Learning German is possible when you have a clear plan. You begin with obtaining basic skills at levels A1 and A2. Proceed to building grammar and speaking at B1 and B2 and eventually reading and listening to German texts at C1 and C2. It typically takes between 600-750 hours of concentrated study time to attain level B2, which necessitates being patient rather than rushing through studies. You also must be sure to practice in all four areas of speaking, listening, reading, and writing every week.
What Are the Six German Levels of Study?
In learning German, there are six levels according to the CEFR standard. Knowing your German level helps determine your goal and lessons to choose.
- A1: Simple words using the self-introduction only.
- A2: Talking about daily affairs with simple sentences.
- B1: Being able to travel and talk in simple conversations.
- B2: Conversations on many subjects easily.
- C1: Speaking in a smooth and flexible manner.
- C2: Understanding almost everything from listening and reading.
Choose one as your next level or goal. For instance, begin with level A2 and go forward from there.
How Long Does It Really Take?
When it comes to mastering a second language, be cautious of grandiose promises. It takes more like 600 to 750 hours of devoted effort to learn German up to the B2 level. That means putting in an hour a day for almost two years. However, if you put in 2 hours a day, then you cut the time in half. Nevertheless, it is better to study regularly than to cram long study sessions infrequently.
Stage 1: A1 to A2 (Build Your Base)
Start with sounds since German grammar is virtually phonetic. Learn the sounds for ü, ö, ä, and the “ch.” Afterward, learn the 500 to 1,000 most common words. These words will enable you to have basic conversations. Follow up by studying basic sentences such as “Ich habe einen Hund” and exclude all other tenses for now.
Stage 2: From B1 to B2 (Grammar and Speech)
This is where you will find the German language becomes more complicated, but also where you can learn the most speaking skills. Your first step will be learning the three major cases: nominative, accusative, and dative to name a few. Next, you will have to learn some modal verbs such as können, müssen, and wollen before you can get involved in actual conversations with people. Although it may feel intimidating, speaking regularly will enable you to develop your skills more effectively. Do not forget to write short lessons and have them reviewed by a teacher as well.
Stage 3: From C1 to C2 (Advanced German Learning)
At this stage, it will be necessary to immerse yourself in the language by reading the news and other materials without English subtitles. You can also listen to podcasts based on your interests. You may also study advanced grammar points, such as the genitive and passive forms of the language.
The Three Major Issues for Germans
There are three major problems that every beginner faces while learning the language. However, it is always possible to resolve these problems easily.
- Gender of nouns: It is always better to memorize the noun with the article. For example, it is better to know the word der Tisch but not Tisch by itself. It means that you will remember the gender of the noun automatically. If you do not do it, you will constantly be guessing, and very likely always wrongly.
- Cases: In German, articles change with different cases. For example, der Mann becomes den Mann in Accusative case. In such a way, practice the same small pattern every day.
- Word order: In an ordinary sentence, the verb is in the second position. Whereas, in subordinate sentences, the verb goes to the end. For example, Ich weiß, dass he is working today.
Tools for your learning style
Organize your tools into categories to make your plan easy to read.
- Lesson learning: DW Learn German (Nicos Weg) and VHS Lernportal.
- Vocabulary practice: Anki allows for spaced repetition so that your vocab words are shown to you right before you are going to forget them.
- Listening practice: Slow German podcasts and Easy German on YouTube.
- Speaking practice: iTalki, Tandem, or local conversation exchanges.
Finally, keep a basic grammar book nearby to provide clarification on rules.
Practice All Four Skills
Most students only use vocabulary apps, which eliminates their ability to speak and write. Doing your studying over the course of a week helps alleviate this problem.
- Speaking: 20 minutes with your tutor or another learner.
- Listening: Listen to a podcast while you walk or cook.
- Reading: Read two articles a day.
- Writing: Write down five sentences about your day.
For instance, in a one-hour session, allot 15 minutes to each learning skill. Keep in mind that speaking and writing will feel more challenging because they are the hardest forms of learning.
Avoiding common mistakes
Only depending on applications. Using an application like Duolingo is fun, but it does not really help in learning the rules of German grammar! You need to incorporate formal courses as well.
Learning vocabulary without articles. An example of incorrect vocabulary learning is “table = Tisch”! Instead, it would be better to write der Tisch!
Trying to get fluent too quickly. Quick promises often lead to burnout. Instead, set small weekly milestones for yourself.
Not speaking or writing. Studying passively is safe, but people always need practice in order to learn grammatically.
Can You Learn German on Your Own?
Yes, you can. However, you will still need feedback along the way. Therefore, make sure you book a few tutoring sessions each month and sign up for either a language group or partner. From that point, keep on going even on the slow days. Small daily actions do add up, and practice will get you to B2 or higher.