Tips for your German course

constant rhythm  

You don't learn the German language in one day. 

Organize your day and week with fixed dates for studying. The rhythm has to match everyday life.

Important: Not too ambitious, better realistic!

Producing

Understanding only is not enough. 

You have only learned something when you can produce it yourself. After dealing with a topic, you should test yourself.

Important: Compare your own production with the original!

practice without fear

Communicate with other students or Germans 

Speak as much as you can at every opportunity ... Test that the Germans can understand you.

Important: Don't be afraid of mistakes!

Form of the day

Problems, stress, work, weather ... affect concentration. 

The variety makes it possible to do something for the German course even on weak days. Divide the activities into everyday situations.

Important: On good days, really choose the activity that requires concentration!

Relation between learning and forgetting  

To forget is normal. 

Repetitions are already preserved in good material, but must also be done additionally. Forgetting is not a defect.

Important: You forget some things 3-5 times before you really know them!

Mixture of activities

Diversity brings variety and increases motivation. 

Listen to music, repeat, study, watch films, games, tests, courses, conversations, radio ... the more different activities, the better.

Important: Get an overview of the possibilities and sources at the beginning of the course!

good organization

A language course or self-study brings a lot of information. 

Organize the material and media with a logical concept. Chaos and searching take time and cause frustration.

Important: On these pages you will find information on how to organize your German course!

Try learning methods

To study doesn't work without memorization. 

Test your memory and see how best to memorize vocabulary and grammar. Flash cards, lists, vocabulary trainers, memos ... help.

Important: Find the best method for yourself!

create a German environment  

If you do not live in Germany or Austria. 

Switching computers or applications to the German language, naming objects in the household, running German radio on the Internet ... Outside of Germany, it is difficult to find the course content in everyday life.

Important: Not too much! The change must match the level of the German skills.

train with dictations  

Understanding begins with hearing. 

Exercise regularly with dictation. This is how you get used to the sound of the German language and identify words.

Important: After the check, listen again and read along aloud!

different sources  

Media and publications make it possible. 

Texts, audios, videos, exercises, games, tests, learning vocabulary, repeating grammar, conversations, courses. Variety enriches the language course.

Important: Get an overview of the material and sources at the beginning of the language course!

always repeat  

Audios in the car or on the smartphone are a good addition. 

Man lernt besser, wenn man versucht, Melodie und Inhalt identisch wiederzugeben. Nur Zuhören ist nicht genug.

Important: Most children do this automatically!

fatigue

Own concentration or stress for the partner. 

There is only limited capacity for concentration. The partner does not have unlimited patience. Don't expect too much.

Important: Fatigue at parties after thirty minutes is normal.

Use breaks

You can activate lost time. 

Often you have to wait: for friends, for an appointment, at the hairdresser's, ... You can use the time for a German course video or an online game.

Important: At the beginning of the course, find and install the options so that they are available spontaneously during breaks.

Do tests

You have to test your own knowledge regularly. 

This way it is possible to control one's progress. Tests show your own weaknesses.

Important: Tests are not only necessary for certificates!

Open mind

You shouldn't just trust one provider. 

Not only courses but also dictionaries, online systems etc. have their specializations and their weaknesses. It's worth comparing.

Important: You won't find the optimum on the first try!

do not give up  

Sometimes obstacles or doubts seem to block. Or time and money limit the possibilities. 

At the beginning of the German course, a good goal is level A2. If you are tired or in doubt, it is better to switch to another method and continue.

Important: In Germany, too, babies are born without German language skills!