Learning German can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor but it can also feel like the worst chore. Worse than cleaning the toilet with a toothbrush. Let’s me share a few pieces of advise from my over 25 years of professional experience.
15 effective techniques to accelerate your German learning journey
1. Use Mnemonic Devices
Mnemonic devices are not “devices” as we understand it today like in “mobile device”. They are basically tricks that help us remember things that are difficult to remember. They can be powerful tools to aid in learning and remembering German vocabulary and grammar rules. Sometimes mnemonic devices include rhymes, acronyms, or even setting information to a tune. You can also create associations or visual images that link new words or concepts to familiar ones, making them easier to recall.
Mnemonic devices engage your imagination and make learning more fun and memorable. By incorporating these techniques into your study routine, you can improve your retention and recall of German language elements.
I use plenty of easy to learn mnemonic devices in all my German courses. My favorite is the Superhero technique that will help you memorize any noun’s gender quickly and for good. Let’s save some space here and you just check the technique out in the first lesson of any of my courses. The first lesson is always freely available.
2. Don’t Worry About Speaking German
You do not have to speak German freely for a long time if you are a beginner. After A2 you can and maybe should consider joining a beautiful platform like Deutschgym (affiliate link). DG does what many other platforms don’t: they keep things simple, small and structured. You can prepare every topic and you will only have 2 fellow speaking partners. Your native German moderator luckily only jumps in for about 20mins. I’m not a fan of my fellow teachers as you might already have figured out. A speaking platform should encourage you to speak and not discourage you by correcting you or worse overcorrecting you. Correcting people is an art which needs to be learned and refined. One bad correction can feel like a deep blow to the stomach. Having moderators however is a good thing because the make the space safer and that’s exactly what DG offers. Check it out once you have finished your A2 course.
Practicing your speaking skills properly and regularly is of course crucial for improving your German quickly. Set aside dedicated time each day for speaking German, even if it’s just a few minutes. Consistency is key to building fluency when you speak German.
Will I Learn German in Your Courses?
And if you work with any of my courses, you don’t have to worry about anything in regards to organization. They’ll guide you step by step and all you got to do is follow my beautifully simple instructions. And yes, you will also practice speaking in my online courses but in a way that’s save, very structured and provides instant and sufficiently good feedback with no risk of feeling punched in the stomach.
After A2 you might also consider finding a language exchange partner or five to practice speaking with a native German speaker. This allows you to receive immediate feedback and gain confidence in using the language but like with conversation groups you need a structure to benefit from such an encounter. I can only warmly recommend our Tandem Training, created by my dear friend Alessio Bona, a C2 German speaking Italian native and a beautiful mind.
3. Focus on German Vocabulary
To improve your German language skills, it’s essential to focus on building your vocabulary. Start by learning common German words and phrases relevant to your daily life and interests. This will help you communicate effectively in various situations.
You might want to utilize flashcards ideally via an app like Anki or Memrise to practice and reinforce your vocabulary regularly. Make a habit of reviewing and expanding your word bank. Additionally, reading German texts, such as books or articles, can expose you to new words in context. I do not recommend any other app mainly because they either don’t adhere to the industry standard which is Spaced Repetition or they cost too much money or they deliver a bad UX. Those two apps are the best apps I’ve worked with in 25+ years (well, in the beginning I was working with paper flashcards but you get the point).
When you actively work on expanding your vocabulary, you will enhance your overall German language proficiency and speak German fluently.
4. “Grok” German Grammar
Understanding German grammar is crucial for effectively improving your German and your communication. And I don’t mean “memorize German grammar rules” as rules will only get you so far. No, I truly mean “understand” it. And that’s where you’ll find out whether your teacher is actually worth their money. Everyone can present grammar rules somehow but can they also make it so crystal clear to you that you have zero doubts left? Because any trace of doubt will slow you down and nag you again and again forever. Get rid of doubt before it gets rid of your German.
And the best way to do that is of course to work with my courses. I cut the crap from all grammar instructions and present it in a way that’s easy to follow and to understand. I explain it in simple English too. In my professional and personal opinion, there’s nothing worth than getting instrcuted in a language you don’t fully understand yet.
