byfredo21
April 9, 2018
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Do you want to learn German but feel overwhelmed with the number of learning resources available out there? Fear not, help is on the way! It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, if you want to learn for free or are willing to pay. We’ve put together 10 of the best websites to help you learn or improve on your German.
Deutsch Akademie claims to be the “most comprehensive” free resource for learning German. Here are a few of its best features.
Via Deutsch Akademie
Highlights: You don’t need an account with Deutsch Akademie to be able to access all of the material on the website. Even as a visitor you are free to use more than 20,000 grammar and vocabulary exercises as well as more than 800 hours of interactive online resources. The courses are structured according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages, so this resource is great as a starting point for learning German, or as a supplement to a current course you are taking.
Level: Beginner to Advanced
LEARN GERMAN WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS NOW!
SIGN UP NOW TO GET THESE FOR FREE!
- 100 Days of German Words and Expressions E-book
- 300 Useful German Adjectives
Price: Free
2. Babbel
Obviously, Babbel is one of the big names when it comes to language learning. Their courses may come at a cost, but they have been tried, tested and proven effective.
Via Babbel
Highlights: Babbel’s German course draws into two core categories – pronunciation and vocabulary. A fancy feature is the speech recognition tool that is integrated with your browser. Take note that you need a microphone and the most recent version of Flash for this to work. Babbel’s strategy for helping you improve your vocabulary is “optimal intervals” or exercising the words and rules that you struggle with the most. Another cool feature is the Babbel mobile app. This tracks and synchronizes your progress so you can take your learning with you.
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Price: First lesson free, next lessons only available through paid subscription
3. BBC
Trust the world’s oldest broadcasting company to inject an entertaining twist into learning one of the world’s oldest languages. From stand-up comedians to F1 drivers, the BBC’s selection of resources is a fun take on improving your German.
Via BBC
Highlights: Not quite sure if your German is beginner, intermediate, advanced or somewhere in between? The BBC has a test that can help you determine your current fluency. Feeling adventurous? Challenge your skill-set by watching/listening to actual German news on TV and radio. You can also watch video tutorials and learn handy holiday phrases on this website for no price at all.
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Price: Free
4. ActiLingua
ActiLingua is a frontrunner in German language education. Established in 1988, ActiLingua has three schools located in Vienna, all of which have great cultural and leisure programmes. The school-owned residences hosts both students and families. To supplement this learning, ActiLingua’s website is home to some excellent resources for learning German.
Via ActiLingua
Highlights: There are 10 lessons available for beginners and 24 lessons (concentrating on grammar) for advanced learners. If you’re not quite sure what level you are, you can get an evaluation through ActiLingua’s Test Your German feature. This can help you match your level of fluency with the available courses.
Level: Beginner and Advanced
Price: Free, register here to access their Free Member Area
Deutsch Online draws on four core language competencies: reading, listening, speaking and writing. This course offers person-centered learning methods to improve your German.
Via Deutsch Online
Highlights: The course begins with the Goethe-Institut’s standard placement test. This will determine your level and course recommendation. Each course is divided into chapters that touch on situational conversations, vocabulary and grammar. Different learning methods are available for your learning styles and needs. Online classes with personal tutors are then scheduled for you to be able to develop your speaking and communication skills. Upon completion, you will be awarded a certificate by Goethe-Institut.
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Price: €675 per level, you can register or book a consultation on their website
Other than being an international broadcasting agency, Deutsch Welle, or DW, is also an advocate of language learning. The German Courses section of their website allows you to learn the language at your own pace.
Via Deutsch Welle
Highlights: E-learning is the name of the game with DW. Videos, podcasts and audio clips are available on their website for both students and teachers of German. The levels are categorized according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Price: Free
DUO is your easy-access go-to web portal for learning German for various purposes.
Highlights: If you are preparing for a trip to Germany, DUO will equip you with the skills you need to communicate comfortably in German. People have found the tutorial side of the course extremely useful when it comes to expressing themselves more confidently. The course may come at a cost, but you can’t put a price tag on progress.
