Learning German from scratch can be a difficult process. Additionally, if you need to learn a language quickly, it’s even more stressful. But it doesn’t have to be like that, if you start the right way. We’ve listed below nine tips we recommend for learning German fast. With them, your journey to learn German fast will go in the right direction.
Is it really hard to learn German?
German has a bad reputation as a difficult language, often due to its long words and difficult grammar. But if you’re wondering how to learn basic German, there’s no reason why you can’t do it quickly because it’s really no more difficult than any other language.
Take a look at our article on the topic: “How long does it take to learn German“, and decide afterwards whether you want to learn German in 30 years, as Mark Twain, or in 400 hours.
How to learn German language fast
If learning German quickly is a priority for you, then let’s go through it, step by step.
Set a goal
When learning German from scratch, you should have a goal that will motivate you and give you a sense of achievement when you reach it. Make sure the goal is achievable (you won’t be reading Nietzsche’s philosophy after a month) and make it happen.
You might want to set a goal, which is for example learning 100 words a month. This is achievable, but not realistic and just makes senseless pressure.
A much better goal is this: “I will order food in German by the end of the month.” Or: “In six weeks I will have small conversations with colleagues in German.”
If you are not in Germany, you can set this goal: I will talk to my language partner for 15 minutes without using my native language. If the goal is about practicing talking, check out our article on German Tandem apps.
Your long-term goal will probably be to become fluent or at least semi-fluent in German. Wondering if this can happen in three months? It is possible.
Start with simple German words
In fact, the most important point while learning German is the topic you are most interested in. For example, you can learn the word “cat”. But if you don’t talk about the cat very often, if it doesn’t cover a serious area of your life, then instead of choosing it, you can choose the words you use more often.
You can start with the verbs you use most often, like “to have, to want, to go”. Also, learning model verbs such as “können” (e.g. to be able to play), “machen” (e.g. to do), and “sein” (e.g. to be) can help you get comfortable.
Learn phrasal verbs
Accelerate your vocabulary learning by studying phrases instead of individual words. So when you learn the word “train” (Zug), learn the phrase “to go by train” (mit dem Zug fahren). This will give you the chance to use the word in a context immediately.
If you are learning verbs, you can go even further and memorize many different sentences as your vocabulary grows. With the verb “können” (can) you can say “ich kann Klavier spielen” (I can play the piano). Furthermore you can use “Klavier spielen” (to play the piano) with many different phrases.
Find fun ways to learn German fast
Most of us don’t see German as a fun language. But this is actually because you are new to the language. You can choose German music or listen to podcasts. If these are not enough, you can follow a favorite TV series.
For example, you like cooking? Write your shopping list in German and translate your recipes. Start doing everything that interests you in the language. Why not starting to use your phone in German? It can be an effective way.
You can find the most popular German Podcast resources in our article “ways to learn German” and “learning German from home”.
Try watching content in German
Platforms like YouTube are a free school for you. Add German subtitles to the video you are watching. This way you can easily learn how the words are spelled and your familiarity will increase.
And don’t forget TikTok. Because 15-second videos can be the right length for a beginner in German.
Get out of your comfort zone quickly
Doing something new can often feel frustrating and uncomfortable because there is a comfort zone that you are used to. Stepping out of it means stepping into something new. If you want to learn German fast, you have to get out of your comfort zone. And if you can’t give it up, we’re sorry, but you can’t learn a language.
Being in Germany give you a lot of opportunities. Try going to a café and ordering what you want in German. You may worry about making mistakes. But what is the most that can happen if you make a mistake? You don’t have to get it right, but daring to try will take you one step further.
If you are not in Germany, getting out of your comfort zone will be a bit more challenging. For example, you can find a conversation partner to practice with, therefore Tandem is great. Also you can find native German speakers in your area and connect with them. Remember that the more exposure you have to the language, the faster you will learn.
Participate in online classes
If you want to learn basic German quickly and intensively, then online lessons can be a great way to go. You will need a tutor who will correct your mistakes when you are making progress and are on the right track. Of course, you will also have a plan to follow with the teacher, so it will become easier and easier.
Online lessons will increase your speaking practice. This will improve the way you pronounce words.
Keep a diary
If you want to learn German or any other language quickly, a diary is absolutely essential. Now you may not understand why you need to keep a diary. But every activity you do in everyday life can actually be acts and words that you repeat often.
For example, when you write down what you eat, when you go out for a coffee with friends or when you do what you like, you are practicing the words you need in everyday life.
Thus, you can easily start using those words in daily life. In the evening of the day, sit down and write what you have experienced during the day. When you have difficulties, use the dictionary and mark each new word you learn to make new sentences and reinforce your skills.
Integrate ChatGPT into the language learning process
As technology continues to evolve every day, why not incorporate ChatGPT into our language learning process? ChatGPT can be your personal tutor as well as an artificial intelligence. If you want to learn German fast on your own, then ChatGPT will definitely support you at this point.
For example, you want to learn German for business because you are a journalist. By typing a command to artificial intelligence, you can say, “I work in a German-language newspaper. 5 journalists are having a meeting. Prepare me a 2-paragraph article in German about it”.
After writing this article, ask ChatGPT to prepare a test for you by using it as an exam supervisor and check whether you have answered correctly.
By doing these kinds of activities, you can practice with ChatGPT just like a teacher. If you are starting from scratch, ChatGPT even suggest German resources, prepare a syllabus and provide you with all the information and websites you need.
Learn German quickly with our 9 tips
Now you are ready to learn German, aren’t you? Using these methods you will go a safe way learning German. Don’t forget that in the beginning everything seems scary and complicated. But things will become much easier with the process
If you need a little more inspiration, check out our article “apps for learning German” before you start.
I first came to Germany in 2014 to study for my master’s degree in International Culture and Management. The friendships I made here made me feel like I belonged to this completely different culture, and the family I built with my wife Evrim and son Leo made me call Germany “home”.
As a NASM-certified Personal Fitness Trainer, I also write about sports on Vasistdas.
