks and getting help
3. Being able to express yourself socially
4. Cultural identity
5. Top-ranked universities
6. Travel around the EU
7. Germany's Economy
8. Finding a second internet
9. Professional opportunities
10. Accessing high culture
Find Your Perfect Match
FAQs
Is 2 years enough to learn German? ›
German is rated as a category 2 language and considered to be similar to English. The FSI estimates that German takes approximately 30 weeks, or 750 classroom hours to learn.
How many words you should know to speak enough German? ›In order to feel comfortable speaking German, you really only need to learn about 3,000 words. In contrast, being fluent in German is defined as understanding 10,000+ words.
What is the best way to learn German? ›- 1 - Go out of your way to speak to German people. ...
- 2 - Watch German content with subtitles. ...
- 3 - Immerse yourself in German. ...
- 4 - Start with the basics. ...
- 5 - Learn the basic grammar rules early on. ...
- 6 - Start constructing sentences and phrases. ...
- 7 - Learn Modal Verbs.
Many employers in Germany require at least B2 level German for most jobs, particularly in customer service or sales positions. However, some part-time jobs in less language-intensive fields may be available to those with B1-level proficiency.
Can you be fluent in German in 1 year? ›It's understandable that learners ask this - after all, who wants to set out on a journey without knowing how long it would take to reach their destination? In simple terms, you can become fluent in 10–12 months if you follow the most successful strategies and remain persistent in your approach.
What is a C1 level in German? ›Understanding the German C1 Exams
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) defines C1 as the advanced level where individuals have a high degree of fluency and can engage in complex conversations, understand sophisticated texts, and express themselves effectively in the language.
- 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.
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.
What is the first thing to learn in German? ›Master the alphabet
Begin with analyzing the difference between German and English alphabets. In fact, the similar vowels and consonants sound different in these two languages. Learn the sounds first so that you can learn the words later and pronounce them correctly.
The C Levels: Fluency – C1
C1 speakers almost never need to search for a simple word to express their ideas when they speak German. At C1, you will be able to use the language effectively in your social, academic, and professional life.
Is B2 German fluent? ›
It takes about 450 to 600 hours to learn the German B2 level. With B2, speakers can converse fluently with native speakers without speaking slowly or using simple words.
Is B1 considered fluent? ›Level B1 corresponds to independent users of the language, i.e. those who have the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers.
How long does it usually take to learn German? ›In fact, it takes a native English speaker an average of 30 weeks (750 hours) to become fluent in German.
Is 4 years enough to learn German? ›In short, yes of course it is. I don't usually subscribe to the exact levels people talk about when they tell you how many hours to study in a specific language (because what is “study” right there?), but reaching C1 level in 4 years doesn't seem overly cumbersome at all.
Can I learn German in 9 months? ›These stats show that after 7 months (or 700 lessons), roughly 50% pass their B1 exam. Standard language schools are likely to have slightly but not significantly better results. They assume that an average learner can get to B2 level – the level that would fit those goals above – in 9 months of intensive studying.
Can I learn B2 German in 1 year? ›I have taught many students throughout the years. Even though most of them learn relatively fast and achieve B1/B2 level in about 12 months, just a few of them get to B2 level in 4-8 months. Some character traits make them unique.