Writing poses its own unique set of benefits and issues for German language learners. Since you have time to think and review what you want to say, there are better odds that you can learn the grammar and other aspects of German.
The most difficult skill to master when learning German is writing texts. There are quite a few problems to overcome before one can produce a readable or even enjoyable text.
Like written English, written German is more structured and formal. This means that the rules that you learned always apply, so it’s a great way of practicing what you learn in a class or after a lesson. Let me do a quick analysis of the difficulties that you will come across and then present to you what I think is an excellent tool to get started with your German writing practice: Dictations!
German Spelling of Native German Words
One of the main two problems of written language is the fact that German is spoken differently than it is written. The word ‚Vater‘ e.g. is spoken ‚farter‘. The ‚r‘ is never pronounced at the end of an unstressed syllable.
Also, in everyday communication Germans tend to ignore the second last ‚e‘ like in ‚kaufen‘ e.g. which then sounds like ‚cow-fn‘. Or the ‚ig‘ in ‚mutig‘ turns into an ‚ich‘ just because it is at the end of the syllable making it indistinguishable from the ‘ich’ in ‘glücklich’.
There are surely many more examples and the good news is that in German the gap between the spoken and the written language is much narrower than in English. But yet the differences certainly will cause you trouble. Please see also the article about how to practice listening comprehension to understand the physiological side of this issue.
Upside down
The other big challenge is the German sentence structure that often differs from the English one (or your native language’s structure). As you have already internalized your mother tongue’s patterns and melodies, you will find it hard to switch to something totally different. Let me illustrate:
Maria geht ins Kino. Gestern ging Maria ins Kino.
Maria goes to the cinema. Yesterday, Maria went to the cinema.
>> identical structure >> different word order
Or the side-clauses:
Ich fahre nicht in Urlaub, weil ich kein Geld habe.
I don’t go on holiday, because I have no money.
and when you put the sideclause in front:
Weil ich kein Geld habe, fahre ich nicht in Urlaub.
Because I have no money, I don’t go on holiday.
Understand that your mind will always be tempted to use the structures that it got used to over the last twenty to forty years. It will take quite some effort from you to overcome this tendency.
das Heft – the notebook / Image via Pixabay
Dictations will help you overcome these problems
You might remember dictations from your time at a regular school. I never really liked them that much as I wasn’t really the king of orthography at that time. But later on, while learning French, I realized that writing dictations helped me to improve my writing skills. Nevertheless, it took me many years to realize why it helped me and why I should use it in my classes. A dictation has several benefits:
- You train several skills at once: vocabulary, reading, listening, writing and structuring
- They can be done on your own.
- They reveal your progress almost instantly
I won’t go into detail here as I would like you to simply try it for a few minutes a day for just one week. Then you can see for yourself if what I have experienced also is true for you.
How to do Proper Dictations
Before you start listening and writing, prepare the text that you are going to work with. That means, read it, mark the new words, write them in a list and look them up in your dictionary. Then read the text again until you get 80% of its content. You may use your vocabulary list in the beginning.
Only when you understand what you are listening to can you learn from it. That’s why I do not recommend listening to the radio as it provides too little backup for beginners to work with. When you are clear about the text, get ready for the dictation. There are a few steps that you should always follow to establish a working routine:
- Note the time when you start with the following routine.
- First listen to the whole text. Do not write anything at that stage.
- Listen a second time but this time: sentence by sentence or at least part by part. Listen as many times to a sentence (part) as you need to get a grip on what is being said. Later on you will widen your attention span automatically. Pause after what you consider a fair amount of words and write down what you have just heard.
- When you are through with the text, take a deep breath, or take a one minute break and then listen to the text again while going over what you have written. Correct mistakes that become clear to you.
- Now take the original text and compare with your work. Mark the mistakes with a highlighter. Do not use a pencil or simple blue pen. Your mistakes have to be clearly visible. Don’t listen to those who claim that one shouldn’t mark mistakes but the correct words. That’s nonsense. You are a smart human being and can easily differentiate. To learn from your mistakes you must notice your mistakes.
