It is no secret that grammar and reading comprehension are two of the most critical aspects of learning any language. After all, these skills allow you to communicate effectively and understand what others are saying.
That being said, many people struggle with these concepts when learning German. This can be because German grammar is notoriously complicated. In addition, the German language has many different dialects, making comprehending native speakers difficult.
Thankfully, there are multifarious ways you can do to improve your grammar and reading comprehension. By following these valuable tips, you will be well on your way to becoming a proficient German speaker in no time!
Does Enrolling in a German Class Help?
There are numerous German courses available online that provide an in-depth look at the German language. While you can find plenty of free resources, enrolling in an actual class can be beneficial for the following reasons.
A structured timetable
You will have a designated time each week to focus on learning German. This can help to keep you motivated and on track. Additionally, your instructor can provide feedback on your progress and answer any questions you may have. Moreover, even if you have prior knowledge of the German language, a class can still be helpful to brush up on your skills.
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Personalized attention to improving German language skills
In a class setting, your instructor can tailor the material to your specific needs and goals. For example, if you are hoping to learn the German language for business purposes, the material will be geared towards that. Whereas, if you want to learn German for travel, the focus will be on phrases and vocabulary used in everyday conversation. Further, short courses are available for those who just want to learn the basics of the German language.
Interaction with other students
In addition to receiving personalized attention from your instructor, being in a course allows you to interact with other students. Interaction is beneficial as it allows you to practice your German aptitudes in a real-world setting. You can also make friends with people who share your interest in learning German!
What are Other Ways to Enhance Reading Comprehension?
Well, enrolling in German language lessons is the best bet. However, if you're not comfortable with this study pattern, there are some other ways that you can follow.
Use a German dictionary (Duden)
While taking new language courses, most German beginners get stuck on long words that most German people use in daily conversations. These words are made up by clubbing two, three and sometimes even four small words. In such a situation, most people start panicking, but if you have a Duden dictionary by your side, you can quickly decipher the meaning of such words.
Your general practice while understanding such words should be dividing them into sub-parts and then combining the meaning of each word. For example, the word "Wohnungsnotstand" is made up of three smaller words, "Wohnung," "Not," and "Stand." Now, if you divide the word and try to understand its meaning, it would be something like "the condition of not having a place to live" or "the state of being homeless."
Listen to German audiobooks or podcasts
There are basic, intermediate, upper intermediate, and professional German-level audiobooks or podcasts available on the internet. If you've just started to learn German, you can go with German podcasts for beginners, where the words, idioms, and phrases will be very easy to understand and follow.
Contrastingly, if you're already proficient in the German language, you can choose to listen to upper-level audiobooks or podcasts, where the topics will be a bit more challenging. Moreover, while listening, you can also take notes of new words, phrases, and idioms that the speaker is speaking, and then look them up later to learn their meaning. Therefore, all three skills, i.e. reading, writing and listening, will be in use at this step, meaning that your comprehension will definitely improve.
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Watch German movies and TV shows (keep subtitles on)
Start by watching movies and TV shows that are easy to follow, such as kids' shows or comedies. As you get more comfortable understanding German, you can move on to more challenging material, such as dramas or news programs.
Whenever you discover a word or phrase you don't understand, pause the video and look it up in a dictionary. You can also try to figure out the meaning from context clues by rewinding and watching the scene again. By doing this regularly, you will gradually build up your vocabulary and be able to understand more and more of what you hear.
Start reading German books and newspapers
Reading as much German as possible is a great way to improve your German language. This doesn't mean that you should read only easy or intermediate material. Try to find books and articles that interest you, even if they are challenging. In addition to printed material, many online resources are available, such as German news websites and blogs. As you read more and more in German, you will find that it becomes easier to understand the language.
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Use interaction platforms
To interact with German natives, you can use online platforms or apps, such as Babbel, HelloTalk, and Tandem. On these platforms, you can find German speakers who are also interested in learning your native language. You can then chat with them and practise your German aptitude!
Moreover, you can even find a university that offers courses in German conversation. Participants join together in pairs or small groups to practise their German skills. This is a great way to meet new people and make friends while improving your German.
Focus on slangs
Learning slang in German is the most intensive level; it can take weeks for students to get the hang of it. But once you do, you'll sound like a local in no time. A few examples of such slang are as follows:
- Angeber – show-off
- Backpfeifen – slap in the face
- Drecksau – trash
Once you've got the standard information of different languages, it becomes way easier to grab the slang and use them like a pro!
Read out text aloud
This is an effortless but often overlooked tip. When you're reading in German, read the text out loud. This will allow the brain to better process the language and improve your pronunciation. In addition, hearing yourself speak will also help you to catch any errors that you might be making.
If you don't feel comfortable reading out loud by yourself, you can find a partner to practise with. You can fix turns reading passages from a book or article aloud to each other. As you become more confident with your speaking skillfulness, you can move on to having conversations in German.
Practise writing in German
Writing in German initially seems daunting, but it doesn't have to be! A great way to start is by keeping a journal in German. You can write about your day, thoughts, or anything else. If you're floundering to think of what to write, you can find prompts online or in German language learning books.
Another way to practise writing in German is by sending messages to your friends who also speak the language. Instead of sending everyday English texts, take the opportunity to write a few sentences in German. Or, while takings German lessons, you can ask your tutor to provide you with workbooks and other study material that can help you read German fluently. By following this attention to details approach, you'll reach an advanced German course level in no time.
Take German classes
Taking German classes is one of the most effective ways to learn the language. In a classroom setting, you will have the opportunity to practise your speaking, writing, and listening skills with a native German speaker. Your teacher will also be able to answer any questions that you have about the language.
In addition, you will be surrounded by other students who are also learning German. Therefore, the number of hours you spend in the class will be used most efficiently. There will be set hours for you to practice and a few dates on which your exams will be conducted.
Superprof - The Perfect Partner of German Learners
Are you pondering How to learn German at home? Don't stress anymore. Superprof is the perfect answer to your question. This most reputable website has a plethora of native German tutors. Whether you are searching for German classes for beginners or advanced level lessons, Superprof has it all.
What's more, you can take German classes online from the comfort of your home. Moreover, you can choose your preferred time, be it morning or evening. The options are comprehensive on Superprof, making it an ideal platform for all learners.
When choosing a tutor, you can verify all information about the tutor, such as their customer feedback rating, hourly rate, qualifications, and teaching experience. Also, you can check if they are available for short-term or long-term classes.
Once you have verified all details and have found the perfect tutor, book a free trial lesson to test the waters and see if they are the right fit for you. After that, you can continue with regular lessons at an affordable price. Furthermore, you don't have to stress about the class material while choosing the course. Superprof tutors design a personalized course for you, depending on your German level and goals.
So what are you waiting for? Register now on Superprof and find the best German tutor for you!
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