Knowledge of foreign languages ​​has always been an important condition for employment in a reputable company. Today, knowing at least one foreign language is common even for the average citizen. But if with the usual English everything is much simpler, then the German language is more difficult due to the peculiarities of grammar and pronunciation. But for those who decide to master its basics, we will give a few useful tips, capable of facilitating the difficult path of mastering the “granite of science”.

Sprechen Sie Deutch?

Before you start studying, you should decide on your goal. If you need a language in order to be able to communicate minimally while traveling, ask for help, order food in a restaurant or make purchases in an online store, then a basic set of knowledge will be enough.

But if you need German in the professional sphere, then in this case you will have to work hard, learning not only the basics, but also delving into the skills of business correspondence and special business vocabulary.

If someone tells you that you get everything necessary knowledge You won’t be able to do it on your own, don’t believe it. With effort, anything is possible. The main thing is motivation and a systematic approach, then very soon you will be able to easily understand even a native speaker. And for this, some tips on how to learn German, spending very little time.

1. Buy a dictionary. It will be necessary for both beginners and those whose level of knowledge is already significantly higher. How to work with a dictionary? It’s very easy - every time you see or hear a new word, look it up in the dictionary, write it down in a notebook and repeat it several times a day. In modern technologies, you can use online electronic assistants, one of the best of which is Lingvo. With its help, you will not only be able to see the translation and transcription of words, but also hear their sound, as well as see examples of use in various fields.
2. Grammar book. Grammar is one of the most difficult stages of mastering German language. It will really require good book, in which not only the rules will be given, but also exercises with keys that will help consolidate the learned material. One of the most accessible and successful is Dreyer Schmitt, which has a Russian edition. Some people doubt whether it is worth purchasing a book with keys, because there is always a temptation to look there for the correct answer. But since you start learning German on your own, the keys will become an assistant for checking the correctness of completed tasks.
3. Native speaker. One of the simplest and effective ways learning a language is communication. The ideal option is a German-speaking interlocutor who speaks Russian. In the process of communication, you will not only be able to acquire the necessary vocabulary, the concept of correct pronunciation, grammar, but you will also be able to have an accessible explanation of all incomprehensible nuances.

Courses

They will not interfere with your independent work at all. If, while trying to learn German from scratch, you notice that the work is progressing too slowly and the desire to speak a foreign language is gradually disappearing, go to courses. Sometimes classes with a teacher and in a group contribute to faster memorization.

There may be three options, depending on your financial capabilities.

• Online courses are the most budget-friendly option that will help you gain knowledge by spending a small amount and without leaving your home.
• Professional courses at a language center or university. One of the most popular German language schools, with representation in 96 countries around the world, is Goethe Institut. In addition to the usual basic knowledge, you will be offered specialized modules for many areas of activity: legal, medical, teaching and many others. By the way, the school’s certificates are recognized by all educational institutions and companies in Germany.
• Courses in the country of the language being studied. This is a great opportunity to immediately apply what you have learned. Plunging into the German-speaking environment, you will even involuntarily try to express yourself so that you are understood. It will be difficult at first, but after a few times you will become more confident. In addition, there is no temptation to switch to your native language, because the likelihood that you will come across a Russian-speaking German is not that great.

The most popular language schools in Germany are: IOR in Freiburg, Eurasia Institut in Berlin, F+U International Academy in Heidelberg. Tuition prices range from 815-1500 euros per month (course, accommodation, training materials).

Books and films

To make learning not only useful, but also enjoyable, it is worth supplementing it with materials for recreation. Search the Internet for your favorite movie with German dubbing, or buy an interesting book in German. This way you can kill two birds with one stone - apply the acquired knowledge in practice and get a dose of pleasure from reading or watching another masterpiece of literature and cinema.

And then try to express the essence of what you saw or read in a short essay or oral retelling.

The main rules for successfully learning German are consistency and perseverance. Do not deviate from your goal, and then you will conquer any, even the most difficult peak.

Independent learning of the German language from scratch is not fiction and illusion, but reality. If a person has the desire, a notebook, headphones and at least access to the Internet, everything will be possible. Although here you need something else, the most important thing, without which you won’t be able to fully study the German language on your own. Free time is necessary, and the more you have, the better.

