Oct 21 2008

Learn German at Home - 3 Quick Tips

Published at 1:30 pm under Language Courses

There are a lot of different resources that you can utilize when learning to speak German at home. Learning a new language is not an easy task for me, but these simple tips helped me out a lot with language courses in the past. Ive learned to speak Spanish fluently enough to converse, read, and even write simple phrases in Spanish with these tips and am now using them to help me learn German.

Tip #1: Watch Movies!

This method is not only simple, its fun, and it can really help develop a foundation. Start watching movies in English that have German subtitles. (Sometimes these are hard to find at U.S. video stores, but you can get almost any movie online) Reading the subtitles while listening to the words in English helps you to better understand conversational German. Also, once you are starting to really be able to understand German, you can start watching movies, spoken in German (or at least dubbed in German), with English subtitles. Try to understand what is being said and use the subtitles only as a guide. This is an excellent way to pick up conversational language without having to visit a foreign country!

Tip #2: Use Flash Cards

Thats right, use this simple technique we were all taught in school! You can use flash cards in two different ways. First of all, you can place a card on objects around the house with the German word for that object. This will help you learn the German words for common things around the house and get others involved. The second thing you can do with flash cards is, put common phrases in German on one side of a card and then the English translation on the other side of the card. Then, speak the phrases in German when ever you have the opportunity.

Tip #3: Read Comic Strips and Childrens Books

I know it may sound silly but by using childrens books you avoid advanced and hard to translate words. Take comic strips, or childrens books that you are familiar with that have been translated into German and practice reading them. These publications will have simple sentence structure and should be fairly short in length. It is also helpful if you have a copy in English so that if you really get in a bind you can translate. Hopefully though, you will know the story well enough to fill in the blanks when you are unsure of a word or phrase. (Again, you can find translated books online fairly easily)

Nothing can replace an actual class, or course in speaking German. But, by using these three tips, you can incorporate learning German at home into your everyday life. This will help you pick up the language more naturally and without hours and hours of studying. You can use these techniques in addition to taking a class or by themselves in your spare time. Just remember, the best way to learn anything is through repetition and by incorporating new things into your everyday life! So, have fun and dont get frustrated. Just keep working and you will get it!

P.S. These tips can be used to help learn any language! So, dont limit yourself just to German. Try Spanish, French, Italian, whatever youre interested in. Also, if you have children around, start using these techniques with them. Children pick up languages very easily, and then you will have partners in your new adventure!

Jennifer is a full time teacher and self proclaimed travel enthusiast. She has studied languages at school and has utilized this knowledge on her trips abroad. She has just come back from Mexico and is planning a trip to France. She also hopes to visit Germany! Did you find those tips on learning German at home useful? You can learn a lot more about how to learn German at home by visiting http://www.we-review-for-you.com/foreignlanguagereview.html.

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