4 of the Best Ways to Learn German
The best way to learn a new language is always to practice with native speakers. Don’t be sad, however, if you don’t know anyone from German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria or Switzerland. There are still 3 options for learning German through:
- Websites (mostly for free)
- Apps
- In-studio/online classes (paid)
- Online tutors
Which german lesson suit you the most?
As we have the discussed the ways you can learn German in, you might want to ask the next question: which is the best German class for me? If you like to interact with people and want someone’s company when learning German, then in-studio classes probably suit you most. If you don’t have a regular schedule, then you might want to look for a more flexible way to learn. Using websites to learn or taking classes online could help you arrange your schedule more efficiently. Plus, If you want to ramp up your German speaking skills, then online tutors will be your top choice.
Websites for Taking Online German Language Lessons for FREE!
1. Deutsche Welle – learn German online
Deutsche Welle is an international broadcaster funded and founded by the German government. It also has a website of its own. German learners love this site since they offer quite a few free learning resources. It is suitable to all levels of German learner from A1 to C level. They also produce all kinds of interesting videos. After watching the videos, you could try their exercises so that you could get more familiar with the topic. Transcripts are also available too. No need to worry if you missed the words the hosts are talking about.
Recommended programs
Nico’s weg
(A1-B2 level)Nico’s journey started from the the airport. He was practicing German by listening to podcasts in his earphone while he met a girl who tried to spoke German to him. Sadly at that time he didn’t understand that the girl was actually making a compliment on his bag (die Tasche is schön). His German-learning starts from A to Z, like each German language learner. What would his adventure be like? Take a look!
Jojo sucht das Glück (B1-B2 level)
Jojo is a girl from Brazil. In order to find her Mr. right and fulfill her artist dream, she came to Germany. The dream and the reality appeared to be different when she started her new life and met some new friends. Would she be able to achieve her dream? This is one of the most popular series produced by Deutsche Welle for German learners. “Jojo sucht das Glück”. They now have three seasons and each season contains more than 10 episodes. You could also take an online quiz after you finish each episode.
2. Deutsch-lernen.com
Deutsch-lernen ( German Learning) is another free online german learning website suitable for all levels of german learners. They provide formal classes for beginner and advanced german learners as well as some specific courses with different topics. You could sign up for a free account to get more exercise and grammar handouts. They also offer summer school, holiday courses in Germany or in Vienna.
Recommended links
Jokes
Provides a couple of German-style jokes , and to be honest most of all won’t make you laugh. It is still worth getting a taste of the German sense of humor.
Study tips
German could be hard to new learners, so considerately they offer some hints to make you learn German more effectively and efficiently.
Online travel guide
If you are learning German for traveling, working, or immigrating to Germany. Then you simply can’t miss this online travel guide. Enjoy it for free!
3. deutschAkademie – german lessons near me
DeutschAkademie is also an online studio for learning German. They provide more than 20,000 German grammar and vocabulary exercises as well as 800-hour interactive online courses online! It is worth mentioning that all the courses have been designed by experienced German teachers.
Recommended program
- Free audio courses
You could also download the App” learn german DeutshchAkademie” and practice German on your smartphone. If you are interested in this institution and have a chance to learn German in Europe, they also have many intensive courses in Europe Wien, Bratislava, Berlin, Hamburg, Münich). Let’s cast away everything and fly to Germany to have fun learning German.
- Free audio courses
4. Duolingo – learn german for free!
If you have learned other languages before, Duolingo won’t be too unfamiliar to you. Yes, that’s right! You can learn German pretty well on this self-learning website. They also
provide an app for you to control your German learning status much easier and more efficiently.
During the process, you will find learning German just like playing games. The more lessons you take, the more rewards you will gain to motivate you to keep on learning.
5. deutsch-uni– online german classes
The Deutsch-Uni Online is a webportal for learning German. The DUO courses covers language, knowledge about culture and everyday life, even subject-specific skills. It not only provides German classes from basic level to advanced levels, they also teach business courses in which you can acquire more advanced German skills. Since they are funded by institutions like universities and the government, their material is quite professional and of high-quality.
Recommended link
- Different-language documents
Not only does it provide German information about the courses, they also offer informational documents in different languages such as French, Russian, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, and Arabic.
