How to Learn German

A practical, science-backed guide

Learning German opens the door to exciting new experiences. Maybe you want to study or work in a German-speaking country, or you simply love the German language and culture. No matter the reason, learning German is always a good idea! But where should you start?
If you’re not sure how to begin, don’t worry, here are some simple and effective steps to guide your German learning journey.

1.  Why learning German is worth it

There are many reasons why you should learn the German language:

• Germany is the second-largest exporter in the world, with an economy ranked fourth globally and first in Europe. German businesses are very important in global trade, particularly in sectors like engineering, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles.
• German is the language behind many of the most important works in philosophy, literature, music, science, and art. Think of names like Goethe, Kafka, Nietzsche, Freud, Einstein, Kant, and composers like Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven; they all spoke and created in German. Learning German connects you to a rich cultural and intellectual tradition.
• You can travel more freely in nations like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland if you know German. Additionally, it allows you to interact with people more meaningfully and have a deeper understanding of local culture.

 2. German isn’t that hard

Many people believe that learning German is challenging because of its long words, unfamiliar characters, and complex grammar. However, the truth is more balanced. Thanks to its phonetic nature, German pronunciation is surprisingly consistent most words are pronounced exactly as they are written. Once you understand how each letter and combination sounds, reading and speaking become much easier than in English or French.

Only six tenses:

• With only six tenses, German is comparatively limited in this area compared to English, which seems to have an endless stream of tenses when something happened, has happened, was occurring, or would have been about to happen!

Regular patterns of verb conjugation:

• Although conjugations can be first confusing common verbs follow a similar pattern, making them often simple to learn.
  For instance, you will understand how all regular verbs are created in tenses such as the present, past, future, etc. once you have mastered conjugating regular verbs. After that, you just need to commit the irregulars to memory!

Proper pronunciation:

• In contrast to English, which has a lot of silent starts, middles, and ends, German has every letter said! You can pronounce words correctly once you know the alphabet and a few special letter combinations.

In reality, compound nouns are simple:

• You’ve probably seen scary-looking German words like Lebensversicherungsgesellschaften and thought, “Nope, not for me!”
  But here’s the secret: German just loves sticking words together.
• Instead of inventing new terms, it combines smaller ones like life (Leben), insurance (Versicherung), and company (Gesellschaft) into one big word. Sounds intense, but it actually helps! You can often guess the meaning even if it’s your first time seeing the word.

Unlimited educational materials:

• There are many resources available to study German because it is a popular language around the globe. With this level of accessibility, creating a study schedule that you can follow will be simple, and you'll see results more quickly.

3. Make a plan first: set realistic goals

When you start learning a new language, it may feel slow at first. But you can change this. If you have a strong plan and avoid studying randomly, you can learn faster. 

If you already have some knowledge of German and want to know your level, you can take the test at this link to check your German level.

• Short-term goals can be things like learning 10 new words a day or practicing speaking at least 1 hour every week. Because these goals are personal, you will also be able to track your own progress closely.
• For long-term goals, you can aim to reach the B1 level in 6 months or express yourself in German comfortably. These goals can change depending on your progress, and you can set them based on what works best for you.

What is the CEFR?

• The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is a system that helps describe how well someone can use a foreign language. It has 6 levels, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (advanced). These levels show what a person can do in a language, like speaking, writing, listening, and reading.

  CEFR Levels:

• A1 – Beginner: You can say simple things about yourself and ask basic questions.
• A2 – Elementary: You can talk about everyday topics like family, shopping, or work in simple sentences.
• B1 – Intermediate: You can handle travel, daily life, and talk about plans or past experiences.
• B2 – Upper-Intermediate: You can join longer conversations and explain your opinions in detail.
• C1 – Advanced: You can speak fluently and understand complex topics in work or studies.
• C2 – Proficient: You can understand everything easily and speak clearly, even about deep or abstract ideas.

• It helps teachers, students, and schools have a clear standard for language learning and testing. If you're learning German (or any language), CEFR levels help you track your progress clearly.
• You can check the CEFR levels in detail at this link.

4. Include German in your daily activities

One of the best ways to learn a language is to include yourself in everything where the language is used. Acting like a German speaker and doing the things they do in daily life helps you learn faster and more easily.

Best ways to include German in your daily life:

• Watch German series, films, and YouTube channels
• Listen to German podcasts and songs
• Read German news and simple short stories
• Talk with German-speaking people around you, if possible
• Try to hear, read, or speak a little German every day

German learning recommendations:

• YouTube channels to help you learn German: Goethe-Institut
• German podcast channels: Coffee Break German, Easy German Podcast.
• German series and films: Dark, Babylon Berlin, The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen).
• German music recommendations: Mark Forster, Lotte, Rammstein.
• German blogs and websites: Goethe-Institut, BBC.

5. Speak as early as possible

Speaking is one of the most effective ways to learn German, even if it feels scary at first. Grammar and vocabulary are important, but real progress happens when you use the language in real conversations. 

At coLanguage, speaking is not just an extra activity; it’s at the heart of how we teach. Our conversation classes are based on real-life situations, so you can learn by speaking, not just by studying. Whether you’re a complete beginner or already have some knowledge, we use easy sentence patterns, simple vocabulary, and lots of practice to help you feel confident.

You don’t need to be perfect to start speaking. With the support of a personal teacher at coLanguage, you’ll get helpful feedback, stay motivated, and improve faster.

Now is the time to start talking. You will develop more quickly if you start early!

6. Learn better with a real teacher

Learning a language on your own can feel confusing. You may not know where to start, and too many books can make you feel lost. Taking lessons with a professional teacher and following their plan will save you a lot of stress. You won’t need to spend time searching for what to study next; your teacher will guide you. This way, you can fully focus on learning because you’ll have someone who creates the best path just for you.

Learning with a teacher makes a big difference:

• Unlike a traditional language course, online lessons give you flexibility. You can choose lesson times that fit your schedule and join classes from anywhere. If you have a busy life, this means you won’t have to stress about finding time to study; you learn when it works best for you.
• Mistakes are a valuable part of the learning process. Having a teacher who can notice and correct your grammar and pronunciation mistakes helps you learn faster. A good teacher gives you feedback and helps you avoid making the same mistakes again, which keeps you motivated.
• At coLanguage, we choose qualified and experienced teachers to guide you through conversation-based lessons. With helpful teachers and flexible online learning, you can make steady progress and feel confident in your learning journey.

7. Discover the culture while you learn

When you start learning a language, you also learn the culture that comes with it. German is a great example of this; the country has influenced the world in art, music, science, and philosophy.

People around the world know Germans as punctual and organized. These cultural traits are also reflected in the German language.

Events like Oktoberfest and the Berlin Film Festival, and traditional things like German bread and beer, make learning the language more fun. Learning about a culture helps you understand and feel the language better. It also makes the learning process easier and more enjoyable.

8. Stay consistent and celebrate progress

Consistency and regular review help your brain remember better and prevent forgetting. You don’t need to study a lot; just 15–20 minutes a day can make a big difference in your learning progress. Instead of thinking “How can 15 minutes help?”, try to believe in the power of small but regular practice.

Stay focused and keep going:

• Small successes build confidence: Set small goals for yourself to make learning feel easier and more rewarding.
• Repeat what you learn: For example, review 20 new words every day. This will help move them into your long-term memory.
  Soon, you’ll notice you remember them, and that will motivate you to learn even more.
• Celebrate your progress: Giving yourself credit for reaching a goal keeps your motivation strong.
• Recognize small wins: Things like expressing yourself clearly, understanding someone in a short conversation, or singing along to a German song are all worth celebrating.

With coLanguage, you’ll never be alone on your learning journey. You can choose flexible lesson times that fit your busy lifestyle, so you don’t have to follow boring rules or traditional methods.

With the support of qualified teachers and interactive, social lessons, you can keep learning even if you’re very busy. Short reviews and well-prepared materials will help you make the most of your time and learn in the most effective way.

9. Your German journey starts now

Learning a new language is a marathon, not a sprint. Progress may feel slow at times, but with regular steps, you can go a long way. Small goals are always the foundation of big success.

Starting this journey with coLanguage: 

• You get a personalized learning plan that fits your own pace and schedule learn anytime, anywhere.
• With real-life topics and social content, you can build strong speaking skills. Our experienced teachers follow your progress closely and support you with lessons made just for you.
• Let today be the day you take action and set your first goal. Now is the perfect time to start learning German.
• Sign up at coLanguage and begin your language journey today!