German is a language that can be very specific and confusing at times because there are many unique turns of phrases and long words. Luckily, there are many German resources available to help you incorporate the language into your everyday life. These resources will help you passively pick up common phrases, get used to German sentence structure, and naturally get a feeling for if a word is a der, die, or das (three forms of the direct article “the”).
Our expert tips for learning German tie into Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method, which helps you learn a new language by pairing words with contextual images for a more natural learning experience. With lots of built-in speaking practice, you’ll feel confident that you can speak German after a few lessons.
Table of Contents
1. Get in the habit of speaking German out loud
Speaking German in casual situations can help you feel more comfortable because there is no pressure or judgment. And, the more you speak out loud, the more natural German will feel to you. Look for different opportunities to speak German, so your learning journey will be fun and your fluency goal will feel attainable.
Speak German to yourself
For some learners, it may be more comfortable to practice speaking German without an audience. Try applying your German vocabulary lessons to what you are doing during the day. Describe out loud what’s left on your to-do list, or tell your pets wie süß (how cute) they are.
There are many German phrases you can use to practice by yourself and get started. The important thing is to speak German out loud about different topics regularly.
Visit a Sprachcafé or INT’L CAFE
If you are in a German-speaking country, you can look for a Sprachcafé (language café) near you. These are places where people gather to meet others learning German as a foreign language and practice together over coffee and cake. For the US, there is a similar language café initiative called INT’L CAFE with programs in various major cities.
If you’re in another country, there might still be a community of German learners near you or programs similar to a Sprachcafé. It’s always worth a quick internet search to see if there are like-minded people to meet and practice with!
Create your own Sprachcafé at home with Rosetta Stone tutoring
With Rosetta Stone tutoring, you can practice speaking out loud about specific topics with an expert German speaker wherever you are—even at home. These tutoring sessions offer a safe environment with expert feedback and tips for you to gain confidence in your pronunciation. You can bring your own cake and coffee, too.
2. Revisit your favorite books, shows, and movies in German
Knowing how many people speak German, it’s no wonder that a lot of media gets translated into this language. This is good news for anyone trying to learn it! There are high-quality translations and dubs of books, video games, movies, and TV shows. If you have a particular piece of media you’re fond of, search out the German translation and use it to learn.
Using media you’re familiar with is helpful for beginners because you already know what is happening and can focus on the language. You might find that you intuitively understand words and phrases you’d otherwise have to look up.
Read German books
Books are a great resource for new vocabulary and are available on a variety of topics. And there are easy ways to access them online and for free. You can revisit old favorites or explore books you’ve never read before.
The German Goethe Institut has a huge online catalog of e-books for rent in their Onleihe, which is a portmanteau of the words “online” and Ausleihe (the circulation desk in a library). They have novels, travel guides, essays, magazines, audiobooks, and more.
You can also look for German books from your local bookstore or library. A lot of libraries have international selections, and it can be worth having a look at the selection.
3. Watch or read German news
The news can be a great tool for learning a new language. National news sources help you become more familiar with German places, culture, and politics. The German news show Tagesschau has a version in easy German, which is available to watch internationally. It’s a great entry point into German news and the language.
For German newspapers, you can check out the Goethe Institut’s online library of free digital versions of German newspapers, which is updated daily!
4. Enjoy German music
German music helps you become familiar with the sound of the language while focusing on other tasks. You can also study the lyrics and learn to sing along to practice your pronunciation.
To help you find a starting point with German music, check out some suggestions for your new playlist:
Schlager
The genre of Schlager (hit) is one of the most enduring German genres. The specifics of its sounds can vary depending on the decade. But what all Schlager songs have in common is that they are catchy pop tunes with repetitive choruses that are easy to sing along with.
Popular songs include Udo Jürgens’ Ich War Noch Niemals In New York (I’ve never been to New York) from the ‘80s and Helene Fischer’s Atemlos durch die Nacht (Breathless Through the Night) from the 2010s.
Neue Deutsche Welle
This genre, which translates to “new German wave” and is often shortened to just NDW, was popular in West Germany in the late ‘70s and ‘80s, and many of the songs remain popular today.
There are some NDW songs that also gained international popularity, such as Falco’s Rock Me Amadeus and Nena’s 99 red balloons (or 99 Luftballons, as the German version is called). These will feel familiar.
Deutschrap
German rap and hip-hop music are combined into the genre of Deutschrap. Lyrics of this genre often include metaphors, are spliced with English, and cover a variety of topics. This creates a fun exercise for German learners to untangle the lyrics of Kollegah or Shirin David and Co. to deepen their understanding of German slang.
5. Look up vocabulary words about things you love
Involving your hobbies and passions in your language learning can help keep you engaged. And since you likely know a lot of the terminology in your native language, you’ll be able to pick up the German vocabulary more easily. If you have a specific hobby, practice using the German terminology as you engage in the activity. You could also see if there’s a German community surrounding that hobby to engage with.
Whether it’s looking up aquarium-specific terms or dog breeds in German, or a crafting hobby such as Stricken (knitting) and Sticken (embroidery), there are a ton of resources in German about all kinds of hobbies.
Learn how to speak German confidently with Rosetta Stone
It’s important to find fun ways to gain familiarity with the German language because that’s what helps build confidence. The Rosetta Stone app is built to be your language companion at any point during your day. With it, you have many language-learning opportunities at the tip of your fingers.
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