- Different-language documents
6. The German Project- best online german course
The German project is a website designed specifically for beginners to take German lessonswith audio. They have 15 lessons in total for learning useful knowledge of the German language. You will learn how to greet, how to use the German numbers and some common German verbs. Common slangs and expressions are also included in the lessons! That will make you sound a lot more like a real German. Each lesson comes with adorable comic and some practice exercises.
- Recommended materials
- German Children stories
Do you remember how you learned your mother language when you were a child? Now we would like to recall your faded memory. Yes it is a bedtime story. You listen, you read, and you speak out loudly. These stories are catchy and easy to memorize. That’s why it’s suitable for children, but also informative for language learners. - German lessons
If you don’t want to start from child stories, them German lessons could do you a favor. This is not the same lesson as the other normal german lesson. They combine it with funny comics or images to help you better comprehend the context.
- German Children stories
In-studio German classes
7. Goethe institut – german courses
If you don’t want to learn German in your pajamas while craving for more interactions with other German learners, then Goethe institut probably is your best choice. Goethe institute encourages people from all over the world to learn German. Around 246,000 people took part in the German courses offered by the Goethe-institut every year!
For example, in the U.S, they have comprehensive programs of German courses in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Washington. They also have branches in many countries. If this program really attracts you, you could find out the location in your countries and take the courses.
Learn German online
8. Lingoda – best online german course
Does in-studio classes force you to spend too much time commuting? Then consider Lingoda. Lingoda is a online learning German platform where you can find Native German teachers. It also have a high class rating.
You could choose either group classes or 1-on-1 private classes. Usually group classes are led by native teachers and last for 60 minutes, typically with 5 students. If you don’t want to get distracted by other students, then private classes might be better suited for you.
9. Udemy – german lessons
Have you ever heard of MOOCs (massive open online courses)? The courses are pre-taught and recorded before students actually take the lessons. If you become stressful when facing the real people, you can try using Udemy. Udemy offers online courses to a wide range of subjects and not just German.
You can find high-quality German classes in Udemy by paying a few dollars. Be careful before choosing a class and read a lot of reviews. The courses are topic-oriented and more courses are for beginners.
Are you still looking for other German learning resources? Then online 1-on-1 tutors might suit you. Take a look and find out!
FAQs
What is the best free German course? ›
- Duolingo.
- Memrise.
- Lingvist.
- DeutschAkademie's German Audio Course. TV Shows and Videos.
- Easy German.
- Extr@ Government Resources.
- Deutsche Welle.
- FSI German Courses.
The DeutschAkademie's Online German Course is a comprehensive grammar trainer of the German language and is free of charge. The online German course can now be used completely free of charge without registration or login!
Where can I learn free German? ›Learn German in just 5 minutes a day. For free.
Whether you're a beginner starting with the basics or looking to practice your reading, writing, and speaking, Duolingo is scientifically proven to work.
- Find a strong reason that will keep you motivated.
- Learn all the fundamentals of the German language.
- Keep things interesting by learning slang, funny words, and idioms.
- Practice daily. If possible, talk with native German speakers.
- Deutsch Akademie. Deutsch Akademie claims to be the “most comprehensive” free resource for learning German. ...
- Babbel. Obviously, Babbel is one of the big names when it comes to language learning. ...
- BBC. ...
- ActiLingua. ...
- Deutsch Online. ...
- Deutsch Welle (DW) ...
- Deutsch-Uni Online (DUO) ...
- Duo Lingo.
Learning is better together: In our online community, you will find more than 200 German exercises for all levels, free of charge – as well as other people to practise with.
How can I learn German by myself? ›- Set yourself a goal. ...
- Start off on the right foot. ...
- Turn learning German into a habit. ...
- Practise speaking German with online tutoring. ...
- Learn new vocab in meaningful chunks. ...
- Make studying German rewarding. ...
- Dive into German culture with TV.
I highly recommend this to everyone who wants to learn German and experience the culture deeply combined with a lot of fun. Even for people who are only looking to learn the language without the cultural part, Goethe is still the best choice due to the quality of the courses and the great learning atmosphere.
Which app is best for learning German? ›- Anki. This app is designed to help you master new vocabulary through flashcards that you can work with anytime on your smart phone. ...
- Memrise. ...
- WordPic. ...
- Babbel. ...
- DeutschAkademie. ...
- MindSnack's Learn German. ...
- Busuu. ...
- Duolingo.
With Deutsche Welle's mobile courses, you can learn German easily and free of charge. Whether you are a beginner or highly proficient, this is where you will find German courses. You can also learn German with the news or music - from level A1 to C1.