Level: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Business
Price: Courses start at €109
8. Duo Lingo
Duo Lingo is a household name when it comes to language learning. Its German lessons only take 5 minutes to complete but are presented in a fun, game-simulation session. Duo Lingo also claims that its courses are scientifically proven to work!
Via Duo Lingo
Highlights: Duo Lingo is great because it adapts to your specific learning needs and pace. The vocabulary exercise are tailored to help you learn as much as you can, as fast as you can. To top it off, you are given your score as soon as you complete the exercise – allowing you to get immediate feedback and monitor your progress. This progress can then be synchronized with your Duo Lingo app, so that you can even learn German on-the-go.
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Price: Free
9. GermanPod101
GermanPod101 takes pride in providing culturally relevant material for learning German. Not only do you get to learn about everyday Germany, you also get to do it through out-of-the-box, fun-filled lessons.
Via GermanPod101
Highlights: GermanPod101 updates its library every week, so there’s always something new to look forward to. To date, over 750 million lessons have been delivered. Your course progress on the website can also be synchronized on a mobile app.
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Price: Free to an extent. Basic, Premium and Premium+ subscriptions available on their website
10. Grimm Grammar
Last but definitely not the least (and quite possibly the most amusing) resource for learning German is Grimm Grammar. True to its name, this website is an “irreverent revival and shameless exploitation of 19th-century Grimm Fairy Tales for honorable pedagogical purposes”. In other words, 36 19th-century characters from the classic story book have time-travelled to help you learn German!
Via Grimm Grammar
Highlights: The parts of speech are individually and humorously introduced in sectional overviews, then integrated into more complex topics as you progress. Grimm Grammar is an excellent resource for beginner learners, on its own or to complement an existing course.
Level: Beginner
Price: Free
Websites are a fantastic resource for learning German, as long as you are willing to put time and effort into doing so. From here the internet is your oyster!
What websites have you found most helpful when it comes to learning German? Don’t forget to let us know in the comment box below!
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About the author
fredo21
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Thank you for compiling this list of top sites to learn German! Unfortunately BBC's site for German begs to install Flash, which they called amusingly World-wise Flash! It is a security threat, and is sad that BBC has shelved wonderful content into no longer maintained Archive.
The last one (& not the least) is very interesting, and hats off to the author for such a brilliant idea.
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FAQs
DMW 10 Best Websites to Learn German? ›
Language students who practice a method of complete immersion, with eight hours of practice per day, could learn German to a high level in a matter of months. Those who dedicate at least one hour per day to language learning can achieve an intermediate level within two years.
Which is best site to learn German? ›- Preply: Best overall.
- Memrise: Best for beginners.
- italki: Best for advanced speakers.
- Duolingo: Best to learn for free.
- GermanPod101: Best for podcasts.
- Busuu: Best for short lessons.
- Babbel: Best to learn writing.
- Rocket Languages: Best for self-study pronunciation.
Language students who practice a method of complete immersion, with eight hours of practice per day, could learn German to a high level in a matter of months. Those who dedicate at least one hour per day to language learning can achieve an intermediate level within two years.
Can you learn German in 10 months? ›It will take around 350 hours of study to reach an intermediate level of German. If you practice your German for 15 hours a week, you'll be able to reach it within six months.
What is the smartest way to learn German? ›- 1) Take a German language course. ...
- 2) Download a German language learning app. ...
- 3) Listen to German podcasts. ...
- 4) Watch German movies and tv. ...
- 5) Take German Classes Online. ...
- 6) Speak German with Native speakers. ...
- 7) Experience German culture by traveling.
- Know Your Goal - And Plan How to Get There. ...
- Study Daily. ...
- Prioritize Key Words. ...
- Start Talking from the Beginning. ...
- Study Vocabulary Daily. ...
- Use Free Apps and Tools. ...
- Develop Activities That Target Your Learning Styles and Schedules. ...
- Treat Mistakes Like Free Lessons.
The biggest difference between Babbel and Duolingo is the approach to language learning. Babbel is a better option if you want traditional language instructions through modules and lessons. By contrast, Duolingo works great if you need a playful, gamified experience.