And if you truly want to “grok” the German grammar there’s no way around our German Grammar Genius (GGG) course created by my friend and beautiful mind Alessio Bona. You can a get 25% discount with the coupon “blog_ggg_25”. If you pay the course in two instalments, you of course get 25% on each instalment.
By the way, the word “grok” doesn’t come from that sorry excuse for a human being Leon Muskler, it’s from a sci-fi author called Robert Heinlein in his book “Stranger in a Strange Land”. If Muskler has read that book he definitely hasn’t “grokked” it at all.
5. Utilize The Right Kind of Language Learning Apps
If you know me a little bit you know that I am not a big fan of those language learning apps everyone talks about, especially those mobile apps. In my professional opinion, language learning apps are not really suitable to learn any language. BUT the right kind of app can assist you well. So what’s the right kind of app? Let’s call them Language Assist Apps. There are not many that come to mind but the no. 1 app is clearly Anki, the mistress of vocab apps. And the best part is it’s for free. There’s an iOS version that costs 30 bucks and it’s worth it but you don’t need it. You just use the Anki web app on your iOS device’s browser.
Platz 2 is reserved for Memrise also a vocab learning app. Just don’t use their AI stuff. It’s crap but hopefully you’ll see that for yourself quickly. Use it for their flashcards. Their videos are also rather unnecessary if you ask me but are possibly at least worth their while.
Next: Readlang.com. The inspiration for my own vocab tool but far more versatile. Free for the casual learner, and around a fiver for the serious ones.
And that was it when it comes to learning German at least when you work with my German online courses there’s really nothing else you need. The biggest downside of any language learning app in my opinion is their lack of depth. They are fine to learn a few words, read a bit and listen to random stuff they put together somehow but I have never seen any form of enticing consistency.
Another downside of those app is their gameification. An invention from silicon valley that amounts to nothing. Sure the whole carrot or stick approach might work short term but long term you are shooting yourself in the knee with that. The biggest motivator in German learning are a) your progress b) your teacher. You don’t need a leaderboard. Nothing wrong with it either but it doesn’t make up for lack of proper didactics.
End of rant. Work with a properly designed German online course or offline course if you prefer that and make sure it’s been designed by a true professional not just a YouTuber with a grammar book. You can hear my frustration with all those people trying to sell you stuff that you don’t really need and that’s most of the times a mere distraction. To give you an idea: I learned English with help of some paper books, a paper dictionary and two TV-series and had a native american (the US kind not the one’s that used to live in a tipi) next to me for 8 months. That helped a lot. Keep things simple. All you really need is motivation and joy of learning something new.
6. Watch German Movies and TV Shows
This is advise for learners past A2 level!
Lucky for you, you don’t have to move to Germany to surround yourself with the German language. You can do so e.g. by watching movies and TV shows. Choose popular German films or series that match your interests. And make sure you don’t count watching as study time. It’s more exposure than anything. And exposure is good but you need to have some basis to work with it.
When you watch authentic German content, you expose yourself to authentic language, pronunciation, and cultural nuances. Read this post of mine where I describe in detail how to work with series and movies.
Watching things that interest you will add to your motivation. Watching childish stuff that you don’t really enjoy and watch solely for the sake of exposing yourself to German can harm your motivation long term.
7. Listen to German Music and Podcasts
To enhance your German language skills, expose yourself to German music and podcasts. Listen to a variety of genres, including popular songs and podcasts that align with your interests. Those don’t have to be or rather shouldn’t be podcasts that teach you stuff. Again, your interest is the strongest motivator. Feed it regularly.
Music exposes you to the rhythm and melody of the language, helping improve your feeling for pronunciation and intonation. Meanwhile, podcasts provide valuable listening practice and expose you to different topics and conversations. But don’t expect too much. Before you end A2 you won’t get too much out of most podcasts if any.
Focus on understanding the lyrics or content, and make use of available lyrics or transcripts to follow along. Take note of new words or phrases and try incorporating them into your own speaking and writing.
I have encorporated music in my German online courses since the beginning. I’m currently in the process of creating 250 songs with help of AI. Don’t worry, that part of AI is actually pretty impressive and you will like my music. Here’s my latest song. Let me know how you like it.