How many years does it take to learn German? ›
German is rated as a category 2 language and considered to be similar to English. The FSI estimates that German takes approximately 30 weeks, or 750 classroom hours to learn.
What is A1 level German? ›The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 is a German exam for adults. It certifies that candidates have acquired very basic language skills and corresponds to the first level (A1) on the six-level scale of competence laid down in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
How can I speak German fluently? ›- Listen in. Every good conversation starts with good listening. ...
- Learn the genders. German has three genders, so it's important to learn nouns along with their gender. ...
- Hack your memory. ...
- Turn up the volume. ...
- Record yourself. ...
- Create a personal phrasebook. ...
- Speak up.
- attend a preparatory course (Studienkolleg) to qualify for admission to university in Germany.
- live and work in Germany.
- prove that you have successfully reached level B1.
- be issued with an official and internationally recognized certificate.
On average, it takes the following amount of time to achieve the next language level: A1: approx. 150 hours of lessons.
Can I learn German in 3 months? ›You need more than 3 months to be fluent. But even with such a short time, if you adjust your strategy, you can actually learn German and get really close to being fluent.
Is A2 German enough? ›Levels A1 and A2: These levels provide you with basic knowledge of the German language. If you have no previous knowledge, attending an A1 course is highly recommended. Levels B1 and B2: Here is where you will learn German at an advanced level.
Where can I practice my German? ›- LEO.
- FluentU.
- BBC Bitesize.
- Duolingo.
- The Mixxer.
- The Foreign Language Library Online.
- German Practice Channels on YouTube.
- Lexisrex.
The app guides you to learn in a natural way through exposure, which works well for English native speakers who are studying German because the two languages are quite closely related. Duolingo German is also good for those who like to jump in at the deep end.
Is Duolingo a good platform to learn German? ›Duolingo offers a well-thought-of German course that is free for any language level. As a beginner, it is important to find a language learning method that suits your style. Moreover, Duolingo is aimed to be a flashcard/game system design that will motivate users to make learning more fun and engaging.
How can I practice German everyday? ›
- Create a study plan and set goals. ...
- Study regularly to improve your German. ...
- Remove all possible disruptive factors while learning. ...
- Always learn German words with their correct article. ...
- Create some helpful study tools. ...
- Invent some simple memory hooks and outwit your brain.
Different German online courses are available on levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. Our free online placement test will determine which level is right for you.
Is VHS Lernportal free? ›The use is free of charge. Vhs-Lernportal is funded by the Federal Ministery of Education and Research.
Can I learn German in 1 month? ›German is a difficult language! Within a month, you should be able to get a hang of most of the basics, such as haben and sein and using the Perfekt tense, enough to where you'll be able to navigate your daily life with relative ease.
What should I learn first in German? ›- Master the alphabet. ...
- Learn easy/important words. ...
- Basic grammar: study nouns, verbs and adjectives. ...
- Learn how sentences are constructed. ...
- Talk to German speakers regularly. ...
- Try watching some German movies or listening to German music. ...
- Learning German online.
There are over 193 best German language courses on udemy with user ratings 4.5/5 and above. Udemy German language courses are created by top-rated German instructors and are beneficial for those who want to learn German for various purposes.
Is German easy to learn? ›Getting Great at German
German might not be as familiar to English speakers as Spanish, but it's still one of the easiest languages to learn. Like Spanish, it's also a phonetic language, which makes pronunciation easy to figure out.
We offer free articles for German A1 and A2 levels that we refresh on a frequent basis, in order to get access to B1, B2, C1 level content and premium articles of the Readle app you will need a monthly or yearly subscription.
How many German words should I learn? ›The US Foreign Service Institute estimates that basic German language skills can be learned in 36 weeks or 750 classroom hours. With consistent practice, mastering the language will most likely take a couple of years. To be fluent in German, a speaker must know approximately 10,000 words.
Which is better Babbel or Duolingo? ›Is Babbel better than Duolingo? After thoroughly testing out and reviewing each language learning program, we feel that Babbel is better than Duolingo for multiple reasons. Based on the strength of their curriculum, teaching style and delivery, we rate Babbel as the superior app over Duolingo.
What is A1 A2 B1 B2 German? ›
The European Framework of Reference for Languages divides language ability into six levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2). Level A1 is the beginner level, B1 and B2 are roughly intermediate level, C1 and C2 represent a good to perfect language mastery, which comes very close to a native speaker, especially in C2.