What level of German is fluent? ›The German language has 6 CEFR levels – starting with A1 (absolute beginner), and ending with C2 (completely fluent).
How difficult is C1 German? ›So how hard is the C1 exam? There's no doubt that the C1 exam is difficult, but it's certainly not impossible. I'm someone who still makes grammar mistakes more frequently than I'd like, sometimes uses the wrong words and can't always find the right vocabulary, but, thanks to some good preparation, I managed to pass.
What is a C1 level German? ›C1 level German is considered advanced and shows the holder has full control of German grammar and vocabulary. The only higher CEFR level is C2, which even native German speakers can struggle to reach.
How difficult is B2 German? ›
How hard is B2 level German? The German language is complex yet highly systematic. For a systematic language, you need a systematic course structure though. If the course material you are using has a thought-out structure, then it shouldn't be difficult.
How many hours does it take to be fluent in German? ›According to the U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI), you'll need about 750 hours of study to become fluent in German. This means that if you study 12-15 hours a week, you'll be able to speak like a pro in just a year!
What is B2 level German? ›B2 is the fourth of six language levels defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It corresponds to the "advanced intermediate" language level and is usually achieved by people learning German as a foreign language.
What is the hardest part of learning German? ›Noun gender and cases. For many people that begin learning German, declension is arguably the hardest bit of the language to master and one of the most important differences between speaking some German and speaking German well.
What is the hardest language to learn? ›Across multiple sources, Mandarin Chinese is the number one language listed as the most challenging to learn. The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center puts Mandarin in Category IV, which is the list of the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers.
How can I become fluent in German at home? ›- Get a German Dictionary.
- Buy a German Textbook.
- Listen to German Music.
- Read German Children's Books.
- Read German Translations of English books.
- Get a German Sprachpartner (language partner)
- Find a Stammtisch (regular meeting of German speakers)
In short, the FSI estimated that learning German will take approximately 30 weeks (750 hours) for English speakers. This may seem like a lot of time, but it's a fraction compared to languages like Chinese, Japanese and Arabic, which took students up to 88 weeks to learn.
How long did it take for you to learn German fluently? ›It shouldn't take long to become fluent in German. Actually, after 6-8 months of studying in intense courses (about twenty hours every week) you will be able to gain proficiency of your German language to navigate your daily life. It is possible to gain professional proficiency within a mere year!
What is the shortest time to learn German? ›Assess your current level & test your German online! | Intensive course (20 lessons/week) | |
---|---|---|
A1 | beginner | 8 weeks |
A2 | elementary | 8 weeks |
B1 | intermediate | 8 weeks |
B2 | upper intermediate | 10 weeks* |
Can you become fluent with Babbel? You will most likely not become fluent with Babbel. It's a solid language app and can give you a strong foundation in your target language, but to achieve fluency, you'll need to use other resources.
How much does Babbel cost a month? ›
Babbel offers several different subscription options to choose from ranging from around $7 to $14 per month, depending on the length of access you want (3-months, 6-months, etc).
Should I pay for Babbel? ›With Babbel, you can learn more languages for a much smaller price than if you subscribed to learn each language individually. This gives you more freedom to learn what you like and broaden your speaking skills. This is also a great option if you know other languages but need to polish up on your speaking skills.
Do most Germans speak high or low German? ›Standard German is based on High German. Originally, the spread of High German as a “standard” form of the language was due to the widespread influence of the Luther Bible, Martin Luther's 16th-century translation of the Bible into his native Saxon dialect.
How many words should I know to be fluent in German? ›In order to feel comfortable speaking German, you really only need to learn about 3,000 words. In contrast, being fluent in German is defined as understanding 10,000+ words.
Can you live in Germany without speaking German? ›Can you live in Germany without knowing German? It is just about possible to live in Germany without knowing much German. But in order to find employment and to fully integrate into society, you will need to be able to speak and read German to a good standard, especially if you live outside the major cities.
