Learning German whilst living in Germany must be easy. Well, no. Not necessarily. Many foreigners working in Germany are here because of their native language; they speak it at home, at work and with friends, sometimes going days without speaking German at all. As with any skill, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. Learning a new language can be difficult and frustrating at the best of times, doing that alongside a new job abroad, a new lifestyle and culture shock can be a struggle. I’ve had a fair few friends who survived Germany without any German. It can be done, but you’ll need some very understanding German-speaking friends or paid translators to help you out occasionally.

Whilst language skills are not everyone’s strength I think anyone can learn the basics or at least give it a good try. If living abroad isn’t a good time to learn a new language, when is? If you are considering learning German, at home or abroad there is a range of options open to you, a lot of of which have been tested out by The German Way team personally. Before I introduce you to some more it’s worth having a look at just how language skills are assessed and what you can expect.

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages are the guidelines by which all learning, teaching and assessing of European languages are determined. The aim is to provide clarity and testable standard levels of language proficiency. When you want to start a course to learn German as a foreign language (unless you are signing up for a total beginners class) the school or teacher will most likely want you to complete a test to see what the appropriate class is for you.

The framework is divided up into six levels, each of the levels describes what a learner should be able to understand and communicate by reading, listening, speaking and writing –

A1&A2 Beginner & Elementary

B1&B2 Intermediate & Upper intermediate

C1&C2 Advanced & Proficiency

To complicate matters further each of these levels is usually split up into two courses A1.1 & A1.2, A2.1 & A2.2 and so on. If you took a course for every one of the levels you can expect to complete twelve courses in total.

Traditional learning

Intensive daily classes will cover one course, for example A1.1, over five weeks. These classes are intense, three hours of class per day, with homework and extra study on top, most people only work (their job) part time during intensive classes, if at all.

Familiar to all learners of German – Photo Alie

In theory A1-C2 could be completed in sixty weeks if you worked at this pace, in practice most schools and teachers adhere to the normal school calendar year so even if you took one class directly after the next it would take longer.

Non-intensive classes, once or twice a week, usually three hours at a time. Better for people working full time, spend their spare time immersed in German or want to spend longer letting the information sink in.

One on one. Personalised teaching at your personal speed. The only downside tends to be the cost.

Online learning is becoming ever more popular and user friendly now, the prices are also very competitive compared to traditional classes. You can join a class or be taught one on one and these classes are the ultimate in flexibility, allowing you to work at the best time for you.

If you move to Germany for a job, language lessons can be a usefulLearning perk added to your relocation package. Some companies also extend these benefits to your family too. For more about kids learning German you’ll find plenty of information here and here.

Non-traditional learning

Whilst traditional ways of learning can be tough on your pocket you’ll be happy to know that there are some cheaper and even free ways to hone your skills. Being immersed in the language, I find, gives my brain time to adapt and put together all the lose ends that I have floating around. It also helps to hear German being spoken by native speakers, by differing accents and using slang and colloquialisms which you don’t get in regular classroom learning.

Jane had a great experience with a tandem partner, I haven’t had the same luck but I ended up joining a Deutscher Stammtisch (German regulars table) for foreigners that really helped build my confidence. If you’re in Erlangen, look them up!

My first favourite German TV show ‘Rent, buy, Live’ Photo RTLplus.de

Watching German TV, yes watching TV can count as learning. Personally I only recommend watching shows that haven’t been dubbed from another language because I tend to get confused when lips are moving and forming different words than I’m hearing. Although, cartoons are a great way around this. If reality TV is your thing then try ‘Das Perfekte Dinner’, ‘Germany’s next top model’ or my personal favourite ‘Mieten Kaufen Wohnen’. If not, try ‘Deutschland ’83, Türkisch für Anfänger or Tatort. Watching TV isn’t merely to hear the words, it helps to learn accents, mannerisms and a glimpse into the German sense of history and humour.

Join a club or do a course. I’ve sung in choirs, played in orchestras, done first aid, pilates, yoga, painting and sewing. All interests that I already had that I can still do, even with the minimal German I arrived with. The language I am learning here is very specific to my interests, not something that I had ever learned in class, I’m also surrounded by mostly native speakers, learning German that will help me blend in and the social aspect is also a plus, although friendship is a whole other blog in itself.

Whatever your level of German there is always a word or phrase that pops up that you will be unfamiliar with, the learning experience is a lifelong one. Take comfort that you are not the only one continually working, Mark Twain wrote “Never knew before what eternity was made for. It is to give some of us a chance to learn German” so you are in good company.

– Alie