8. Read German Books, Newspapers, and Articles
Again, most useful after A2 but with help of Readlang.com you might already dive into this feet first already near the end of A1. You can expand your German language skills by delving into German books, newspapers, and articles. Reading materials in German exposes you to various writing styles, vocabulary, and grammar structures. Start with doable literature and gradually progress to more advanced texts. Don’t start with Nietzsche just yet. Dan Brown in German will be much easier to digest and pretty enjoyable on top.
Newspapers and online articles provide current and relevant content that keeps you engaged and informed about German culture and society but they come with their own language. Don’t touch those before B1 or better B2. They are full of the passive and nouns which makes them harder to grasp. Unless that’s your kink, there’s really no reason to work with such texts before you are far into B1.
Use a readlang.com to help you understand unfamiliar words and phrases and practice those words that seem important to you. Regular reading practice massively enhances your comprehension, expands your vocabulary, and improves your overall fluency in German.
9. Take Formal German Lessons or Courses
Enrolling in formal German lessons or courses to accelerate your language learning journey can be useful to get that initial boost of motivatoin. BUT there are a few pitfalls that you should be aware of.
While you will often find qualified German tutors in language schools, they often apply what we call the mononlingual approach. That means they will teach you German in German. This approach is in my honest professional and personal opinion absolutely unnecessary IF you speak English. Because then there are better alternatives which are those that use English to teach you German. If you are interested in the science behind my opinion, read the English articles on this page. If a teacher teaches you in German YOU have to figure out everything for yourself. And some learners are better than that than others but if you have a choice, pick a course or teacher willing to instruct you in English. You’ll be much faster and much less frustrated already in the short run but for certain in the long run.
And the success of group classes strongly depends on the group itself. So always take a trial lesson or a trial week or month. Don’t book half a year in advance just because it’s cheaper. The money you save might cost you many times that in destroyed motivation. I speak from practical experience of having worked in such an environment for over 13 years. And even I as the teacher got bored many times when the group simply wasn’t a good fit.
It’s fine to take advantage of language schools, offline or online but they are quite costly (250 EUR – 1000 EUR / mo) and if you don’t like it you might be stuck for at least a month if not longer. So always test the waters before committing to a longer contract. And keep in mind that teachers an fellow students change quite often over time in most schools.
10. Practice German Writing
German writing practice is a crucial step in mastering the language. It helps solidify your understanding of grammar rules, expands your vocabulary, and enhances your overall communication skills.
Start by writing simple sentences and gradually progress to more complex ones. Consider keeping a journal where you can express your thoughts and ideas in German. Then, you can track your progress by reading old journal entries.
Engage in writing exercises, such as crafting short stories or essays, and seek feedback from native speakers or language instructors to improve your writing style.
In my courses we start very slowly with writing. You write down things that you hear to make yourself famliiar with the relationship between the sounds of German and its spelling. Free writing doesn’t start before B1 and that for good reason. First get a basis in understanding, THEN you have enough capacity to veer off the beaten path.
11. Study German Culture and History
Studying German culture and history is an enriching way to deepen your understanding of the language. Explore the rich heritage of Germany, including its traditions, customs, and famous landmarks.
Learn about influential figures from German history and their contributions to the world. It helps you connect with native German speakers on a cultural level, enhancing your language skills and fostering a greater appreciation for the German language. Or find out more about the history of the FC Bayern München. Especially Uli Hoeneß and Franz Beckenbauer are interesteing characters.
12. Set Realistic Goals and Track Your Progress
Setting realistic goals and tracking your progress is crucial when learning German. Start by defining specific objectives, such as mastering basic vocabulary or improving conversational skills.
Break these goals down into smaller, achievable milestones, allowing you to track your progress effectively. Regularly evaluate your performance, celebrate achievements, and identify areas for improvement.
Adjust your goals as needed, adapting to your learning pace and maintaining motivation.
If you need help with this – and in my daily experience many people actually do – I have a wonderful course for you that takes you by the hand and not only teaches you goal setting 101 but also shows you a powerful mental technique that will help you overcome mental obstacles with ease. Check it out here. It costs less than 6 coffees at Starbucks but teaches you a technique that you can use a lifetime.
13. Stay Consistent and Dedicated
When learning German, staying consistent and dedicated is key to success. Make language learning a regular part of your routine by setting aside dedicated study time each day. Avoid procrastination and maintain discipline in your learning journey.
Embrace the language-learning process, even when it becomes challenging or time-consuming. Find motivation through your passion for the German language and the goals you’ve set.