- Write the number of mistakes and the time that you needed until step 5 onto the paper.
- Write it again after several hours or better one day break.
- Repeat this routine until you are only making a few minor mistakes.
This is it. Give it one week with one text. Check this link to get to the links with the dictation material. I wish you success and would love to read about your experience with dictations in the comments.
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Read a Lot
Mastering the art of German writing involves immersing yourself in the language through extensive reading. Reading not only expands your vocabulary but also acquaints you with the intricacies of German grammar structures and idiomatic phrases or expressions, which can prove challenging for learners.
While learning the German alphabet is fundamental, understanding the rules of written German (orthography, punctuation, and conventions for various formats) takes your understanding to a higher echelon. Regular reading practices play a pivotal role in achieving this. Optimal progress comes from selecting texts slightly above your current fluency level. This challenges you while ensuring steady advancement.
Diversify your reading materials, encompassing novels, newspapers, essays, academic texts, and web articles in what is considered Standard German, as well as regional varieties. A varied approach enhances your overall writing skills, exposing you to different language styles and grammatical structures in written German. This exposure will make learning German more efficient, as well as more fun.
Regular Practice
To enhance your writing skills, establish a regular writing routine. Dedicate time daily or weekly to writing in German, even if it’s just for ten minutes, for example. How long the text should be is based on your current level but also on how busy you are.
In any case, consistency is key, and the more you write, the more skilled you become at writing in German. Also, making your writing practice interesting is crucial to sustaining motivation. Explore online platforms offering writing tasks or prompts for diverse topics.
Consider maintaining a journal in German to practice regularly and track your progress over time. You can also engage in writing contests or challenges to push your boundaries and measure your skills against other learners.
The essence lies in finding topics you are interested in and enjoyable ways to express yourself in German. Whether it’s through fiction, poetry, a letter to a friend, a translation of your favorite lyrics, or simple blog posts about daily life, make it fun. Finding enjoyment in writing increases the likelihood of sticking with it in the long run.
Start Small and Move to More Advanced Topics
For those at the beginning of their German writing journey, starting with simple sentences and topics makes the experience stress-free and fun. Start simple and begin by writing about familiar or everyday subjects, such as describing your day or telling about a recent event. No need to be overly ambitious, just use phrases and grammar that align with your comfort level, gradually expanding as you gain confidence.
As your comfort and confidence grow, challenge yourself with more complex subjects, advanced German vocabulary, and intricate grammar structures. Experiment with longer sentences, varied syntax, and different tenses.
Integrate topics related to learning German into your writing practice. Explore aspects such as the German spelling reform, compare native German words to vocabulary in other Germanic languages, loan words, or expand your knowledge of German culture. Practice specific writing elements, such as formal letters or discussions on specific topics, to become adept at various writing styles, acquire academic vocabulary, and prepare for exams.
Revise Your Texts and Work on Your Weak Spots
Regularly revising your writing is crucial, especially without native speaker feedback. Identify common mistakes or weak spots in grammar or spelling and commit to improving them.
You can use a German grammar checker or opt for a traditional approach by printing your text and meticulously checking it, correcting mistakes as you go. Consider rewriting the edited text to reinforce correct spelling and grammar patterns.
Anyway, just try to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. The more you practice and revise, the more errors you correct, leading to continuous improvement in your German writing skills.
Incorporating these strategies into your journey of learning German enhances your writing skills while making the process enjoyable and sustainable. Explore, express, and evolve in the rich tapestry of the German language. You can use these skills in combination with others to help you learn german fast and master your new language.
Online Tools for German Writing Practice
Here are some helpful suggestions on tools that can help you in your German writing practice.
Use Online Dictionaries, and Not Just to Correct Spelling
There are many free online German dictionaries available today. You should use one whenever writing to not just look up the spelling or meaning or translation of a word but also see an example or two of how it can be used in context.
For German learners, Leo is an excellent resource for looking up words and common phrases. It also offers the advantage of discussion forums. If you encounter a term that still perplexes you after searching, you can initiate a new discussion, and fellow members will readily assist you.
Linguee proves beneficial for intermediate to advanced German learners. Upon searching for a word, the website displays paragraphs illustrating the word’s usage, providing insights into various contexts.
Thesauruses
Beginners often find themselves using the same words repeatedly due to a limited vocabulary. As you expand your word repertoire, online thesauruses become invaluable.
Open Thesaurus stands out as one of the finest online German thesauruses. If you are tired of always using “schön” to say ”beautiful”, a quick search in the thesaurus will yield a wealth of alternatives like “hübsch” (cute), “umwerfend” (gorgeous), and “prächtig” (magnificent), accompanied by in-context usage. As we already said, seeing an example helps you see nuances in synonyms and learn how to use a word correctly.
Templates
Many basic German documents and letter styles adhere to a stylistic approach distinct from that in America. Rather than hastily drafting an important letter as you would in your home country, careful consideration is required to avoid conveying the wrong impression. Using an online template can help you navigate these nuances.
Numerous letter and email templates are available online. Depending on your specific needs, a simple Google search for terms like “German cover letter” or its equivalent in German, such as “ein Anschreiben” or “Bewerbungsschreiben,” will yield a variety of options.
If you like these ideas on how to improve your German, we have many other tips on our blog. Check out our articles on interesting and innovative ways to improve your German.
Interesting to Know: The German Kurrentschrift
From the 16th century until World War II, Germany had a distinctive style of printing and handwriting that set German apart from other European languages. The term “Fraktur” was used to describe the printed German, characterized by its “broken” appearance.
In contrast, the handwritten spelling form of German, where the letters were connected, was referred to as “Kurrent” or “running” script. While Fraktur remained relatively consistent over the centuries, various norms for Kurrent were developed, leading to different styles of handwriting.
Many older Germans today were taught to write in the “Sütterlin” Kurrent style. This style was developed by Ludwig Sütterlin, a graphic artist from Vienna (1865–1917). The Sütterlin script was based on the style of handwriting used in the old German Chancery and was taught in German schools from 1915 to 1941.
FAQs
Here are some of the questions asked by those interested in improving their writing skills.
What is the German writing style?
The German writing style is characterized by a formal and precise approach. It values clarity and directness, with a tendency towards longer sentences and complex syntax. Additionally, formalities such as addressing people by their titles are common, reflecting a structured and well-organized communication style.
What writing system does German use?
The German writing system uses the Latin alphabet, like English. However, it includes a set of additional characters such as umlauts (ä, ö, ü) and the Eszett (ß). The alphabet consists of 26 letters, with certain letters having unique diacritic marks, contributing to the distinctive German pronunciation and spelling.
What is a ß in the German alphabet called?
The ß in the German alphabet is called “Eszett.” It is one of the unique letters in German representing the sharp “ss” sound. The letter is used in specific instances, especially after long vowels or diphthongs. While not every word with a double “s” uses the Eszett, it has its own rules and is an essential part of German orthography.
How can I improve my German fluency?
Improving your German language skills involves a multifaceted approach. You can learn German with the help of a tutor and by having regular conversations with native speakers. You can also watch German films, and listen to German music or podcasts to enhance your listening skills.
Also, immersing yourself in the foreign language you are studying through various activities contributes to overall fluency. Consider language exchange programs or online platforms to converse with native speakers and gain practical experience.
Summing Up: How to Write in German
So, the ”correct way” to learn German writing involves regular reading, diversified materials, and consistent practice. Starting with simple topics and progressing to advanced subjects ensures a gradual and enjoyable learning process. Revision becomes crucial to identify and rectify weak spots. And with the variety of tools available online today, you should also explore online tools like dictionaries and thesauruses to enhance your writing skills.