How to Learn German - 7 Tips for Learning German the Easy Way

Some years ago, while lost in a small town in Croatia, I ran into an elderly lady and decided to ask her for some directions to our hotel. Unfortunately, I didn't speak Croatian, and she didn't speak any English. So, I decided to give it a try... "Sprechen Sie Deutsch?" I'll never forget that conversation! My German was terrible,
and to tell you the truth, the old lady didn't speak it very well either... but we managed to communicate well enough, and I soon found my way to the hotel. What a thrill it was!
Well, no matter why you're interested in learning German, (for travel, business, or just for fun), I can assure you that it is a real thrill when you can successfully communicate in this wonderful language.

The Biggest Challenge for Learning German
As you start out learning any language, the biggest challenge is simply the unknown. You don't know the grammar rules, you don't know the words, and often you won't even recognize the letters. On top of that, you're faced with a plethora of learning materials... books, CDs, DVDs, courses, classes, and all kinds of dictionaries. Where do you begin?
Thankfully, there are some proven strategies for cutting through the confusion and learning German in a step-by-step manner that is both enjoyable and successful.

Tip #1--Be Consistent.
Find yourself a regular time-slot for your practice. Ideally, 30-60 minutes per day. Naturally, daily practice isn't possible for everyone, so just find what works for you. Remember that a small amount done regularly is more effective than one big session once a week.

Tip #2--Dive Straight In
The fastest way to start speaking German is... to start speaking German! Actually, this isn't as silly as it sounds, and it is the first step I always recommend to any language student. Make a list of some of the common words you really want to know. Words such as hello, goodbye, yes, no and so forth. You will really get a lot of confidence from being able to say a handful of important words such as these and it will be the cornerstone of your German knowledge.

Tip #3--Learn the Alphabet
The next crucial step is to learn how to read and write, and for this you're going to need to know the alphabet. You should know how to pronounce each letter (and letter combinations), as well as how to say the name of each letter. This is very useful when asking someone to spell a word for you. Luckily, the German alphabet is almost identical to the English one, with a few additional letters. The pronunciation of many of the letters is slightly different however.

Tip #4--Learn More Phrases
Now that you can read the alphabet, you really will be able to spread your wings and learn a lot more words and phrases. Start off with a good phrase book and a two-way dictionary. These are great because you can work both ways--from English to German, and vice versa.

Tip #5--Learn the Rules
Now it is time to learn the grammar rules. Whilst most people think of grammar as the painful, tedious and difficult part of learning a language, I prefer to think of it in another way... When you understand the basic rules that govern the structure of the language, this will increase your ability to speak German faster than anything else! So, if you are interested in speaking German quickly... get on top of the essential grammar rules early, and you will be on your way!

Tip #6--Use It
This is where the fun really begins! If you haven't already done so, you should really be making every effort to use German in real situations. Try it out with your German friends. Try it out with your German classmates. Join an online language community and start chatting with German speakers. There really are countless opportunities.

Tip #7--Expand Your Horizons
Think outside the square... and have more fun with your German! Get yourself some German books. Watch German cartoons and movies. Best of all... take a trip to Germany! Nothing will test your skills more than being there, and hearing it all around you. I highly recommend a trip during December, when the famous Christmas markets are on all over Germany. It's a truly wonderful experience.

Final Word
Above all, have fun while you're learning! If you start feeling overwhelmed--stop and come back to it tomorrow. Or try changing your routine a little to make things more interesting. Hopefully, you will now be well on your way to learning German! Good luck and have fun with this wonderful language!

Steve Galvin is a language teacher and owner of leading German site http://www.easygermanlanguage.com, which is packed with free resources for anyone wanting to speak German the fun, fast and easy way. Check out the website for many more great tips on the best way to learn German.

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