Remember that progress takes time, quite a bit actually, and each effort you make contributes to your overall improvement. Stay committed, and your dedication will pay off in the long run.
And if you need a bit of human motivation, consider supporting my work with a support membership. That will not only help me keep my courses free but also allow you to benefit from my personal support via my community. And having a bit of human assistance when one needs it goes a long way.
14. Embrace Mistakes and Learn from Them
Embracing mistakes is an essential part of learning German. Instead of being discouraged by errors, see them as opportunities for growth. Mistakes provide valuable insights into areas that need improvement. Take risks and don’t be afraid to speak or write in German, even if you make mistakes. Learn from these errors by analyzing them and understanding the correct way to express yourself. Making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process, and with each correction, you’ll become more proficient in German.
Of course I will show you how to do that in my courses because that’s a teacher’s main task: to teach a student how to learn better and to guide them towards the best methods and materials available.
15. Find a Supportive Language Learning Parter or Community
Finding a supportive language-learning partner or community will greatly help you on your journey of learning German. Connect with fellow German language enthusiasts through language exchange programs, online forums, or social media groups. Deutschgym (affliate link) might be one place to find such a partner. You’ll find that certain people show up again and again and maybe you and they click at one point.
Engaging with like-minded individuals will provide you with a platform to practice your language skills, ask questions, and receive valuable advice and encouragement.
You don’t need to find a tandem partner. A study partner will do the job. Meet regularly 1-2x a week and exchange your experience and what you did that week. Set goals and share them with each other. That will create a feeling of accountability which helps greatly to stay on top of the game. You don’t even have to be on the same level but if the differences are too big the one further advanced might leave you behind at one point because it’s difficult to relate to things that are so far out of one’s scope that one can’t comprehend them just yet.
FAQs on How to Learn German Fast
Let’s look at some frequently asked questions on how to learn the German language fast.
What is the fastest way to learn German?
The fastest way to learn German is by following a clear structure and by sticking to it until you feel it’s time for a new wider structure. This is the esssence of over 25 years of studying the subject of learning languages and of teaching German professionally for about the same time.
Find the right tools and use the properly. Invest time in making yourself familiar with your tools because nothing is more frustrating than having the most powerful tool and not knowing how to make proper use of it.
How quickly can I learn German?
The speed at which you can learn German depends on various factors, including your learning style, the amount of time you dedicate to studying, and your previous language learning experience. Generally, with consistent effort and practice, it is possible to achieve basic fluency in German within 6 to 12 months. That’s if you spend 3 or more hours per day with proper structure and some guidance by a professional. Watching YouTube videos will not get you there. For less ambitious learners 2-5 years is a pretty down to earth number. And for fanboys and girls of the German language, the journey never really ends 😉 but of course its intensity will become less and less over time.
However, reaching higher levels of proficiency and becoming fluent may require 400 to 1200 hours of dedicated practice and exposure to the language. SmarterGerman offers an online German course for each proficiency level. And as of August 1, A1 to B2 are available for free. That might change anytime so make sure to check my homepage for updates.
How can I learn German fast at home?
To learn German quickly at home, you can employ several effective strategies. Firstly, create a structured study plan and set specific goals to stay organized and motivated. Utilize online language learning platforms and resources that offer interactive lessons, vocabulary exercises, and language practice opportunities in a clear and comprehensible structure. There are not too many that I’d spend money on but lucky for you you can try my online German courses for free. Invest 2-3 hours and you will already feel the love and expertise that formed them.
Over time – mostly after A2 – start engaging in activities like watching German TV shows, listening to podcasts, and conversing with other learners through language exchange platforms like Deutschgym to enhance your language skills.
Summing Up: How to Learn German Fast: 15 Effective Techniques
This guide to learning German quickly has hopefully inspired you to learn German fast at home. By exposing yourself to the language, practicing speaking in a structured manner, expanding your vocabulary, and delving into German culture, you will learn at a great pace.
Remember, consistency, dedication, and a growth mindset are key to achieving your language goals. Embrace the challenges, stay motivated, and never shy away from making mistakes.
With perseverance and the support of a vibrant language-learning community, you can easily learn the German language. Embrace the opportunity to connect with German speakers, explore new cultures, and embrace the richness of the German language.