Is A1 German Easy? ›According to the Goethe Institute's standard format, there are six levels of the German language: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. The first level is A1, and many people believe that it is a very simple level in which there is nothing much difficult to learn.
What level of German is required to study in Germany? ›As a rule of thumb, German universities require you to present a proof of upper intermediate to advanced German language skills (level B2/C1) to study in German.
Can I learn B2 German in 6 months? ›You would on an average need 7-9 months to reach at B2 level and get good rating or they call it “Noten” .
How difficult is B1 German? ›Hi, B1 is the beginning of the Intermediate level as a Deutsch speaker. So, by this time you should be able to carry out basic level conversations and form simple sentences since you would have already completed A2. B1 takes you further deeper in verbs and complex sentence structure.
Is B1 German fluent? ›The B Levels: Conversational
B1 German speakers have no problem understanding the main points of a conversation when clear standard German is used, especially when the topic is something familiar like school or work.
Learning is better together: In our online community, you will find more than 200 German exercises for all levels, free of charge – as well as other people to practise with.
Is the Goethe Institut worth it? ›I highly recommend this to everyone who wants to learn German and experience the culture deeply combined with a lot of fun. Even for people who are only looking to learn the language without the cultural part, Goethe is still the best choice due to the quality of the courses and the great learning atmosphere.
How can I learn German by myself? ›- Set yourself a goal. ...
- Start off on the right foot. ...
- Turn learning German into a habit. ...
- Practise speaking German with online tutoring. ...
- Learn new vocab in meaningful chunks. ...
- Make studying German rewarding. ...
- Dive into German culture with TV.
The app guides you to learn in a natural way through exposure, which works well for English native speakers who are studying German because the two languages are quite closely related. Duolingo German is also good for those who like to jump in at the deep end.
Where can I learn German A1 for free? ›
Learn German free online
With Deutsche Welle's mobile courses, you can learn German easily and free of charge. Whether you are a beginner or highly proficient, this is where you will find German courses. You can also learn German with the news or music - from level A1 to C1.
- Create a study plan and set goals. ...
- Study regularly to improve your German. ...
- Remove all possible disruptive factors while learning. ...
- Always learn German words with their correct article. ...
- Create some helpful study tools. ...
- Invent some simple memory hooks and outwit your brain.
150 hours of lessons. B1: 300 hours of lessons. B2: 240 hours of lessons. C1: 240 hours of lessons.
Is udemy German course worth it? ›There are over 193 best German language courses on udemy with user ratings 4.5/5 and above. Udemy German language courses are created by top-rated German instructors and are beneficial for those who want to learn German for various purposes.
Is Goethe online course worth it? ›The course content is very good, no doubt in that. I joined the course with the knowledge that the time of the online sessions would be mutually decided among the participants. Now anyone joining this course obviously, have a schedule on weekdays and is only free on weekends.
How do you pay for Goethe Institut? ›Please use a credit/debit card which is enabled for international transactions. The Goethe-Institut cannot refund any processing fee and/or exchange rate differences which might be deducted by the credit/debit card provider during the transaction.
Can I learn German in 3 months? ›You need more than 3 months to be fluent. But even with such a short time, if you adjust your strategy, you can actually learn German and get really close to being fluent.
Can I learn German in 1 month? ›German is a difficult language! Within a month, you should be able to get a hang of most of the basics, such as haben and sein and using the Perfekt tense, enough to where you'll be able to navigate your daily life with relative ease.
Can I pass A1 German with Duolingo? ›Can we learn enough German language in Duolingo to clear A1 and A2? Yes you can. Duolingo is a great tool for vocabs and basics learning, if you use Duolingo web version you can read grammar reviews written by contributors and there is a discussion space for each exercise.
Which app is best for learning German? ›- Anki. This app is designed to help you master new vocabulary through flashcards that you can work with anytime on your smart phone. ...
- Memrise. ...
- WordPic. ...
- Babbel. ...
- DeutschAkademie. ...
- MindSnack's Learn German. ...
- Busuu. ...
- Duolingo.
What is B2 level German? ›
The Goethe-Zertifikat B2 is a German exam for young people and adults. It certifies that candidates have acquired advanced language skills and corresponds to the fourth level (B2) of the six-level scale of competence laid down in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).