Plan of the education

The first step is to carefully plan your “home” course. That is, make a plan for learning German. It is very easy to do this on your own, since a person will be guided solely by his abilities, prospects and capabilities. Of course, you need to start with the basics. That is, from the alphabet. You need to practice pronunciation of letters and sounds, memorize them, because this is really important. Once this has been mastered, you can begin where everyone starts - the “Getting Acquainted” topic. This is the easiest lesson, since within its framework a person becomes familiar with the construction of simple sentences, for example, these: “Mein Name ist Anton” (translation: “My name is Anton”). And, of course, from this lesson a person begins to accumulate his vocabulary. The number of expressions, verbs, nouns, connectives and everything else is important. After all, the richness of his German speech depends on how wide the student’s vocabulary is. And, of course, the question arises - where to learn a language, with what, what to use? There are a lot of courses, both free and sold for money. In addition, you can buy several books and study from them. There are a lot of ways, everyone can find the one that suits them.

Psychological attitude

After making such an important decision - to start learning a new language - you need to give yourself an attitude. The first thing you need to do is determine for yourself how much time you can devote to studying. You need to start from small things - starting from the number of hours per week and ending with the amount of lessons per month. It's not without reason professional courses are compiled hourly. You should also calculate how many minutes it will take to take a break. It is very important, sometimes you need to be distracted, switch to another type of activity - this way the information is absorbed much better. And besides, interest in the language will never fade away, since a person will always feel rested, fresh and ready to learn new things. Motivation is also important. It is necessary to record your successes, analyze your own achievements in order to see that there really is a result, and strive for perfection. And, of course, you can dream about a trip to Germany or other countries where state language is German. After all, by understanding the indigenous people, you can make your vacation much easier.

Success comes gradually

Many people, starting to study German on their own, ask themselves: how much time does it take to master it perfectly? The answer depends on many things. How often does a person study German, how many hours a week does he devote to it, how hard does he work on topics, and so on. However, we can say with confidence that ideally no one will be able to master it in two months. The German language is as rich as Russian. Just perfecting perfect pronunciation can take a year, since a person learns to speak in the process of mastering new words. But if you spend enough time on this and delve deeply into each topic, then in two years you can master German so that even the indigenous people, upon hearing his speech, will accept him as “one of their own.”

Immersion in the language environment

It will do self-study learning German from scratch is even easier. At least in terms of pronunciation. By the way, those people who communicate with native speakers of this language and listen to songs in German master it much faster. They say that to start speaking, you don’t have to buy textbooks or study courses. You can simply move to Germany and bring your zero German to a good conversational level in six months. However, this option is not realistic for everyone, and not everyone can take the risk.

Audiovisual training

So how can you make learning German on your own easier? The film is the first thing that can help. Video recordings in German with subtitles, due to sound accompaniment and simultaneous visual translation into Russian, will help not only to learn to understand the speech of German residents. A person will also understand how to correctly pronounce and translate a particular word. This will make your independent learning of the German language more interesting and varied. A film is a combination of business and pleasure, since you can watch a new film (or “remember” something you’ve already seen before) and strengthen your skills in a foreign language. In fact, today you can find a lot of different films translated into German. For example, “Pirates of the Caribbean”, or “The Lord of the Rings”. By the way, watching films that you have already seen before is even better, since you already have an idea of ​​how events within the plot will develop, and you can pay more attention to subtitles and German voice acting.

The most difficult topic

Speaking about independent learning of the German language from scratch, a few words should be said about the most difficult topic that exists in the program. If we exclude scientific terminology, then these are verbs and their correct use. The importance of this part of speech cannot be overestimated. After all, in fact, without a verb, not a single complete sentence can be made. But it’s not enough just to know how “to speak”, “to do” and other words are translated. It is necessary to perfectly memorize the table of irregular verbs, learn how to control them, and learn how to decline by cases and persons. It will take a lot of time to master this topic, and therefore you should not leave it without due attention.

