How to learn German

One of the most challenging things when studying abroad is to learn the spoken language of the country you are going to study in. Even though some things in life are difficult or challenging it does not mean you cannot master them or achieve your aims: You can use challenges to prove yourself and to grow up on them. Especially learning a new language will help you to grow in so many ways: You can expand your knowledge, make new friends and become part of a total new culture and a whole country. Moreover, you can benefit from learning German regarding the future and job opportunities – Germany is a highly positioned country of economy and technology worldwide and has an excellent reputation in this way. Admittedly, the German language is not the easiest language, but if you are willed to study with discipline and ambition you will progress in such a short time.

The following text gives you some tips and shows a few possibilities how you can learn German in the easist way – for free!

If you were already planning to study abroad in Germany for a long time you should ask your home university if they offer some language courses in German. Already knowing some basics of the national language is very helpful and you will leave a good impression when arriving in Germany. You can make new friends easier and Germans will appreciate your effort in trying to communicate with them in their mother tongue.

If your home university is not offering German language courses at all, you still have the opportunity to participate in a language course at the German university. Most of the (public) universities offer language courses for free and especially foreign students can join special courses, only prepared for them. Mostly, you can join an intensive German language course before starting to study your main subjects and – as long if you want – a language course during the semester besides your main subjects as well. These language courses are not only helpful because you can improve your German language skills – you will also meet other foreign students and can help each other out.

This is the typical win-win-situation for both parties: You can register yourself at a so called tandem program, a language partnership, and will have the possibility to learn German from a native speaker. The best part of this program is that you can teach a German your mother tongue in exchange for getting to learn German. The special feature of this program is the benefit for both sides and the fact that you do not have to be ashamed of making mistakes, because you know that your tandem partner is in the same situation as you are. To participate in this program you just have to register yourself and create a short profile in which you describe your language skills and name the language you want to learn. Afterwards you have to add the level of your language skills. If you are not teaching your mother tongue you have to teach another language you are very good in (fluent in writing and speaking) because the other person shall also benefit from this partnership. If you are participating in the program and you will not find somebody from the city you are studying in, you also have the opportunity to “meet and talk” online and/or with Skype.

Tip: Many German universities are offering this tandem program themselves. It is still easier to find your perfect learning-buddy when you are studying at the same university and living in the same city. It works similar to the program you can find in the internet: You just have to register yourself at a special platform of your university and have to mention your language skills, your language level and which language you want to learn. Afterwards you will get a short list with adequate persons who fit your description, can choose one and contact him or her to ask for a partnership. The advantage and positive side effect of this program is to combine studying with free time: You do not only learn a new language in such an easy way – maybe your language-buddy turns out to be a good friend as well!

I already lived and studied in a country where English is not spoken very much and know how difficult it can be to learn a total new language. I will recommend you the experience I made while studying abroad: You have to hang out and make friends with natives! Let yourself be a part of the new culture and the country and try to get in touch with Germans. Besides learning the language in the easiest, fastest and most comfortable way, you will get to know the culture more intensively when you surround yourself with Germans. First, it will be hard and perhaps even frustrating when everybody speaks the same language except you – but I can assure you that you will make progress in such a short time. The advantage of having friends who are natives is also that you can ask them how to pronounce or spell something all the time - without having the feeling to bother someone. Furthermore, you will learn some German expressions of everyday life you will not get to know in any language course.

If you follow my advice, you will meet people who will probably stay in your life even after finishing your semester abroad. I guess that is what you call most profit with the smallest effort: Gaining knowledge and friends rolled into one.

If you are not able to use any of these learning-methods mentioned above, you still have the option to participate in a language course in an institute or an organization in the city you are studying in. For example, you can take lessons in DeutschAkademie or in the Evolanguage school, big institutes that offer German courses in several German cities. It depends on the institute and the amount of lessons you take, but a language course for four up to six weeks can cost 200€ up to 400€ - which is a lot of money for a student. 

You should only consider this possibility when you really want to learn German and cannot follow any of the recommendations mentioned before.

- listening to German music

- watching movies and series in German (or at least turn on the German subtitles)

- reading German, easy written books (for example some books for children)

- practicing/using simple phrases while going to the supermarket or the bakery store (e.g.: “Drei Brötchen, bitte!” („Three bread rolls, please!“) or “Vielen Dank und schönen Tag noch!” (“Thank you very much and have a nice day!”) etc.)

- changing the language of apps/websites you use often and know well enough (e.g. Facebook)

As you can see, there are plenty of possibilities to learn German or to improve your German language skills without paying anything for it. When you will say your first sentences in German and native speakers are able to understand what you say, you know all the spent time and the effort you put into learning German was totally worth it. German may seem a bit difficult to learn, but you can profit from it in so many ways if you are able to speak and write in German after your semester abroad. Please, do not put so much pressure on yourself and don’t sink back in despair if your first tries may seem a little bumpy – everything will work out. Nobody expects you to speak German fluently after your semester abroad – and to be honest: Even some Germans have their own problems with their mother tongue (keyword: German grammar), so nobody will blame you for making mistakes…

It cannot hurt to give the German language a real chance – especially when it includes having a good time and meeting new people. Could there be anything better than combining studying and making some new friends?