It goes without saying that nowadays speaking multiple languages is a must. It is not only the job market requirement, but also a super power to communicate with foreigners. Especially at this moment of time when travelling is more accessible than ever and people are prone to mingle and create multicultural societies. Flashcards or self-study books are run of the mill language learning tools.
Listening to music, radio or watching movies with subtitles is same old. The below materials are to me language-learning game changers.
Having had the experience with learning German from school, extracurricular classes and a EU funded project it was more of a natural choice to continue a language I have had already some idea of. Other than that I have been on a look out on what another language to pair up with English. Thanks to trying a spatter of each of the following languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Estonian, Icelandic – I have come to realise I liked and required German the most. Both for personal preferences as well as possible career perspectives it could unlock. And here I am, an advocate of the riveting language that is German. What stuns me about it, is the logical structure and the resemblance to English, but also Polish (we happen to have quite a few borrowings when it comes to vocabulary).
Just to list a few German „Kartoffel” equals Polish „kartofel”, German „malen” fits Polish „malować”, German „Jahrmarkt” means Polish „jarmark” and the list goes on.
German however, tends to have a notorious reputation for many reasons. To start with historical connotations, going through the rigid and hoarse sounds that might be found unpleasant. Many consider it too stiff compared to romance Mediterranean languages. Little do they know that it had many French borrowings and that it is a great base for studying Scandinavian languages. It comes as no surprise you can speak German in 4 different countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein. Albeit did you know that you can also chitcha tin German in the eastern part of Belgian Wallonia region?
If your stance towards German remains half-hearted, I urge you to see what one of the world’s most renowned German-learning institution has to say about it – Goethe Institute: www.goethe.de/en/spr/wdl.html
Let me uncover my personally favourite ways of practising German that combine study with entertainment:
Lern Deutsch – A1-A2, a gamified application where you collect points and badges while acquiring and practicing new vocabulary. As you complete the game plot by following challenges, you are also encouraged to interact with other learners to win more points. The app not only has a friendly interface and graphics, but also sound and engaging activities.
Adventure German is an alternative application curated by Goethe Institute with a storyline unravelling throughout the Vincent Morano’s compelling journey through Germany. The main character Vincent is an expert in art. Forgery and his aim is to discover the fortunes of the 4000-year old Nebra Sky Disc – 4000-year old masterpiece depicting the heavens. Additional info and a promo video: www.goethe.de/en/spr/ueb/him.html
Another vast source is Deutsche Welle – DW Learn German – short online series available either on your smartphone or pc. Following Nico’s adventures, you get acquainted with new vocabulary and grammar. The exercise consists of videos, hearing exercises and quizzes after each episode.
Deutsch Lernen – which in short is an aggregate of Deutsche Welle articles in German with a lector reading them out loud. You are able to pause at anytime and translate each word from the article with a simple click on it.
Hello talk – an app enabling to connect with the native speakers or other language learners. You can have a language partner and correct each other’s sentences as well as make short voice clips.
It is vital to mention that all the mentioned apps run on Anroid OP and are cost-free!
Great deal of them is free of charge. In my book these will come to many as no surprise and probably you already know majority of these. If you would like to recommend platform not listed here, drop me a line. The below specified websites consists of lessons where you can learn with a gamified interface and gain points that can be later applied to unlock other functions. The vibrant graphic content combined with reward-system does motivate and hook to continue fulfilling the levels.
Duolingo: www.duolingo.com
Memrise: www.memrise.com
Linguti: www.linguti.com
Hellolingo: www.hellolingo.com
Babadum: babadum.com – a portal with vocabulary games in as many as 22 languages! A perfect pass-time for a lunch break queuing or long ride home on a tram.
Italki: a social network where tutors or language teachers and learners come together www.italki.com/home.
Verbling: is another social media platform which is connecting learners with potential teachers www.verbling.com.
Quiz with German articles practice: quizlet.com/229379766/rodzajniki-der-die-das-flash-cards/.