Communication

When self-learning German from scratch gives significant results, you can think about starting to communicate with native speakers. Nowadays, it is very easy to make this idea a reality. Fortunately, there are different social media, through which you can meet someone from Germany, and then, after correspondence, switch to video communication. This is a very useful practice, since speaking is the most important stage, which contains independent learning of the German language from scratch. The program, of course, is already very voluminous and consists of dozens of different topics. However, only through communication will you learn to master German, learn to listen to dialects (of which there are a huge number in Germany and German-speaking countries), and understand abbreviations and slang. Of course, at first it will be a little difficult to communicate, but you can always have a translator, phrase book or notes at hand. This will serve as a reference material at first. And then, gradually, the need for hints will disappear by itself. After just a couple of months of intensive communication, the result will be noticeable - a much larger vocabulary, competent speech and correct sentence construction.

Constancy

Finally, there are a few things to consider when starting to learn German on your own from scratch. The main thing in this matter is consistency. Once you start, you shouldn’t give up, forget about lessons, or put it off until “later.” It is necessary to develop the habit of studying the language regularly, at the same time, for the same number of hours. Of course, it is advisable to increase the number of classes, but gradually. Many people, following this principle of self-studying the German language, leave only positive reviews. Of course, little can be achieved without difficulty, but what can be achieved today just like that?

How to learn German on your own: step-by-step instructions

Do you want to learn a language without spending money?

Does the thought of attending classes and doing homework make you sleepy?

You can't decide where to start and what resources to use?

Our answer - learn German on your own! And how exactly - you will find out by reading this article. .

Regardless of why you are learning a language - whether you are attracted to German culture or the language itself, whether you are going to Germany to study, work or travel, you have a unique opportunity to take responsibility for your own success in learning German. By learning a language on your own, you set the “rules of the game”: what to learn, in what sequence, how many hours a day, how many times a week.

You may already have a question: is it possible to learn a language on your own without spending a lot of money?

Our answer: yes, you can!

Become your own personal tutor and teach yourself to speak German! You can find many free sources on the Internet:

• German films, TV series, radio, books and newspapers
• web pages dedicated to learning German
• audio courses
• free apps

The internet is full of these treasures just waiting to be found! As you've probably already noticed, you can create an immersion atmosphere in the German language right at home without spending a penny.

If your first foreign language is English, then it will be a little easier for you to start learning German on your own. As you know, English and German belong to the same language group - Germanic. However, in addition to similarities, these languages ​​have many differences. For example, German grammar is significantly different from English, but has common features from Russian.

Can't wait to get started? Here are 8 steps to start your exciting journey into the German language.

1. Master the alphabet

You should start mastering the German language from the very beginning, namely by learning the alphabet. If you are already familiar with the English alphabet, then we can safely say that half the work is already done. Still, spend enough time practicing your pronunciation. Special attention require letter combinations of vowels and consonants, as well as letters with an umlaut, since depending on whether there are two dots over a, u or o, the grammatical form, and often the meaning of the word, changes.

For example, Apfel is an apple, and Äpfel is apples, schon is narrower, and schön is beautiful.

2. Learn simple words

Already at the very beginning, learn a few simple words and expressions in German, for example, master greetings,

4. Master the word order of a German sentence

The next important step is this. Most likely, your interlocutor will be able to understand what you want to say, even if the word order is incorrect. However, you should not be guided by the principle of “just to say” and hope that you will be understood. Try to be strict with yourself and not give yourself any concessions so that your interlocutor does not fall into a linguistic stupor.

5. Learn short German sentences

Having mastered the word order, you can safely move on to memorizing small phrases in German, which are often used in everyday speech. For example, “What is your name?”, “How are you?”, “What time is it?” etc.

6. Watch films in German

One of the most enjoyable and effective ways to learn a language is by watching movies and TV series. Watch films with Russian dubbing and German subtitles, and after a while you will notice the results. You can also watch your favorite, well-watched and memorized films or TV series with German dubbing, which will certainly give you a lot of impressions and increase your vocabulary. While watching films, feel free to “parrot” and repeat individual words or entire sentences after the characters, which will have a beneficial effect on your pronunciation.

7. Read the news in German

Try it, what if you like it? You can always look up unfamiliar words in the dictionary!

8. Connect with Germans and people learning German and interested in German culture

Even if you're determined to learn German on your own, you can still use a little help! Register on forums and portals dedicated to learning the German language, join

Hello dear readers!

“How to learn German on your own using the Internet?”, and, if possible, for free – is one of the most frequently asked questions. Today I offer you short review Internet resources.

As I already wrote in the article, no matter which path to learn a language you choose, you will have to learn it yourself. Therefore, the success of the event will depend on how much effort and time you are willing to invest in the work.

And on the Internet you can find many tools that will help you with this.

Courses

	"Deutsche Welle" Offers Deutsch Interaktiv courses designed for levels A1, A2, B1 of the Common European Standard. IN free course classes include video and audio materials, slides, texts, exercises and tests. Much attention is paid to vocabulary and grammar. Disadvantage: phonetics is not studied.
	"Online Deutschkurs". You can choose for yourself whether to do exercises on a specific grammar topic, for a specific textbook or for a specific topic at levels from A1 to C1. Very comfortably. In the forum, ask a question directly to the teacher. There is no Russian translation.
	"BBC Languages" For those whose first foreign language is English. A complete course with exercises.
	"Polyglot" by Dmitry Petrov Of the Russian ones, this is the most famous course, consisting of 16 video lessons. Suitable for those who do not pretend to have deep knowledge and just want to get acquainted with the German language.
	"Lingust" Linguistic portal. The German language course is based on textbook Popov’s “German Language for Everyone” is built according to the traditional scheme familiar to us. The program is divided into lessons by topic, which contain audio files and exercises. As they say, take it and learn.

Interactive trainings

	"Busuu". Virtual community for learning foreign languages. The exercises are varied and well designed. Lots of vocabulary: words, phrases, key phrases. Lessons are divided into conversational topics. It is possible to communicate online with native speakers and other students, and find new friends.
	"Duolingo" Platform for learning foreign languages, works as a website and as mobile app. The service's methodology is based on mastering certain sets of vocabulary and translating thematic materials, plus here you can master the basics of pronunciation.
	"Slow German Podcast" The podcast was created by German journalist Annick Rubens. She explains many scientific and life aspects in more than 50 episodes. She has a pleasant voice, she speaks slowly and clearly, so students from level A1 can listen to the recordings.
	"Grüße aus Deutschland" Project of the Goethe-Institut. Designed for beginners. The texts are read quite slowly. The project covers a total of 60 episodes on always relevant topics such as interviews, dialogues, stories and songs. Each episode lasts from 8 to 11 minutes. For control, there are working pages that can be downloaded.
	"Deutsch XXL" Deutsche Welle program. News from international politics, culture and economics. New topics appear on Tuesdays and Fridays. The texts are not too long, 200-300 words, ideal for one lesson. Text level B2/C1.
	"Die langsam gesprochenen Nachrichten" Deutsche Welle program. News that is read especially slowly. Every day you can listen to the 11 o'clock news from Deutsche Welle radio. The news manuscript and word list can be downloaded or printed.

you tube channels

	German from Germany. Practice your pronunciation with Yulia. She also explains some grammar rules well.
	Easy German Channel in German. Short interviews and films on everyday topics will help train native speakers' understanding. With their help, you can speed up your speech rate, trying to speak in unison with the speaker.
	Teddylinqua Channel in German for children and adults. Cute films will help train pronunciation, understand native speakers and serve as an illustration of many grammar rules. I recommend it to beginners!
	Deutsch mit Marija Videos in Russian and German (most). Good explanation of grammar and practical advice on preparation for exams for Goethe Institute certificates of all levels.

With this I say goodbye to you. Good luck in learning German!!!

German can be called the “first second foreign language” in Europe. Despite the apparent complexity, most often for studying the second after in English choose him. What caused this popularity and why children should start learning German right now, experts told Mel.

Why learn a second foreign language

Today, knowledge of English is no longer perceived as something special - most employers consider it a basic qualification. Another foreign language gives an additional advantage when hiring, allowing you to build a successful career in an international company. According to Markus Ozegovich, general director Volkswagen Group Rus, German is the key to a successful professional career.

"I worked a lot in different countries, and this is what caught my eye. Language, in my opinion, reflects the culture of a country. Culture, in turn, serves as a reflection of certain advantages inherent in this country. I want to say that such qualities of Germans as reliability of planning, accuracy and punctuality can be better understood through the German language. It sounds old-fashioned and conservative, but in business circles these qualities are incredibly important and lead to success. Learning German helps young people to join them,” says Ozegovich.