Can I reach C1 German in 2 years? ›You need approximately 4–6 months depending on your interest to complete upto B1 level, C1 will take another 6 months to complete if you do it at a stretch. So if you take everything into count, it would take about 1 year to get C1 level of proficiency in German language. The... Can I learn German in 1 year?
What level of German is required to study in Germany? ›Depending on the German federal state, level B1 or B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required.
Can you learn C1 German in 3 months? ›For those new to languages, it may sound like a daunting task to become fluent in any language in 3 months, let alone such a complicated language as German. Nonetheless, Adriana can tell you from experience that it's definitely possible!
Is C1 level bilingual? ›A C1 certificate in English, which is close to bilingual level, allows candidates not only to greatly improve their job potential, but also to access bibliography, technical material and professional connections only available to the most advanced graduates.
Can I learn C1 German on my own? ›Having learned 3 languages to fluency myself through self study, I know the answer is YES. Provided that you are a passionate language learner and also live at least 2 years in a German speaking country then C1 Level is absolutely realistic to achieve.
What level is duolingo German? ›
Students at the A-B1 levels in the CEFR language learning system.
Can you reach B2 German in 1 year? ›I have taught many students throughout the years. Even though most of them learn relatively fast and achieve B1/B2 level in about 12 months, just a few of them get to B2 level in 4-8 months.
How long to go from B2 to C2 in German? ›So for each level according to them it takes 20 weeks, 8 hours oer week if I am not wrong, so I think it will take a little more than 6 months for 2 levels (B2. 2, C1) if you decide to put in more number of hours per week. Then you can finish C2 in another 4–5 months. Just a rough estimate!
How many words does a B2 German speaker know? ›However, if you wish to take German B2 test, you should know around 4000 German words. To reach B2 in German, first of all you need a German language app, functional grammar which you while conversations and lay some strict daily goals.
How fast can you learn German if you know English? ›For this reason, English speakers will learn German much faster than French. In fact, it takes a native English speaker an average of 30 weeks (750 hours) to become fluent in German.
How long is the average German word? ›German words in the legal text contain an average of 6.753 letters, compared to 6.380 letters in the blog article.
Can I learn German B2 in 6 months? ›The difficulty grew over time and the new vocabulary was not always easy to learn. But slowly I learned to recognize the context and to guess the meaning of unknown words. Now this is no longer a problem for me and I have made it from A1 to B2 in just six months. I learned and worked a lot for that.
Can I reach B2 German in 3 months? ›4 hours a day which amounts to 8 hours a week and finished A2 in 4 months. Later, continued B1 in a similar fashion for 2.5 months. B2 also takes around 3 months if you spend around 8 hours a week.
Is B2 enough for German universities? ›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.
How long does it take to go from B1 to B2? ›Level of English (CEFR) | Number of hours of instruction |
---|---|
A1 to A2 | 150 hours |
A2 to B1 | 300 hours |
B1 to B2 | 200 hours |
B2 to C1 | 200 hours |
Which German accent is the hardest to understand? ›
In particular, Swiss German, which is spoken in northern Switzerland and extreme Southwest Germany, can be phenomenally difficult to understand. Many say it's akin to an American listening to an extreme Scottish accent; it can almost sound like another language entirely.
What is harder Spanish or German? ›Overall, Spanish might be easier than German at the beginning stages, but the two tend to even out in difficulty once learners get to the more advanced stages. German has more complicated grammar rules that need to be mastered early on, but once learners get familiar with them, they find that they're pretty consistent.
Which countries learn German the most? ›- Germany – more than 80 million speakers.
- Austria – 8 million speakers.
- Switzerland – 4.6 million speakers.
- Belgium – 75.000 speakers.
- Luxembourg – 390.000 speakers.
- Liechtenstein – 35,000 speakers.
- Afrikaans. Like English, Afrikaans is in the West Germanic language family, once thought of as a Dutch dialect. ...
- French. ...
- Spanish. ...
- Dutch. ...
- Norwegian. ...
- Portuguese. ...
- Swedish. ...
- Italian.
