German Basics: Resources For Language Learners
Looking for more resources to spice up your German studies? Everything we’ve ever written about German, all in one place.
Whatever your goal—career, personal growth, travel, or whatever else—we'll help you reach fluency. Find out more about how Babbel teaches you quickly and effectively.
Boasting over 150 million speakers globally and a thriving economy with a global reach, German is only becoming more crucial with each passing day. Whether you're starting from scratch, have studied the language before, or are gearing up for a career change, Babbel provides online courses tailored for learning German.
Want to try it before committing? Babbel offers the first lesson in each level for free, so you can check out Babbel’s approach to teaching German.
Germany is a large, varied country, and there are countless reasons to visit. If you’ve only ever considered a trip to Berlin, you’re missing out on seeing the beauty of the Bavarian Alps or the history of medieval cities like Heidelberg. Speaking German is especially useful in those more out-of-the way places, where fewer people might know English.
You’re not confined to one country with the language, either. German is spoken in Switzerland, Austria, parts of Belgium, and Liechtenstein. And at all of these places, having German language skills will help you in interactions like ordering food, purchasing transportation tickets, and shopping. While it’s gotten easier to make a trip knowing only English, if you do that you’ll be missing out on the chance to understand what’s going on around you, connect with new people, and understand a little more about the world.
German ranks among the most significant languages in the European Union and is crucial for global business. As the largest economy in Europe, Germany leads various industries, making German proficiency a valuable asset for career advancement. It frequently appears on lists of essential languages for enhancing professional opportunities, making it a strategic choice for anyone looking to improve their resume.
In a competitive job market, being bilingual or multilingual is increasingly essential. Knowledge of German distinguishes you from other candidates, demonstrating your adaptability and openness to diverse cultures. By learning German, you not only boost your employability but also position yourself as a valuable contributor in a rapidly changing workforce.
Learning a language is mostly about finding the methods that work for you. That’s why Babbel has ways to personalize your experience, fitting your schedule, your motivations and your learning style. No matter who you are, though, here are a few tips that can help you get a strong start.
Focus on what you need to know. The German language is massive, but nobody has the whole dictionary memorized. Look back on your motivation and learn the most important German phrases for you, whether you’re planning a week-long trip or making a life-long commitment.
Daily Practice. Consistency is crucial. Short, daily sessions of 15 to 30 minutes are more effective than cramming. Remember: Language learning is a marathon, not a sprint.
Practice those long words. German is famous for having some pretty long words, and even simple terms like 555 (fünfhundertfünfundfünfzig) can become a tongue twister. Don’t shy away, though. Break down the long words into their smaller parts, and keep practicing until you feel confident.
Don’t stress — too much — about der, die, das. Every noun in German has a gender, and that affects the grammar of the sentences they’re in. As you learn new vocab, pay attention to this, but don’t let a fear of getting it wrong stop you from speaking. Even a seasoned German speaker slips up once in a while.
Make learning fun! To sustain interest, diversify your learning activities. If you find yourself bored, switch gears—watch a German TV show or explore vocabulary related to your hobbies.
As we’ve already mentioned, you can try a first lesson for free right now. In that lesson alone, you’ll see how Babbel is designed to teach you quickly and efficiently:
Native Speaker Audio. Each word and phrase in every lesson is spoken by a native German speaker, providing authentic pronunciations as well as a look at a few of the different accents in Germany.
AI Speech Recognition. Hearing is one thing, but speaking is another. Babbel offers an AI tool that will evaluate your pronunciation to make sure you can say every new word you learn.
Guided Grammar Help. We don’t just throw you in the deep end when it comes to grammar. Each concept is clearly explained, you’ll understand the “how” and the “why” behind verb conjugations, grammatical gender and more.
Words In Context. Babbel presents new words on their own, then quickly puts them into example sentences, sample conversations and new contexts so you’ll see how they work.
You could just do every lesson on the self-study app, but that would be using only a small part of everything Babbel has to offer. Here are some other ways to learn, all of which are accessible through the app!
Babbel Live Private and Group Classes, where you can learn the language one-on-one or with a small group, guided by one of our expert teachers.
Podcasts including Speaking of Berlin and Babbel Nachrichten.
Grammar Guide, which breaks down tough grammar topics into simple explanations.
Everyday Conversations, a place to practice your simple conversation skills in situations like greeting a neighbor or visiting a bakery.
Babbel Magazine, with hundreds of free articles about language and language learning.
Learning German with Babbel offers a comprehensive approach that can significantly enhance your language skills and open up new career opportunities. With its user-friendly interface, interactive lessons, and tailored content, Babbel makes the learning process both effective and enjoyable.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your existing skills, Babbel’s emphasis on real-life conversations and cultural context ensures that you not only learn the language, but also gain valuable insights into German culture and society. Start learning German today, and unlock a wealth of opportunities for your future.
Test first lesson of every course for freeLooking for more resources to spice up your German studies? Everything we’ve ever written about German, all in one place.
As with most families, there is always an odd one out. There may be a reason why some are called romance languages and others are not.
Whether you’re starting out or have been speaking German for years, one of these podcasts is sure to grab your interest.