Are you planning to learn the German language but don’t know where to start? What is the best German language course?
Why do you need an intensive German course?
If you’re looking for the best intensive German language courses, it’s most likely for one of the following reasons. You could have found a job that requires you to speak German. Perhaps you’ll attend a German university.
You might have fallen in love with a German. Or perhaps you simply want to travel around Germany.
All of these reasons are excellent and will most likely provide you with the motivation you require to learn German. That drive will become your best friend.
But you’ll also need to find a fantastic intensive German course, so we’ve compiled a list of the best. These language courses are, as the name suggests, intense! It’s all German, all the time.
German courses
There are many different types of German courses available, each with its strengths and weaknesses. The best German language course for you will depend on your individual learning needs and preferences, as well as your long-term goals.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the most popular options and highlight their pros and cons. Whether you’re just starting to learn German or have been studying it for a while, there is a course out there that will help you improve your fluency in the language.
What is the best way to learn German?
The best way to learn any language is to immerse yourself in it. Studying from a book or an app alone will not make you fluent; to become a truly fluent speaker, you need to practice outside of the classroom and be surrounded by native speakers.
This might mean paying for a German language course while living abroad, joining a language exchange partner, or even just exchanging a few phrases with the neighbors. No two people learn the same way, and the best way to learn German is to find the method that works best for you.
You might also want to consider the language goals you have in mind before choosing a course. If you are hoping to travel to Germany or Switzerland and want to get by with simple phrases, a short crash course may be all you need.
However, if you want to be able to study at a university in German or work in the German-speaking world, you will need to put in the hours to reach an advanced level. When learning German, you should follow these five basic principles:
- Immerse yourself in the language: surround yourself with German speakers and culture, whether online or in person.
- Be patient and consistent: learning a new language is a long-term commitment that requires consistency.
- Be creative: learning a language can be as varied as you want it to be.
- Be open to mistakes: make lots of them, as every mistake is a chance to learn.
- Be positive: learning a new language can be challenging, so be positive and enjoy the journey.
Language courses for beginners
If you’re just getting started with German, you might want to consider an introductory language course. Most beginner courses will teach the fundamentals of German grammar using a mixture of written materials and audio lessons, followed by a few structured exercises to put your new skills to use.
While the quality of these courses can vary dramatically, a good beginner course can be an invaluable source of basic knowledge and a useful foundation to build on. They can also be a good option if you’re looking for a group language exchange and can’t find one in your area.
Before you sign up for any course, you will want to make sure it is suitable for beginners. Most courses are designed for students with no or very limited knowledge of German.
If you have studied the language before, consider brushing up on your skills before moving on to more advanced courses.
Online German course resources
Online course resources are a great option if you want to study German on your own, or you’re looking for something flexible that you can do at your own pace. Online courses can generally be broken into two categories: self-guided courses and remote tutoring.
Self-guided courses are online collections of resources designed for you to use at your own pace. They may include audio lessons, videos, books, and exercises to help you learn German. Remote tutoring is becoming increasingly popular among language learners, and many online tutoring platforms are popping up.
Remote tutoring works on a subscription basis and can be a good option if you don’t have time to travel to a language course or want to work on your German from the comfort of your own home. Some remote tutoring sites also offer cheap or even free German lessons.
However, it is important to do your research and make sure the site you choose is reliable and safe, as some have been known to ask for credit card details to sign up for free trial periods.
German language apps
There is no shortage of German language apps on the market, and a quick search will bring up everything from grammar guides to apps designed to help you learn German while you sleep. While some of these apps are free, most are paid.
They are a good option if you are looking for a quick and easy way to learn German. Selecting the right German language app for you can be a bit tricky, especially since there are so many different types of apps available. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right app for you:
- What are your long-term goals? Do you want to learn enough German to travel to a certain country, or are you hoping to reach an advanced level and use German in your work?
- Which features do you need? Do you want to be able to listen to audio, or would you rather read text? Maybe you want to be able to do both.
- Are there other features that might help you learn? For example, if you’re a visual learner, would an app that features images or videos be helpful?
- How much time do you have to study? It might be helpful to choose an app that lets you customize your study experience so you can focus on what you need most.
Intensive German language courses online
Ouino German
Ouino German is a well-structured grammar course with a plethora of extras that will keep you coming back for more. Ouino assists you in understanding German grammar without overwhelming you with detail.
Their goal appears to be to provide you with the most important information first, so you can begin using the language sooner. (There will be time to learn the finer points later.)
Along with the main “building blocks” section, there’s an entire section of the software dedicated to teaching you verbs and assisting you with conjugation practice using a variety of tools. There are also bonus sections with vocabulary, conversation examples, pronunciation practice, writing/listening practice, and other useful information.
Wunderbla
For years, I’ve been a big fan of the French version of this course, so having a German version is very exciting. Wunderbla is probably unlike anything you’ve tried before.
To begin, the lessons are delivered to you via email up to five days per week. Each lesson lasts 10 to 15 minutes and includes grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension activities. When you have completed your lesson, you “submit” it to receive your “correction” (again, via email).
The majority of your learning will take place during “corrections.” Whenever you make a mistake, there will be an amusing explanation. Corrections are frequently as entertaining as the lesson itself.
GermanPod101
If you want to learn German in the car, at the gym, or if you’re just a big fan of podcasts… GermanPod101 is without a doubt the most comprehensive source of German-teaching audio lessons.
Lessons are available at all levels, from beginner to advanced, and on a wide range of topics, so you can pick something that interests you.
It’s a monthly subscription service with different pricing levels depending on whether you want everything (line-by-line audio, additional exercises, flashcards) or just the podcasts. If you choose the audio-only membership, the monthly cost is about the same as a cappuccino — very reasonable.
Duolingo
Everyone’s favorite free German course is Duolingo. It’s essentially a massive language-learning game in which you complete exercises (fill in the blanks, translate the sentence) to advance through levels.
If you’re going abroad, it’s not much use as a crash course in German. For example, it takes several lessons to learn the basics of “my name is…” But if you’re in it for the long haul, you won’t mind starting with sentences like “The boy is a child.”
The grammar points at the beginning of each level are a welcome addition that helps you understand a bit of what you’re learning, but if you want a deeper understanding of the language, you might want to pick up a textbook or another language course.
The best German course
Whether you’re just starting or have been studying for years, there is a German language course out there for you. The best German language course for you will depend on your individual learning needs and preferences, as well as your long-term goals.
The best way to learn German is to immerse yourself in the language. Make sure to find a language course that is suitable for your language proficiency level and includes the features that work best for you.
Selecting the best German language course for you is the first step towards fluency in the language.