According to a UNESCO survey, Bengali has been classified as the sweetest language in the world. As a language, Bengali is widely spoken all over India, including Assam and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The sweetest language in the world is also recognized in the Constitution of India.
Is 1 year enough to learn German? ›It is estimated that a total of 30 weeks or 750 classroom hours are necessary to learn German. But you could complete those 750 hours in a matter of months or over the course of many years.
What is the fastest way to learn German language? ›If you want to find the best way to learn German fast, immersion is the way to go. The most important thing that immersion provides is a constant stream of your target language. You will hear it all the time and read it everywhere.
What is the best way to learn German at home? ›- Work your way through a few lessons. When you're first starting to learn German, it's a good idea to have a guide, and there are lots of free options. ...
- Listen to German radio and podcasts. ...
- Watch German TV shows. ...
- Meet German speakers. ...
- Plan a virtual trip to Germany.
Best Overall App to Learn German | Babbel |
---|---|
Best Beginner German App | Mondly |
Best German App with Audio Lessons | Pimsleur |
Best App for German Immersion Online | LingoPie |
Best App to Learn German Vocabulary | Drops |
The world's most popular way to learn German online
Learn German in just 5 minutes a day with our game-like lessons. Whether you're a beginner starting with the basics or looking to practice your reading, writing, and speaking, Duolingo is scientifically proven to work.
Is Rosetta Stone actually good? ›
Is Rosetta Stone really worth it? Rosetta Stone is worth it if you're a beginner and want to immerse yourself in a new language. Rosetta Stone teaches you vocabulary using audio and images and it helps you actively practice the language. It's not really a good option for more intermediate or advanced learners though.
What level of German is considered fluent? ›The German language has 6 CEFR levels – starting with A1 (absolute beginner), and ending with C2 (completely fluent).
How can I learn German self taught? ›- 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.
Assess your current level & test your German online! | Intensive course (20 lessons/week) | |
---|---|---|
A1 | beginner | 8 weeks |
A2 | elementary | 8 weeks |
B1 | intermediate | 8 weeks |
B2 | upper intermediate | 10 weeks* |
You will most likely not become fluent with Babbel. It's a solid language app and can give you a strong foundation in your target language, but to achieve fluency, you'll need to use other resources. While it won't help you become fluent, Babbel can help you improve your language skills.
How many months does it take to learn German? ›We estimate that to achieve an intermediate level in German, you'll need around 350 hours of study. This means that, if you dedicate around 15 hours a week to practicing your German, you'll be able to reach this level in just six months!
What level of German will Duolingo teach? ›At Duolingo, we're developing our courses to get you to a level called B2, at which you can get a job in the language you're studying. Reaching that kind of proficiency requires dedication, varied practice opportunities, and a lot of time.
What level of German is Duolingo? ›At the end of the Duolingo German tree, you will have learned approximately 2000 words, putting you somewhere around A2-B1 for listening and reading skills, using the CEFR levels (not quite intermediate).
How many hours of Duolingo to learn German? ›Jokes aside, Duolingo is brilliant for keeping you motivated. Learning German takes time. It's not something you're going to pick up overnight. According to the US Foreign Service Institute, it takes roughly 900 “class hours” to reach “Professional Working Proficiency” in German.
Which is better Rosetta Stone or Duolingo? ›Duolingo vs Rosetta Stone, which is better for travel? If you are going to be travelling and want to learn a language at a beginner to intermediate level, we believe Rosetta Stone is a better option than Duolingo. Their lessons are more comprehensive and you will learn more quickly.
How long to finish Rosetta Stone German? ›
How much time will it take to learn a new language with Rosetta Stone? The program is self-paced, and each learner is different. However, you can expect that it will take approximately 40-50 hours to complete the content in each level of the program.
How does Babbel compare to Rosetta Stone? ›Babbel lessons tend to cover more material at a faster pace compared to Rosetta Stone. On the other hand, Rosetta Stone takes time drilling you on the same words and phrases, meaning lessons move more slowly. Also, this makes Rosetta Stone's lessons a bit more monotonous and repetitive than Babbel's lessons.