You can either choose those operated by native Germans or start with ones run by foreigners who either live in Germany or have mastered the language.
For starters subscribe to youtubers who operate interchangeably between English and German. You can either find channels operated by Germans for Germans like: “Get Germanized” or videos created by Germans catering to teach you their remarkable language with short clips: www.youtube.com/user/DeutschFuerEuch
Once you will gain an ample understanding you can try the following Easy German.
Where you can find videos in German showcasing life and actual events in Germany as well as debunking popular stereotypes or myths. Followed by English subtitles it is a thorough start into learning the live German from the streets.
Above all do not forget you can watch widely feted TED talks in German! Recognised by world-wide audiences naturally the TED content is a feast to your lingo and psyche. Probably an endeavour for proficiency level B2 and up.
Just as critical as the previous channels, but with a chilly whiff emerges my last recommendation - Guide to Iceland. Icelandic tour operator blog in German, which features the ultimate marvels of the land of Ice and fire. How could that not be intriguing? Imagine climbing the glacier or visiting an ice cave… How does strolling inside a volcano sound?
All that and way more to explore in a remote and frosty isle called Iceland!
Essential thing about vlogs and blogs created by Germans is the fact some of them are aimed at the German audience and the German culture is therefore at your hand. Additionally you will get your hands on the spoken living language of the youth.
That might not be the ground-breaking formula of studying, but an extremely effective way to familiarize oneself with the language in its natural habitat. Here’s two exemplary webpages enabling to scoop right into spoken German throughout DACHL within a simple click without additional plug-ins. Just to list a couple:
Tune in to listen to original German radio shows. Listening to radio shows from different sides of the country will give you an insight of different dialects: tunein.com/radio/German-Music-g2773/
On “TuneIn” you can connect to a handsome number of auditions broadcasted from entire country. An alternative to “TuneIn” can be “Streema”. Essentially you will be capable of chasing down myriad of similar pages online, test and see for yourself whatever works for you best.
For those on the move who take a preference to mobile frills, “German radio online” seems to be a perfect match, since you can stream the broadcasts on your smartphone: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=an.RadioStream&hl=en
Beyond live shows you can treat yourself with podcasts. It comes to no surprise that my first recommendation will be Goethe Institute German podcasts, followed by Deutsche Welle audios. The two appear to me top notch in cost-free online study aid.
Let us take on “Radio D” one of the many podcast courses ranging from beginner to advanced learner, where accompanied by the main character Phillip we gradually unlock wonders of Deutsch.
Another suggestion is „Mission Berlin” – a series by DW: www.dw.com/de/deutsch-lernen/mission-berlin-episoden/s-9732 is an alternative hearing course to mentioned “Radio D”, this time the listener is introduced to Anna, an English native speaker who is found at a hotel room by a superintendant and is supposed to suport investigation of crime that occured in the mentioned premises. The thread is partially in English and is perfect for those with next to none knowledge of German, but with English-fluency.
You can also open manuscript to follow your sight while you listen to the recording.
Should the visuals be your favour to hone linguistic capabilities, then definitely consider Goethe Institut and DW series „Der Deutschlandlabor”: www.dw.com/de/deutsch-lernen/das-deutschlandlabor/s-32379. Every episode fosters topics concerning German lifestyle and customs. This is a brisk dive into the culture by interviewing individuals and peeking into their genuine activities.
If you already master German on a substantial B1/B2 a video series „Ticket nach Berlin” would be a perfect match for you: www.dw.com/de/deutsch-lernen/ticket-nach-berlin/s-32294.
The general plot develops with the two teams that compete on diverse challenges meanwhile traveling around Germany. The highlight of the activities is collecting tickets and getting to Berlin.
In this thread you have read about handy online based medias such as audio tracks, series and mobile tools, which are accessible for you. Do you already have your front-runner?
The next part will further unravel some of the more physically preoccupying ways of learning, as well as traditionally printed releases. Stay tuned!
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