Polyglots have areas of the brain associated with problem solving and planning that are significantly more active than those who speak only one language. Research by psychologist Boaz Keysar from the University of Chicago has shown that such a person can make decisions faster and more rationally. And people who speak two or more languages ​​are less susceptible to diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's syndrome.

Why choose German

We are accustomed to consider German the language of philosophy, music and literature. But it is also the language of innovation and technological progress, new discoveries in medicine, design and architecture of urban spaces of the future. Learning the German language gives a child an excellent opportunity to gain access to this knowledge and in the future to realize themselves in any of the areas in which they are already making progress today. In addition, in Germany you can get a European level education for free - to do this you just need to pass an exam proving your level of German language proficiency is sufficient for studying.

Every fourth European speaks German. In Russia, one of the priority areas in economic development is cooperation with European partners. You can communicate with them in English, but communicating in their native language (if they are Germans) allows you to quickly create a trusting atmosphere at work.

German is most suitable for learning together with English because they belong to the same language group. The similarity of language structures facilitates the learning process.

How to properly combine learning two foreign languages

You can learn several languages ​​at the same time, as children in bilingual families do - this does not affect the quality of language learning. But it is much more effective to learn languages ​​using different methods: for example, English - through the alphabet, reading and writing, and German - through game form without alphabetization. This approach will save the child from confusion and unnecessary stress. In the future, when the basic structures of the first foreign language have been mastered, you can begin to thoroughly study the second, the motivation for which has already been created.

Based on existing knowledge of the first foreign language, it is much easier for the child to assimilate the material of the second. He can analyze and compare, look for similarities and differences in grammatical structures.

At what level can you learn German as a second foreign language at school?

What success will a child achieve by studying German second foreign, depends entirely on who teaches the language and how. All components of the educational process and the contribution of all participants to it are important. The teacher’s task is to show the significance and beauty of German and to interest the child. Interest in the subject directly depends on the personal and professional qualities of the teacher, and this point cannot be ignored.

A foreign language is a living substance. Times change, the language itself changes. And the level of mastering a second foreign language depends on the combination of all factors - the personality of the teacher, teaching methods and the interest of the child himself. Experience shows that you can learn a second foreign language even better than the first.

Where is the best place to learn a second foreign language?

The same principle applies here as with any other school or additional subject. If your child easily learns the material, is sociable, is not afraid to be the center of attention, and can work in a team, then language courses together with other children are suitable for him. Sometimes team spirit and a successful situation are very helpful in learning a language. If a child is withdrawn and embarrassed to communicate with others, then it will be more comfortable for him to learn the language individually. With a person whom he can and is not afraid to trust. In this case, the personality of the tutor and his competence play a primary role. He must be partly a psychologist and be able to find contact with the child.

How to learn German on your own

The success of independent learning depends on the child’s motivation. The main thing is to involve him in a language situation and immerse him in the language environment. Authentic films, books, cartoons, songs and poems can come to the rescue. The publication Schrumdirum will be of interest to children, Vitamin.de is suitable for teenagers. A more universal option can be considered Deutsch perfect.

There are also useful online sources where you can find assignments different levels, starting from A1. Thus, on Deutsch-online, in the “Grammar” section, rules are collected, without which you will not get far in learning a language. There is also a “Vocabulary” - a minimum of German words necessary for communication, sorted by topics “Entering Germany”, “Transport”, “Money” and so on. On that website great selection audio and video materials: TV series, cartoons and films, fairy tales, works of Goethe. You can download materials for learning German, master pronunciation and listening comprehension. Get to know slang words and unusual phrases that cannot be found in a standard German dictionary.

Where to start

The more authentic texts a child surrounds, the better. At a very young age, learning should occur through play, unobtrusively. These could be cartoons that the child saw in Russian and knows their content, but now watches in a foreign language.

If children and teenagers begin to become interested in some musical group, film or hero directly related to Germany, there is no better motivation for learning the language. If your children love modern music, play them this selection. Surely they will reach for German, if only to sing along with the popular rapper CRO.