How long does it take to learn the German Language?

The German Language is considered one of the most desired languages in the world. It has a wide fan following among the millennials who love to experiment with new ideas, language, art forms etc. This language has gained a lot of admiration from people across different cultures. German is considered a ‘humble language’ by many youngsters who wish to master in different languages of the world. It is poetic in nature and has a tint of charm and elegance attached to it.

There is a growing number of people all over the world who are getting themselves enrolled for the German course as part of their foreign language curriculum. The reason behind this popularity is better job prospects for candidates with foreign language listed in their curriculum vitae. Also, other aspects like exploring different cultures, knowing multiple languages as a hobby, pursuing higher studies preferably in Germany etc, are many reasons that have influenced the increase in trend of learning the German Language.

Learning German could seem like an uphill task initially, but once you start the journey, it is easy and fun to do, depending on how you perceive it.

How long does it take to learn German?

This is a common question in the minds of the learners, way before they start their journey.

Learning any new language is not a week’s journey at all. It takes time because you begin as a fresher without any basic knowledge about the language. It is like starting the entire process of learning, so as to communicate, but in a different language. It might take a few months to master the skill but it completely depends on the effort you pour into it. The better the preparation, the faster the results.

There are many other questions that pop in the minds of new learners when deciding to learn a new language.

“How to learn the German Language easily?”– This could be the most common question among the majority of the learners.

This is an era of a fast-paced world. There is no time to get stuck to one single activity for a long time. One has to keep moving to progress in life. In such a fast-moving world, any learner would want the easiest way to learn this language. But, there is no spell that can make your learning magical. It needs commitment and a smarter way of learning. Nothing of great worth is easily achieved. As rightly said, “No pain, no gain.” It cannot be denied that even a tough task can be made simpler by prior planning and determination. There are many ways to learn German, easily.

• Read, read and read: One of the oldest, yet the most effective way to learn any new language easily is to read books, journals, articles or any material available in the respective language. This will help you to get familiar with many german words. Don’t restrict yourself to any particular type of material. Exploring any content can prove to be beneficial as long as it is in German.

• Think German: It might seem weird, but this is one factor which has a major impact on language skills. When you start learning a new language, you need to start thinking in that language only. One mistake that many make is that they think in their native language, then translate it the German language mentally. All this process takes a long time and also hinders fluent and effective communication. It is better to start thinking in the German language, which is straight to the point and requires no lengthy procedure.

• Observe: Ever wondered how you learnt your mother tongue when young? How do children learn a language? It is by observing people around them, the way they speak and the way they behave. Thus, you need to spend more time with German-language speakers. Observe the small details in the way they communicate. This observation can help you learn faster and easier.

• Start with vocabulary: Learn while following a step-by-step approach. It is the best way to learn any new language. Start by learning the alphabet. Brushing up vocabulary comes at a later stage. Never rush to statements without mastering these basics. Learn all the words, grammar, pronunciation perfectly. Break the process into short goals.

• Learn basic enquiry: When you start learning the statements, prioritise by learning how to ask for directions, time, the basic salutations, greeting etc, which form the basis of any communication. For those who are learning German to study or work in Germany, a basic level of communication becomes a mandate for easy living.

There are many platforms available both online and offline which provides classes for German lessons. One can even opt for self-learning or depend on any coaching institute for better and faster results due to the expertise they possess. There are many foreign language institutes that can provide short-term German courses. Joining an institute and getting trained by a tutor will help you in getting a hold on german grammar, grammar rules and german pronunciation. Try to choose coaching institutes that have reputed tutors and have a good record of imparting value education to learners.

How to learn German at home? 

This question arises in the minds of people who know that these days, everything is just a click away. All thanks to technology!

Learning German at a coaching institute can be quicker but may not suit your pace and comfort. Nowadays, one can adopt various online platforms available to learn any new language.

Learning German at home is a very convenient option, especially for working professionals and also for students who attend full-time college. They can adjust their learning to the schedule and the time available.

The German Language can be learnt by following a few simple steps:

• Watch Movies: This could be one fun way to learn the German language. Watch interesting movies in German and try to get movies with English subtitles, which will assist you to understand the language better. This helps one to know the language, and also the way to carry on the conversation, the style and pronunciation well.

• Watch News: German language news could be another very good source to learn the German language as it deals with daily usage words. This will help German learners learn new words from a common man’s perspective.

• Read novels: For bookworms, this could be a good treat for their reading appetite. Try to explore the new world of German novels, storybooks, magazines from any genre you are interested in such as horror, fiction, cookery etc. Get yourself immersed in this new world of literature. To improve your german vocabulary, make an effort to learn at least one new word every day.

• Online Material: For this, you only need a good internet connection, a device and passion to learn something new. There are numerous websites, portals, youtube channels which cater to your German language learning needs. Try to find authentic and reliable sources that make this learning simpler and fun to do. There are many videos by native German speakers who make the learning process very simple by giving you the exact tips and tricks needed to master this language.

• Applications: There are many apps which can help you in learning the German language by using different methodologies such as games, word puzzles, videos, online tutoring etc. This is very convenient and can be done anytime you find a few minutes to spare from your busy schedule.  You can do this while travelling in buses, metro or finding some time off in your recess.

• Friends: Try to find people who are on the same journey as you are. It would be even better if you could find native German speakers. They could be the best source and help you in learning the German language in the easiest way.