How To Learn German Fast in 4 Steps
Learn German Fast
German is sometimes perceived as one of the more difficult languages for English speakers to learn, partly because of the gendered vocabulary and partly because it can just be intimidating to take on what might sound like a complex language.
As an English speaker, though, you might find that some German words and pronunciations are pretty familiar. What’s the trick to mastering German, or any language for that matter? There are several tactics that linguists and polyglots utilise when learning a new language, including using reliable resources like Idyoma, and we’ve pared them down to a bite-size list of the ultimate ways to learn German fast.
Learn German Fast
Expert Techniques
Personal Motivator
Langauge in your Lifestyle
Native Speakers
Step 1: Try out the Expert Techniques to Find What Works
How you learn is equally important as what you’re learning. There are a few learning techniques that you can try out and see which ones work with your lifestyle, your timescale, and your preferences. Give some of the below techniques a go for a few days and then decide which to continue with:
Pomodoro technique
Using the Pomodoro technique means working in sets of 25 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of rest or relaxation time. This keeps your focus at its peak and prevents fatigue so you can learn German fast and with less frustration. Below is a video to give you more details on how to implement this technique.
Spaced Repetition Systems
A more complex system similar to the use of flashcards, SRS involves using or seeing a word in the language you’re learning when it’s most relevant, and then repeating this over periods of time. Essentially, SRS reinforces a word or phrase and its meaning through repeated, contextual exposure.
Mnemonics
You remember learning new words as a child with catchy rhymes. Turn your toughest vocabulary or grammar rules into a short rhyme or song and you’ll find information is more easily accessible and memorable.
It’s important not to get so caught up in the technical aspect of learning that you lose sight of why you’re learning German and how you will use your new language skills in a real-world setting. Make sure the techniques you choose are well suited to you. For example, not everyone is able to learn grammar rules best by reading about them in a textbook or lecture. Some people find imagery and visualisation helps important information to stick in their mind, others may find things like songs and rhymes are great learning supports to jog their memory if they can’t quite remember all of the tense forms of a particular word. Everybody learns in their own unique way and it’s your responsibility to find the method that helps you the most.
Step 2: Find Your Personal Motivator to Learn German Fast
Learning a new language is a huge decision and it will mean dedicating a great deal of time, effort, and in some cases even a little money for special resources or classes. You’re going to need a really, really strong reason to carry you through all of that with minimal procrastination. The reason why you want to learn a language can easily have a huge affect on how fast you’re able to reach understanding and fluency. Ask yourself, what’s the reason you want to learn German fast? Some of the biggest reasons people choose to learn German specifically might be:
To be able to read critically acclaimed German literature in its original format, without the confusion of translation. Franz Kafka’s works of literature are known for being uniquely profound in its original German editions, especially as translator interpretations may not be true to the author’s intentions in their native language.
To communicate more effectively with others while you travel Germany or other European countries. The German language is one of the 24 official languages in the European Union, with an estimated 100 million people actively speaking it in Europe alone. It’s also one of the top most spoken languages in the EU, meaning you’re sure to find someone who can understand you, wherever you are in Europe. Also, it’s an empowering moment being able to surprise your waiter at a German restaurant by greeting them and ordering in their mother tongue. Local residents are usually glad to be able to communicate with you properly and will be very receptive even if you haven’t quite gotten the accent down.
To find or secure a job in Germany or a role that requires German fluency. With Germany holding the spot as one of the biggest global economies, jobs in Germany are well worth the effort of learning the language. Whether you’ve been offered a role conditional to your ability to speak fluently or you’re hoping to increase your chances of being hired, having a second language on your CV is sure to be useful.
Step 3: Learn German Fast by Working the Language into Your Lifestyle
If you think back to your earliest memory of speaking or having a conversation, you probably don’t recall listening to vocabulary lists while you sleep. Not all learning methods were created equal, but the most effective way of learning another language couldn’t be more obvious. Learn German the way you learned English as a native speaker! As a child you would have been constantly surrounded by English-speakers and English content, making you learn by necessity.
Ever noticed how you seem to pick up a local language much quicker while you’re visiting another country or on holiday? A waitress greets you with something, you ask what it means, and you remember to greet her with the same the following day! Giving yourself context for learning German will be key to learning at a much greater speed.
The best way to implement this idea is to take a look at your daily schedule first. At every point that you would normally interact with your native tongue, see if you can involve some German. One way to put this into practice would be to watch German-speaking TV shows and movies, which you can find easily online for free. Another way may be to change the language settings on your most-used tech. Try switching your PC or web browser to your goal language. You can also read German articles and news through sites like LingQ.
In simple terms, make sure that you’re encountering German every day and in the most mundane and routine of instances. The more you use the language you want to be fluent in, the more natural it will feel. You might find yourself preferring to watch programs with German subtitles for the challenge or repeating your usual coffee order to yourself in German to make it more commonplace in your mind.
Step 4: Talk to Native Speakers Regularly
This step is last but certainly not least. Just as keeping German culture and language in your daily life is key to memory retention, talking to native speakers will unlock the potential you have to learn a language quickly. Social learning is undeniably the best way to learn proper usages and pronunciations, as you get to experience the language in a real-world conversation. Apps like Idyoma allow you to match with others to practice languages, taking turns speaking in one another’s languages to reach fluency.
In situations like this, where you’re able to socialise and talk about shared interests, you’ll be able to connect the bare-bones rules and conventions of a language to its proper use and expression. In particular, being able to share the roles of teacher and learner on apps like Idyoma, it’s easier to discover similarities and differences in each other’s native languages. Conversation exchange can work both in person, by video or even just a phone call, which is especially useful in the global situation currently.
Having a chat with a friend in your mother tongue might sound fun, but holding up your end of a conversation in a completely new language may be intimidating. Try talking to German-speakers in their language to the best of your current ability and skill-level and see if you can tell the difference in your German conversation skills afterwards. You’ll soon build confidence in these friendly, controlled discussions, whether you’re talking to German new friends or teaching professionals.
Final Tips
So when you decide to start your journey to learn German fast, keep in mind these tips:
Try out the top techniques to find the one that fits your learning style best (it’s not one size fits all when it comes to language learning)
Focus on your personal motivations for learning German, whether it’s speaking fluently to relatives or being able to impress the locals while you travel.
Make German a part of your daily routine. Put your Youtube subtitles in German and watch German TV shows online, even try writing your shopping lists in German!
From the beginning, get talking with native speakers who will be able to guide you thoroughly on your pronunciation, word usage, and grammar. Native speakers know best.
If you’re looking for help with that last part, try out the Idyoma app, and get paired with a native speaker to learn German fast and efficiently – the German way!
You can download the Idyoma language exchange mobile app for free here: